Installation of Indoor and Outdoor Power Sockets
While there are extension cables and adapters available, there are times when an additional power socket is necessary for your home.
With many of us using more and more devices, you may find that you need to increase the number of power sockets in certain rooms of your home or you need an outdoor socket.
This work should be left strictly in the hands of a professional, but here we’ll explore what you can expect with this type of project.
The Importance of Safety
Although you may have developed some significant DIY skills, it is vital to recognise the importance of safety when installing new power sockets.
All electrical products are mandated to be installed in accordance with Building Regulations for your safety. For this reason, you should consult a competent electrician who is registered with an appropriate self certification scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT.
You should never take any risks with electrical safety, an electrician will need to switch off the main power, so it is a good idea to locate your fuse box or consumer unit before your appointment to save time.
It may be possible to switch off the appropriate breaker, and your electrician will use a socket tester to check that the circuit is dead before they begin work.
Adding a Spur to a Ring Circuit
The most common way to install a new power socket is to run a spur cable from an existing socket to connect it to the ring circuit. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.
The IEE Wiring Regulations insist that a spur should not be run from a socket already on a spur, or already supplying a spur.
Additionally, the new socket should not extend the area currently served by the circuit beyond 100 square metres.
If it is possible to run a spur from an existing socket, your electrician will need to assess the restrictions on each main circuit.
A 30/32 amp circuit can supply a maximum 100 square metre area, but since certain rooms, such as kitchens are often heavily loaded, you should avoid using sockets in these rooms to create the spur.
Your electrician will need to calculate the floor area of the circuit and ensure that it complies with regulations.
The process of running the spur involves running 2.5 millimetre cable from the new power socket to an existing socket. Your electrician will need to feed the cables through the mounting box of both sockets and if you’re using metal faceplates, install a short earth core cable.
If this is not possible, your electrician may need to add a spur from your junction box.
This involves connecting cable to the main circuit cable, which can be more disruptive as your electrician will need access to several areas of your home.
Consider Energy Saving Options
Finally, you may wish to consider energy saving options. There are intelligent multi socket adaptors available with one “master” and additional “slave” sockets.
This type of adapter detects the master socket is off and switches off the additional slave sockets automatically, saving energy. Our recommended electricians would be happy to explain these types of energy saving options to ensure it is the right choice for your home.
If you’d like to speak to them about that you can find our recommended electrician nearest to you here.
Need New Power Sockets Installed?
Popular Local Electricians
Need New Power Sockets Installed?
Recent Reviews About The Electricians
Absolutely brilliant got our electricity back up and working price was excellent, will be getting him back to sort the wiring out in our conservatory. Definitely recommend Edmonds Electrical.
Hugh Jordan
Highly recommend Perry. Arrived when he said he would, offered good advice and great work. Will definitely be using for all our future jobs!
Dave
I highly recommend Perry for all your electrical needs. Has done several jobs for us and has always done a great job at a competitive price. Genuine lovely guy and nothing is too much trouble.
Jo W.
Definitely recommend Perry. He came on time and changed 6 down lights and a plug plus fixed my outside lights which were shorting. All done in one morning.
Beaumont
I have used Perry for several jobs now, ranging from work in a new build through to existing renovations. Perry has been excellent throughout, helping to advise on what would look/ work best, and then carrying out the work to an extremely high standard. He communicates well and is always punctual when completing work. I have recommended him to family and friends, and will continue to do so.
Pete
Perry Newman is very polite and courteous and knows his stuff. He installed all new LED lighting in our home. Very Professional and cleaned up brilliantly after he finished. Would recommend him every time.
Steve
Great guy
Tony
Extremely reliable service. Perry uses his electric expertise to come up with innovative solutions. Highly recommended.
Emily
I can highly recommend Perry for any electrical work. Very professional, works to a high standard, reasonable prices and a great guy to boot. Can not fault any work he has done for us. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Jo B.
We have been using Perry for a number of months now and we find him to be knowledgable, very courteous with our customers, very accommodating and an excellent electrician. We would definitely recommend Perry for any of your electrical needs be it big or small.
Joe
Not only a knowledgeable electrician but trustworthy and reliable. Very neat and tidy work. Thoroughly recommend.
Madeline
Great service, good price, more than satisfied with the work carried out
Adam Devlin
Very happy with Neil Allan from NGA Electrical Services. Professional, courteous and reliable service. I would Highly recommend NGA Electrical Service.
David Finlay
Very swift response and rectified fault quickly.
Will H
Good service
Jane
Excellent Service! Had a problem when all my lights fused - called Ryan late Tuesday afternoon and he was able to visit the following afternoon. Diagnosed a faulty light and wiring in the bathroom. Replaced that light and wiring, also did a couple of upgrades to the fusebox and another existing light. Very happy with both the price, the explanations for the layman, and the quality of the work. Will be arranging for Ryan to attend again as we do have some more upgrades required Highly recommended
Darren
Great! Will definitely use again
Cash Shop
Excellent service friendly chaps would highly recommend.
Ian Hunter
Very impressed with the prompt and efficient service at short notice on a Saturday to fix my bathroom light .My daughter called Dan at 9am and Mate was here before 11am and sorted the repair very quickly and was very helpful . Highly recommended.
Maureen Hide
Very responsive to an emergency need after flooding tripped a fuse, came within the hour of an evening and everything was sorted quickly, professionally and with good value for money! I was able to show the issue by photo in advance to speed up the process too.
Chandru
My Trusted Expert Guarantee
Experts Have Been Vetted & Certified