How do I change a single socket to a double?

If you are swapping a single socket for a double, remove all the wiring from the old socket. If you plan to spur a new socket from this one, run wire back from the new sockets position under floorboards or through conduit along a wall.

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Also question is, how many Spurs can you take off one socket?

A spur can be connected to an existing socket, on either a ring main or a radial circuit, providing that socket does not already have a spur. That is only one spur per socket is allowed and the number of spurs must not exceed the number of sockets.

Beside above, who is allowed to replace a plug or socket? Plugs and extension cord sockets may be replaced by a non-electrically trained person, provided the person has been trained and found competent to fit plugs and sockets according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Consequently, how do you extend a double socket?

Isolate the circuit and use a voltage tester to double check that the existing socket is dead.
Unscrew the faceplate of the new socket, feed the cable into the mounting box through a rubber grommet and connect its cores to the faceplate terminals.
Cut the cable and do the same at the existing socket.

How much does it cost to replace a plug socket?

Sockets & switches prices

Electrical Job	Price Range
Sockets supply and fit	£50 – £70
Sockets replace	£30 – £50
Downlighters supply and fit	£40 – £60
Relocate switches	£50 – £80

27 Related Question Answers Found

Is it easy to replace a plug socket?

If your socket is flush-mounted, it's very easy to replace it with a surface-mounted double socket. You can either get a special socket conversion box to help you do this, or use a standard double socket and drill and plug the wall (as shown here).

How do you test an electrical socket?

Set a multimeter to measure voltage. Insert a probe into each slot to measure the line voltage. A properly working outlet gives a reading of 110 to 120 volts. If there is no reading, check the wiring and the outlet.

Should you use plug socket covers?

The use of covers negates existing safety measures in the form of protective shutters, exposing the live electrical contacts. Covers can come loose or be easily removed by children, resulting in risk of electrocution. Covers can also damage the socket, which may lead to overheating and risk of fire.

How do you remove an electrical socket?

Removal. Once the socket is no longer live, remove the socket cover plate (usually held in place with a flat-head, counter-sunk screw). This exposes the socket and electrical box. Just to be extra safe, touch the tester one more time to the connections at the side of the socket where the wires plug in.

How do you plug a socket into the earth?

An earth conductor insulated with green and yellow sleeving should be fitted between the earth terminal of the socket and the earth terminal of metal back boxes so that the metal box is earthed. Screw holding the faceplate to the metal backbox are not a reliable means of earthing the box.

Where is the fuse in a socket?

Fused Sockets

They will have a rectangular cover in the socket faceplate which holds the fuse inside the socket and as a notch at one end. You get at the fuse by levering it out (carefully!) with a screwdriver in that notch.

Can I use 1.5 mm cable for sockets?

The cross sectional area of the earth wire in a 1.5mm cable is 1mm and in a 2.5mm cable it is 1.5mm. This should be sufficient for most domestic socket and lighting circuits.

Can I have two double sockets on a spur?

As said above the installation of two unfused spurs (to a maximum of one double socket or fused spur each) from one socket on a ring is allowable and so is taking three branches off a radial circuit from one socket, so the arrangement could be OK but only identifying what is connected to these cable could ensure that.

Can I spur a double socket off a single?

A non-fused spur can only feed 1 double or single socket outlet or one permanently connected item of electrical equipment.

Can I use 2.5 mm cable for lighting?

You can use 2.5 mm² cable of course. In large buildings sometimes 4 or 6 mm² cable is used on the feeder runs, and near the light fittings the cables are branched off in J-boxes to 1.5 mm² to go to the light fittings, to compensate for voltage drop. These light circuits are often controlled through contactors.

Can I spur off a spur?

And you need to be certain that any point that you intend to take a spur from is actually part of a ring and not a spur already. Spurring off spurs is a no - particularly in a kitchen where the loading on sockets will be higher than anywhere else in a house.

How many sockets can be on a 32a Ring Main?

Osg says that a socket circuit's diversity is calculated as 100% of maximum point of utilization,then 40% of remaining points. To me that means the max sockets you can have for a 32a ring would be only be 4 sockets!!!!!

Can you put a socket on a lighting circuit?

Putting a 13A socket on a lighting circuit is not expicilty prohibited. However there are a couple of things to bear in mind. Lighting circuits are normally on a 6A breaker, plugging in a large appliance my trip the breaker. Sockets intended for general use with a current rating must be RCD protected.

How many sockets can be on a ring main?

The cable itself can be up to 60 meters long if it is protected by a cartridge fuse and 50 meters long if protected by an MCB. There is no limit to the number of sockets you can have on a ring main but there is a limit to the number of spurs you can have from those sockets or from the wiring between them.

Can you spur a light off a socket?

If you are just spurring one single or one double socket off the ring there is no need for a fused spur/fcu. If taking the new light from the lighting circuit,which is the preffered option, there is no need for a fused spur/fcu.

How do I know if my socket is on the Ring Main?

Break the circuit at the socket in question. Check for continuity between the two line conductors. If continuity is present, it's likely to be on the ring (could be on a figure of 8 loop). To confirm, remove the line conductors at the board.