If you need extra sockets in a new room or turn an old room into an office, it may not be possible to add extra sockets from your existing ring main. It is not particularly difficult to extend a ring main but you must remember that certain rules apply about the floor area and length of cable one ring main may serve and use.
How difficult is it to extend a ring main?
It is not particularly difficult to extend a ring main but you must remember that certain rules apply about the floor area and length of cable one ring main may serve and use. These rules can be found in our ring main project.
Can I add a spur to a ring main to extend?
Rather than adding a spur to a ring main to provide an additional socket outlet, it may be advantageous to extend the ring. 1. Plan for the new socket outlet
How can I extend a ring socket to another ring?
As you can see in the digram, this is done by inserting a longer length of cable between two of the sockets on the existing ring, allowing it to be routed and connected to the new socket on the way.
How many sockets can you have on a ring main?
There is no set limit to the number of sockets on a ring main as long as you stay within the rules mentioned above.
How do I extend my ring main cable?
1:123:37How to extend (add sockets to) a ring main - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHowever as this is in a brand new built-in wardrobe. We're just going to join these cables togetherMoreHowever as this is in a brand new built-in wardrobe. We're just going to join these cables together with the other leg. And put a black plate on it. Put a blank plate.
Can I add more sockets to a ring main?
Although you can increase the number of sockets in a room by converting single sockets to doubles, there may be times where you need an extra socket where none exist already. In this case, you'll need to add a spur from a ring circuit.
Can I use a junction box to extend a ring main?
Effectively you cut the wire on the ring feeding a new wire to socket via a juction box, then feed a wire from socket back to the other wire on the ring via a juntion box. Extending the ring gives you the option to extend in the future.
How do you extend an electrical ring?
4:5615:30EXTENDING SOCKET CIRCUITS - ADDING TO RING and ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipExtension. We will simply replace the socket with a blanking plate. Again we are going to extend theMoreExtension. We will simply replace the socket with a blanking plate. Again we are going to extend the cables in 2.5 millimeter twin and earth what we are doing is rerouting the circuit out of the wall.
How many sockets can you spur off a ring main?
oneYou can have one unfused spur per socket-outlet on a ring main or one fused spur per socket-outlet, you can have as many sockets as you like off of a fused spur.
Is there a limit to how many sockets on a ring main?
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. If you would like to know how to add a spur to an existing ring main, see our project on adding an extra socket.
Can you Spur 2 sockets off a ring main?
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.
Can you join ring main cable?
You can run a ring cable out from the existing socket point backing box, then on to the next socket, and so on, until you reach the last one, at which point you re-join to the ring, and you should use a MK 30Amp Junction Block that has been made specially to fit in an existing socket box.
Can Wago connectors be used on ring main?
Yes, but a few points need to be observed to make sure it complies with BS7671 IET 17th Edition. Firstly, the terminals must be installed in a Wagobox (when breaking into existing ring wiring).
How do I extend a mains socket?
0:0013:28How to move socket outlet . Extend socket outlet. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you have to it's got small levers you have to lift up delivers just slide in the cable. The wireMoreSo you have to it's got small levers you have to lift up delivers just slide in the cable. The wire you have to strip it about about one centimeter and slide in and put them deliver so it's tight.
Can you spur off a spur?
There is no problem in spurring off a fused spur (I think that's what you mean). The principle is you just need to protect the cable.
How easy is it to add extra plug sockets?
It can take around 1-2 hours to install a new plug socket. This time will increase if considerable new wiring is needed, or in the case of an extension will take a lot longer if the room hasn't yet been wired.
How do I add an extra socket?
0:4713:49DIY Adding An Additional Power socket UK Home - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we've got a power socket there. And i actually need to add another power socket in over there. SoMoreSo we've got a power socket there. And i actually need to add another power socket in over there. So my plan is to chase out this bit of wall. Because this is dabbed on the brick you see. So behind
Can you join ring main cable?
You can run a ring cable out from the existing socket point backing box, then on to the next socket, and so on, until you reach the last one, at which point you re-join to the ring, and you should use a MK 30Amp Junction Block that has been made specially to fit in an existing socket box.
How do I extend a mains socket?
0:0013:28How to move socket outlet . Extend socket outlet. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you have to it's got small levers you have to lift up delivers just slide in the cable. The wireMoreSo you have to it's got small levers you have to lift up delivers just slide in the cable. The wire you have to strip it about about one centimeter and slide in and put them deliver so it's tight.
How to make sure your electrical circuit is completely isolated?
Make sure the power is turned off and any circuits you are working on are completely isolated. See our electrical safety project.
Can you extend a ring main?
It is not particularly difficult to extend a ring main but you must remember that certain rules apply about the floor area and length of cable one ring main may serve and use. These rules can be found in our ring main project. These rules apply to spurs also.
Can you use a ring mains cable in a radial circuit?
Please also check the rules very carefully for ring mains and radial circuits. You are limited in the length of cable you are allowed to use in both circuits and long spurs could make you exceed the limit.
Adding the new cable
4. Fit the new socket box at the required position. The method for doing this will depend on whether it is a Surface Mounted Box, Flush Metal Box, or Plasterboard Box.
Connecting the cables to the new socket outlet
12. Do not twist conductors together before inserting them into the connection as this may damage them and can also cause problems when testing circuits.
Metal Boxes Only
17. If you have a metal box like the one shown here, an earth tail may be required. One must be fitted between a socket outlet and metal back box where both socket fixing lugs are adjustable. If this is what you have, cut a suitable length of the earth conductor from some cable of the same size as that used for the circuit.
Fixing the socket outlet
20. Double check that all your connections are to the correct terminals, and securely fastened.
Connecting the cables at both original sockets
24. Working on one at a time, remove the face plates of the two sockets between which you are extending the ring main. Slacken the retaining screws and ease the socket outlet away from the wall.
Fixing the original socket outlets
36. Double check your connections at both these sockets, and ease the face plates back to the boxes folding the cables carefully as you do so.
