Fitting outdoor plug help needed

[Deano3]

Hi everyone I need a little help I recently purchased a outdoor double switched RCD protected 13A socket, I have done various bits like changed all my light fittings and plugs etc but never added a socket, I am putting outside directly through the wall under my kitchen cabnet were the washer plug is, I can fit it no problem just have a few questions I am unsure of, I think I wil need it checked and signed off aftr fitting is this correct ?

its mainly for grass cutter and chrimbo decorations etc, I am unsure what wire I will need to run to the socket ?and does it just link into the back of an original socket like the washer one ?

also what size hole you recommend drilling to feed the wire through ?

thanks dean

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Given your uncertainty about the basics (and the fact that the work is notifiable as you correctly think) you will be much better off getting an electrician (who can self-certify their work) to do the job. If it is as straightforward as it sounds it'll be £100 or so for the whole job including testing and building regs notification- your local building control will charge you £200 for the inspection alone if you DIY.

Stuff to consider.
Is the socket you are planning to connect to on a ring final or radial or is it spurred off a ring final?
Is the circuit already protected by an RCD?
Are there any other services (water, gas, electric) in the wall where you plan to drill through?
It is a really good plan (when adding an external socket to an existing circuit) to include a double pole isolator inside (so if a fault develops on the outside socket you can isolate it easily).

 

[securespark]

Take care that the WM socket under the top is not switched via a DP switch above. If so, if you need to have your WM socket isolated, your outside socket will go out with it.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The work is not notifiable, but you should be able to do the checks and tests that an electrician would do.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

The work is not notifiable, but you should be able to do the checks and tests that an electrician would do.

I sit corrected- just had a scoosh through Part P and it appears that the chunks about 'outside' and 'outbuildings' have disappeared- the emphasis is on bathrooms and rooms containing swimming pools or saunas...... so OP you can DIY your outside socket. 2.5mm T & E cable (or 3 core 2.5mm flex) would do the job, min 10mm diameter hole, sloping to the outside. Neater way (especially if you have cavity walls) is to do a 15mm hole and use some conduit. Check that the washing machine socket isn't a spur.

 

[Deano3]

Thanks for the time to look and reply its greatly appreciated, forslt the socket is a BG double switched RCD protected 13AOutdoor socket, i am good at diy and could fit it etc no problem just the electics side i am always very weary and carefull, if i ever fo electrics i always switch of the main supply not just the individual circuits,

So i can fit and wont need to be signed off ? I changed lots of my single sockets to double when moved on the ones what fot over the single and turb ibto a double along woth changing the light switches and has all worked fine for 7 uears hopefully i dont need that signed off ? Also had electrician fot spot lights and extractor in bathroom but got no paperwork was that needed ?

Anyway back to socket the plug i am going to get the power from in behind the washer to the right of the sink when i looked i couldnt find any set distance it has to be from water pipes is that correct ?

And only thing i am unsure of is if the washer plug is a spur or what i may have to pull washer out to check but how would i know ?

And would i need isolator ?

And is the rcd sockets a lot better and would trip is shorted out etc

Thanks dean

 

[Doggit]

Give us a link to the item Dean. If it is the type that has an RCD that you plug in, then it's just a case of unwiring the outside unit, drilling a 10 or 15mm hole through the wall, plugging the rcd into an inside socket, and then refitting the outside unit. Make sure that the wire goes downwards outside so that no water drips back in, and use a dab of sealant in the hole that you've drilled. But if it's the type I think, and you fit it behind the washing machine, then you'd have to remove the WM before you can reset it if it trips.

B&Q isn't the type to sell outside units that will just act as a spur, but if you had an RCD on your consumer unit, then you could follow link it in as a spur to an existing socket.

 

[Deano3]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-rcd-double-outdoor-socket-brushed-steel-finish-13a/83535

Thats the one i purchased, i want to wire into back of the single plug what the washer okugs into so nice and neat

And would any of the work i have listed need to be signed off

Thanks again for help and advice

 

[ban-all-sheds]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-rcd-double-outdoor-socket-brushed-steel-finish-13a/83535

Thats the one i purchased,

Is the circuit already protected by an RCD?

i want to wire into back of the single plug what the washer okugs into so nice and neat

Is the socket you are planning to connect to on a ring final or radial or is it spurred off a ring final?

It is a really good plan (when adding an external socket to an existing circuit) to include a double pole isolator inside (so if a fault develops on the outside socket you can isolate it easily).

And would any of the work i have listed need to be signed off

The work is not notifiable, but you should be able to do the checks and tests that an electrician would do.

 

[winston1]

ed off a ring final?
Is the circuit already protected by an RCD?

Answer that question. If the answer is yes you bought the wrong unit. Two RCDs in line is silly and pointless.

 

[winston1]

And is the rcd sockets a lot better and would trip is shorted out etc

Thanks dean

NO. RCDs don't trip on overload. That is what fuses are for.

 

[winston1]

Anyway back to socket the plug i am going to get the power from in behind the washer to the right of the sink when i looked i couldnt find any set distance it has to be from water pipes is that correct ?

And only thing i am unsure of is if the washer plug is a spur or what i may have to pull washer out to check but how would i know ?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-rcd-double-outdoor-socket-brushed-steel-finish-13a/83535

Thats the one i purchased, i want to wire into back of the single plug what the washer okugs into so nice and neat

The thing you want to wire it to is a socket, not a plug.

 

[Deano3]

I knows it's a socket dont know why said plug, and not sure if akready RCD protected and not sure if if on ring or final conectiong or what, might return this socket until i remove the washer and check as dont want to waste 30 poind of already rcd protected, i know just looks like normal single socket what i want to join the wires to, and i thought the rcd was like a trip if a short in the wiring

Dean

 

[ban-all-sheds]

not sure if akready RCD protected

That's only an issue of 20 quid either way.

and not sure if if on ring or final conectiong or what

But that is an issue of can you connect another socket or not.

Given your uncertainty about the basics ... you will be much better off getting an electrician

 

[Deano3]

Is there a way to check if ring or final conecting etc by checking how many wires etc in rear of socket ? If not i will just get electrician next year at some point

And i juat thought could connect to any socket in the rear by juat adding in the waore to this plug
Thanks dean