Is this socket suitable for a spur

[PCAnimal]

HI,

I have a single socket in my hallway. I have removed the cover and the configuration shows:
2 Red wires going into the back of the socket
2 Black wires doing the same
and 2 earth wires.

I want to create a spur off this socket but was not sure if I could. My house was built 10 years ago and the electrics are in good order. This socket will simply power a TV in the attic.

I can send a pic if required.

 

[Synapse]

This would imply that the socket is part of the ring main (assuming you have a ring main and not a radial) and has no other spur.

This would be suitable for spurring a socket off.

 

[PCAnimal]

many thanks. Yes it is a ring main.

I suspected I could but was a bit nervous to take the plunge first. I just need to buy some twin and earth and I will be away. Are they any specific tests I should run once the cabling is installed ie safety checks?

 

[comms]

Are they any specific tests I should run once the cabling is installed ie safety checks?

continuity of ring (R1+R2)
insulation resistance
Zs
RCD test.

 

[Pensdown]

....and polarity

 

[streetlighter]

Or if you dont want to spend that much money on test gear then a plug in socket tester from B&Q for around ten quid will be a good investment.
Id also reccomend buying a voltage and continuity tester at the same time so you can test the supply is safely isolated.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Or if you dont want to spend that much money on test gear then a plug in socket tester from B&Q for around ten quid will be a good investment.

Maybe a tad more than a tenner: http://www.socketandsee.co.uk/socket_Tester.html

And some of their other testers look OK too.


Take a look at this: http://www.beha.com/files_d/sets/1333.pdf

Looks ideal for a household starter set - multimeter, voltage indicator and dedicated continuity tester, all in a handy case.

Couldn't find details of the set in English, but all 3 individual instruments are listed.

http://www.beha.com/files_uk/multimeter/93549.pdf

http://www.beha.com/files_uk/voltagetesters/6741.pdf

http://www.beha.com/files_uk/continuitytesters/9023.pdf


Also see another discussion here: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26282

 

[JohnD]

it might have wires coming in and wires going out, but how do you know it isn't already a spur with a spur on it?

If you test for continuity between the two reds, the two blacks (and the two earths but there may be parallel paths) that will give you more confidence.

If you measure the resistances between them and report back that will tell you a bit more (they will vary slightly).

It is quite difficult for an amateur to be sure what he is looking at if, as is usual, all the cables are out of sight.

 

[chunkymonkey]

the simple rule about spurs in sockets is this. if you look at the wires and there are only one set of wires then it is already a spur being fed from another socket and you can not or should not run another from it. if there are two sets of wires then it is not a spur and you can run another socket from it.

 

[JohnD]

if there are two sets of wires then it is not a spur

This is NOT NECESSARILY TRUE

and therefore neither is

you can run another socket from it.

that's why I described the continuity test required