Radial Circuit?

[ICTRich]

Hi Guys,

New to this forum, so appreciate any help that's given.

I am looking at putting my new 50in Plasma TV up on the wall and running 2x double sockets behind it. These will be used for the TV, A Router, Sky+ box plus a spare.

The wall I want to put it on currently has a double socket at floor level. This socket is wired direct into a B20MCB in the CU. This is the only socket. All other sockets are on a 32a ring.

Am I right in thinking that I can just run another socket using 2.5mm T&E cable from the existing one and then another from that new one?

Would this create a radial circuit and be safe?

Also, as the MCB is already there with a socket connected, Am I right in thinking I dont need to notify?

Thanks

Richard

 

[riveralt]

If it is a radial final circuit then you could do as you plan.
Just ensure that the new sockets run in the safe zone - if you don't know what that is look it up in wiki.
I assume the existing socket circuit is already protected by an RCD.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

If the circuit is protected by 20A MCB and this is the only power point on the circuit, it can be extended and you can installed a number of sockets.
Providing the room where the extended circuit is, is not in the bathroom, shower room or kitchen. It is unlikely to need notification. It will require 30mA RCD protection though.
As far as safety is concerned, that will be a matter of the method, route that the cable is installed and if the test results are satisfactory.

 

[ICTRich]

Thanks 4 quick replies!

Its in lounge. The CU has RCD in it. Will this protect all?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Thanks 4 quick replies!

Its in lounge. The CU has RCD in it. Will this protect all?

Providing the circuit is protected by the RCD, some boards are split and don,t protect all circuits.
Easy way to find out, is press test button on the RCD and see if the socket outlet in question, goes from being live to dead!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

• 
  
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcbtocable
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.3.1.htm (all subsections)
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.3.11.htm
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/cableselection_web.pdf
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Charts/VoltageDrop.html
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/5.3.1.htm
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcb2
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/8.1.1.htm
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part-p
  

 

[ICTRich]

Thanks again for replies.

The Rcd covers the mcb. Did the test button as suggested and the power to the socket was dead. Thats good.

I just wanted to make sure the RCD is suitable as im not sure from looking at it. It has nothing about 30a on it? Have added image.

RCD in CU

• ICTRich
• 12 Apr 2012
• 1

[/img]

 

[Chri5]

On the photo it has 80/ 0.03 the 0.03 is 30 mA.

Good to go.

 

[ICTRich]

Thanks everyone. Bought all bits, just need the tv to be delivered now!

When you add 2 double sockets, does it matter if the mounting boxes are side by side or on top and bottom? I plan for the sockets to be positioned with no gap so the boxes touch.

 

[RF Lighting]

No either is fine.

Don't have the boxes touching. Socket fronts are larger than the boxes, so will not fit if the boxes are touching.

Leave about a 25mm gap between them.

You can get proprietary box spacers here

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Or use these:

 

[RF Lighting]

I tend to use bushes and couplings. It keeps the boxes evenly spaced regardless of how many you're putting next to each other, and you can just use singles to link all the sockets together.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I was recently fitting studs to a kitchen wall to be boarded over, and on it are two socket outlets about 20cm apart.

They are supplied via conduit running vertically up to them from trunking at low level.

Can you tell me why when I installed them I used 4 lengths of tube - up to the first socket, down to the trunking, up to the second socket, down to the trunking, rather than up, across and down?

 

[RF Lighting]

1 x 25mm

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That would mean buying more conduit, more bushes, more couplers and a 25mm chassis punch.

And would use more cable.