Fitting Extra Sockets

You can add a new socket to the circuit by connecting a length of 2.5mm² two-core-and-earth cable to the terminals of an existing socket, provided that the socket is not on a spur itself or already feeding a spur.

To avoid long cable runs, mount the new socket on the wall directly behind an existing socket in the next room.

• If you want a new socket on the opposite side of the room, run the spur cable under the floor. The new cable can rest on the floor or ceiling between joists or it can be secured to the side of a joist with plastic cable clips.
• If your new spur has to run across the line of joists, you will have to drill a series of 12mm(1/2in) holes through the joists. These holes must be 50mm (2in) below the tops of the joists to avoid floorboard nails.

Step 1

Before starting work, turn off the electricity using the main switch on the consumer unit.

Step 2

Remove the existing socket and box, then drill a hole for a short length of cable through the wall.

Step 3

Cut a recess for a flush box or fit a surface-mounted box on the other side. Punch out the cable-entry hole for the cable (fit a rubber grommet in a metal box to prevent chafing the cable) and screw the box in place.

Step 4

Strip a short length of sheathing off both ends of the spur cable, check that the bare earth wires are covered with green/yellow earth sleeving - if not, cut a piece of sleeving to length and thread it over the wires leaving about 12mm (1/2in) of each wire exposed.

Step 5

Connect the existing wires to the terminals in the new socket - red to the L-terminal, black to N-terminal and green/yellow to E-terminal.

When two or more identical wires are connected to a single terminal, they should be twisted together with pliers to ensure a good connection.

Make sure all the wires are held securely and that no bare wire is exposed.

At the other end, twist the new wires together with the matching wires from the ring main, and insert them in the terminals of the original socket on the other side of the wall.

Run longer spur cables along a wall inside plastic mini-trunking and connect them to surface-mounted sockets.

Whenever you are installing new cable runs, make sure you do not cut the cable too short - instead push the excess cable back into the wall or below the floor after you have connected the wires to their terminals.

Feeding a cable behind the skirting can be a problem. Decide where you want to mount the new socket and use a cordless drill fitted with an extra-long masonry bit to cut a channel behind the skirting board. Rake out the debris from behind the skirting with a cold chisel.