Adding a spur to ring mains

red eye · 19 May 2019 at 14:15

I want some sockets under the stairs for the modem, nest, hue and a switch.
I can do this two ways,
Easiest way is spur off cellar light circuit. I don’t really want to do this incase we sell up and new owner* plugs in a washing machine. (*new owner could also mean the wife)

So I’m going to spur off the adjacent room ring from the cellar or there’s a plug on the other side.

So cut the cable in the cellar and terminate all three cables in a junction box. Spur cable though the wall into the socket. I might get lucky and be able to pass the wire to the socket on the other side of the wall.
Cable will be 2x2.5+1.5 terminating in a 32amp junction box.

I think this is safe so is it safe and legal? This is my first house so I’d like to do as much as I can

Edit each box is 1amp x 3 so 5amps x 240=1200watts hmm that don’t seem right

Saytan · 19 May 2019 at 14:37

You're only allowed one socket on an unfused spur, though I believe it can be a 2-gang

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 19 May 2019 at 16:16

Just fuse it next to the new box imho
All the fused spur does is mean that if someone does plug something heavy usage in the fuse will go. It seems a hell of an advantage vs the minimal cost and hastle of doing this.

bremen1874 · 19 May 2019 at 16:35

A fused spur and then multiple sockets, so you can plug in all of the devices directly, is what I'd do.

That assumes it isn't possible to break and remake the ring with the new sockets added.

Lord-Jaffa · 20 May 2019 at 00:18

Don't take it off the lighting circuit!

LuckyBenski · 20 May 2019 at 02:41

Lord-Jaffa said:
Don't take it off the lighting circuit!

Seconded. I have my broadband modem and router wired into a lighting rose as it needed to be in the hall and high up. There are literally no 13A sockets on that floor of the hallway.

It's stupid and I worry about it with two housemates, let alone would I consider leaving it when I move out.

Edit: I did wire out the light switches and put a switched 13A socket on so it can be turned off...

bremen1874 · 20 May 2019 at 10:41

Connecting to the lighting circuit isn't going to be inherantly dangerous as long as you don't mess with the protection for the circuit.

The load from the network equipment is typically going to be less than an incandescent bulb. If you try to connect something that pulls too much current the breaker/fuse will do its thing.

I wouldn't choose to do it. If I did I would clearly label the socket to tell people it isn't connected to where you'd expect. Using a 5A socket to avoid any chance of confusion could be an option.

Lopéz · 20 May 2019 at 13:16

bremen1874 said:
Connecting to the lighting circuit isn't going to be inherantly dangerous as long as you don't mess with the protection for the circuit.

It's not great when someone goes to fit a new socket and turns off the socket ring only to get a shock because it's actually on the lighting circuit...

bremen1874 · 20 May 2019 at 13:24

Which is why I said it should be clearly labelled.

divuk83 · 20 May 2019 at 13:56

That would be making the assumption that people can read? Personally I wouldn't run it off the lighting circuit, spur it off the existing ring. It doesn't sound like it should be too tricky to do.

Dave

Orionaut · 21 May 2019 at 07:28

bremen1874 said:
Connecting to the lighting circuit isn't going to be inherantly dangerous as long as you don't mess with the protection for the circuit.

The load from the network equipment is typically going to be less than an incandescent bulb. If you try to connect something that pulls too much current the breaker/fuse will do its thing.

I wouldn't choose to do it. If I did I would clearly label the socket to tell people it isn't connected to where you'd expect. Using a 5A socket to avoid any chance of confusion could be an option.

Were I finding myself needing to do this. I would use a small round pin three pin socket and plug. These are still used on 5A lighting circuits for free standing lights in the posher houses and the different plug/socket type make it clear to anybody that this is not a "Power" outlet.

See https://www.toolstation.com/plug-top-round-3-pin-plug/p77325 and https://www.toolstation.com/axiom-round-3-pin-socket/p10080

(The plugs/sockets also come in even smaller sizes rated at 2A)

Adam · 21 May 2019 at 11:34

Orionaut said:
Were I finding myself needing to do this. I would use a small round pin three pin socket and plug. These are still used on 5A lighting circuits for free standing lights in the posher houses and the different plug/socket type make it clear to anybody that this is not a "Power" outlet.

See https://www.toolstation.com/plug-top-round-3-pin-plug/p77325 and https://www.toolstation.com/axiom-round-3-pin-socket/p10080

(The plugs/sockets also come in even smaller sizes rated at 2A)

That's a fantastic practical solution. Perhaps add a fused spur next to it to be on the safe side.