Any sparkeys

tigerstyle · 27 Jan 2013 at 09:32

three double gangs would've looked better.
perhaps a higher quality of socket too.
but it's not that bad!

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 09:49

It's under the desk on the back so won't be seen that much. Wait till you see the desk

Traffic_Warden · 27 Jan 2013 at 10:20

The washers go on the inside of the metal clad box, then secured down tightly with a metal bush using a bush-king spanner. If it is a painted metal clad box for example, the bush on it's own will not give you any earth at all. the serrated edges of the washer dig into the paint and provide the linking earth. You wouldn't need to earth each box from the socket if you did this, just the first box.

Of course, for good practice it is good to earth each box, and that is how it should be done IMO(but doesn't have to be). I like to earth each box individually as if an earth cable comes out of the first/second/third socket, the rest of the boxes will not be earthed. Doing both ways is a a bit of a "fail safe". If one way doesn't work, at least the current will pass through the boxes and find the nearest earth.

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 11:20

Traffic_Warden said:
The washers go on the inside of the metal clad box, then secured down tightly with a metal bush using a bush-king spanner. If it is a painted metal clad box for example, the bush on it's own will not give you any earth at all. the serrated edges of the washer dig into the paint and provide the linking earth. You wouldn't need to earth each box from the socket if you did this, just the first box.

Of course, for good practice it is good to earth each box, and that is how it should be done IMO(but doesn't have to be). I like to earth each box individually as if an earth cable comes out of the first/second/third socket, the rest of the boxes will not be earthed. Doing both ways is a a bit of a "fail safe". If one way doesn't work, at least the current will pass through the boxes and find the nearest earth.

Ah ha. I might grab some just to do it right. It's metal after all!!!!

What size earth cable to link each one do you recommend? I will be using 2.5mm 3 core linking each socket anyway

Traffic_Warden · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:32

Where are you getting the supply from for these sockets? Cable Size & Length, MCB/RCBO size? Radial Circuit, Ring Circuit, Spur?

tigerstyle · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:33

pyropetepete said:
Ah ha. I might grab some just to do it right. It's metal after all!!!!

You wont need the washers as your boxes aren't painted, just follow the diagram of the wiring above (in the thread) and put a 2.5MM earth wire from each of the little clamp screws in each socket into the earth wiring.
So that's from every socket into the wiring, that way you don't rely on the bushes to provide the earth link.

Traffic_Warden · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:36

You wont need the washers as your boxes aren't painted.

Might powder coat them.

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 14:25

Traffic_Warden said:
Where are you getting the supply from for these sockets? Cable Size & Length, MCB/RCBO size? Radial Circuit, Ring Circuit, Spur?

2m of cable. Std home wall socket is the supply with a normal 3 pin plug on it.

All this is a DIY mains extension. Nothin more

Just with an industrial look and feel!

tigerstyle said:
You wont need the washers as your boxes aren't painted, just follow the diagram of the wiring above (in the thread) and put a 2.5MM earth wire from each of the little clamp screws in each socket into the earth wiring.
So that's from every socket into the wiring, that way you don't rely on the bushes to provide the earth link.

My boxes are already painted with a think silver paint. If I do repaint then something other be needed.

tigerstyle · 27 Jan 2013 at 15:43

Sorry I thought they just looked like plain steel ones, not painted.
If you've already built it up, washers are a bit ott, just do the internal connections good and tight.

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 17:00

tigerstyle said:
Sorry I thought they just looked like plain steel ones, not painted.
If you've already built it up, washers are a bit ott, just do the internal connections good and tight.

I need the tool to do them up but also need to mount them to get all even. Only places I found that do it are online. Not even screwfix or tp

I

AshD93 · 27 Jan 2013 at 17:19

Just in interest.. Considering you've said they're doing below a desk anyway..

Why not just get a extension lead?

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 17:30

AshD93 said:
Just in interest.. Considering you've said they're doing below a desk anyway..

Why not just get a extension lead?

This is the desk that's being built for me

http://www.chunkyreclaimedfurniture.co.uk/desk.html

I have the pull out table option. Width of my desk will be 140mm.

To keep the recycle feel and industrial style I went with this setup on power outputs.

When I use to be into my hifi I blew off the self extensions.

Kenai · 27 Jan 2013 at 17:34

So a nice rustic feeling, countryside cottage style desk with cheap industrial style sockets... not a combo I would have gone for myself I must say

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 17:48

Kenai said:
So a nice rustic feeling, countryside cottage style desk with cheap industrial style sockets... not a combo I would have gone for myself I must say

I wouldn't say cheap

Table is scaffolding boards and pullout table is floorboards

Destination · 27 Jan 2013 at 18:02

Looks a bit banged togther and potentially tacky, hope it works out well, nice little project to do either way.
Be interesting to see if it works at all with that rustic reclaimed desk.
Look to be two different worlds.

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 18:07

I went and saw it 1st before doing anything.

It'll be nice. The sockets will be hidden up on the inside

Deleted member 77746 · 27 Jan 2013 at 18:37

OP have you purchased the cable for it and plugs? What else you buying? links would be appreciated...

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 18:43

mrbell1984 said:
OP have you purchased the cable for it and plugs? What else you buying? links would be appreciated...

No cable bought yet and only the sockets and fronts as they came part if a pack. I got all the fittings in a latter post on here via screfix.

Washers, mounting screws, cable, plug are all that are left to get.

Sockets are in my 1st post off ebay

Deleted member 77746 · 27 Jan 2013 at 18:44

pyropetepete said:
No cable bought yet and only the sockets and fronts as they came part if a pack. I got all the fittings in a latter post on here via screfix.

Mail me in trust I can link to the eBay for sockets

You already linked on here for sockets I was just wanting to know about the cable you would be using and plug for the extension. Looking good so far.

pyropetepete · 27 Jan 2013 at 19:09

mrbell1984 said:
You already linked on here for sockets I was just wanting to know about the cable you would be using and plug for the extension. Looking good so far.

Sorry am on iPhone and can only link via a mobile link for eBay

Plug - http://bit.ly/Y9DNNO

Cable - http://bit.ly/110UlNw

Reason for this cable is I trust it.

I will more than likely cover the cable with some braid to finish it off.