Extra Sockets Upstairs

wazzer1

Hi Lads,

Just looking for some opinions on adding extra sockets upstairs and the wiring involved in it. Looking at about 5 extra in total. The attic is accessible as is the wiring for upstairs. Would it be best to break into the feed for upstairs sockets, put in a junction box and wire each socket off this box?? Any other ideas/opinions would greatly received...

Cheers Lads.

M cebee

hard to say from here really

depends on wether you're breaking into a ring or radial

for radial- how many points/rooms on existing circuit and how many new rooms on additional sockets

circuit loading?

rcd on existing?

nothing wrong with spider(junction box) in theory anyway for radial if everything checks out

Bruthal

As above, and it can depend on where your new socket positions will be compared to existing, as in is there a socket on the other side of wall in next room to where your new one is in each case etc.

meercat

if you are going to do this,it may be as handy to wire back to consumer unit
then you can be sure the circuit is 100%
put a seperate rcbo for your new radial circuit

Bruthal

meercat wrote: »

if you are going to do this,it may be as handy to wire back to consumer unit
then you can be sure the circuit is 100%
put a seperate rcbo for your new radial circuit

Exactly what i was thinking myself, it just all depends where the 5 sockets are going compared to existing ones, how existing are wired, and how easy floors would be to lift and that.

But even wiring a new circuit, to be 100% sure its right you would have to know what your at, and if you know that, then you can get it 100% right by going from existing circuits also, as long as they are not radials with the full amount already on them.

But overall, a new circuit would be ideal, electrically anyway.

Diggerdunne

Why put them on a rcbo if he has a rcd already? I assume you mean if he don't have an rcd????

Bruthal

Yea just the 20 amp MCB needed most likely on the existing RCD.

Diggerdunne

That's alright so, just it was a bit confusing for a second but we understand now....

Bruthal

Well i didnt actually mention a seperate RCBO myself at all, but it would not be a bad thing to have separate ones on socket circuits in newly wired houses possibly. It has advantages, but is dearer of course.

Diggerdunne

Yeah would work out quiet expensive alright but would be very safe and easy fault finding eh...

M cebee

i'd usually avoid branching into existing circuits and rcds

i like to keep new work totally separate if possible

meercat

M cebee wrote: »

i'd usually avoid branching into existing circuits and rcds

i like to keep new work totally separate if possible

i agree there
if possible i would try to keep new work separate also (including rcbo)
it helps identify any future problems which may arise
and also answers the "well everything was fine till you were at it"brigade
for an installation of 5 sockets the extra cost should be minimal

Bruthal

meercat wrote: »

i agree there
if possible i would try to keep new work separate also (including rcbo)
it helps identify any future problems which may arise
and also answers the "well everything was fine till you were at it"brigade
for an installation of 5 sockets the extra cost should be minimal

Good points there.

M cebee

yes if something goes wrong later

it's quite clear whether it's the new work or old installation at fault