How many sockets??
Discussion
Part 3 of remodelling the lounge and we're onto sockets.
We previously had 3 doubles around the room, sunk into the skirting board, and had a bundle of extension leads for all the electronickery that we have.
The plasterer is due in next week, so I'm chasing out for new sockets tomorrow. Question is how many to put in?
Would you put in a single socket for every item or carry on with extension leads? As an example, in one corner I need power for TV, Sky, PS3, Apple TV, HDMI switch, Table lamp, possibly a network switch and a spare for justin. That makes 4 double sockets and I think that'd look a bit silly, even though they would be hidden behind a unit. Other parts of the room are similar. Its not a power consumption issue, more of a clutter thing.
We previously had 3 doubles around the room, sunk into the skirting board, and had a bundle of extension leads for all the electronickery that we have.
The plasterer is due in next week, so I'm chasing out for new sockets tomorrow. Question is how many to put in?
Would you put in a single socket for every item or carry on with extension leads? As an example, in one corner I need power for TV, Sky, PS3, Apple TV, HDMI switch, Table lamp, possibly a network switch and a spare for justin. That makes 4 double sockets and I think that'd look a bit silly, even though they would be hidden behind a unit. Other parts of the room are similar. Its not a power consumption issue, more of a clutter thing.
http://www.eca.co.uk/filelibrary/download/?FileID=...
ECE recommends 6 for a living room, plus at least two more if its used for "home entertainment"
Could easily end up with a wall of sockets...
ECE recommends 6 for a living room, plus at least two more if its used for "home entertainment"
Could easily end up with a wall of sockets...
if you look at the power demandsof most thingswe plug in they are decreasing rather than increasing, it;s the sheer number of devices that pose the problem
the exceptions to this fall into three or four groups
1. kitchen stuff
2. tools
3. Amplifiers etc
4. 'grooming tools' i.e. haridryer and straighteners
overall power availability won't increase unless you rewire and put in more rings or some direct from the consumer unit spurs ( like you would for a electric shower or a cooker) - as you'll still be limited to the rating of the wire making up the ring and the breaker in the consumer unit
decent extension leads shouldn't pose a problem - much of the issues with extensions are based around the old fashioned 'plug in cube' socket multipliers rather than the bar type extensions.
to some extent it;s a shame there isn't a universal LV voltage and plug socket ( and rid us of all the power bricks in favour of either transformers i nthe wall plate ( like shaver sockets) or a central mains to lV transformer) to complement mains plug / socket combinations and USB (as sockets that present USB for power only are increasingly common.
the exceptions to this fall into three or four groups
1. kitchen stuff
2. tools
3. Amplifiers etc
4. 'grooming tools' i.e. haridryer and straighteners
overall power availability won't increase unless you rewire and put in more rings or some direct from the consumer unit spurs ( like you would for a electric shower or a cooker) - as you'll still be limited to the rating of the wire making up the ring and the breaker in the consumer unit
decent extension leads shouldn't pose a problem - much of the issues with extensions are based around the old fashioned 'plug in cube' socket multipliers rather than the bar type extensions.
to some extent it;s a shame there isn't a universal LV voltage and plug socket ( and rid us of all the power bricks in favour of either transformers i nthe wall plate ( like shaver sockets) or a central mains to lV transformer) to complement mains plug / socket combinations and USB (as sockets that present USB for power only are increasingly common.
Just run 64amp cable from the distribution block. Then you can have almost as many 4 way extensions as you want. I wouldn't put more then two doubles in each location. Other wise you could have on 4 sockets each an 8 way extension lead which could pull 13amp each socket so 416amps on a standard twin and earth!!!
Rick Cutler said:
Just run 64amp cable from the distribution block. Then you can have almost as many 4 way extensions as you want. I wouldn't put more then two doubles in each location. Other wise you could have on 4 sockets each an 8 way extension lead which could pull 13amp each socket so 416amps on a standard twin and earth!!!
..or in the real world... The breaker would trip around 32ampsWhile I was doing the house up I had a double in every corner of most rooms as a minimum to ensure flexibility when furnishing and giving options to relocate stuff.
I upped the numbers in the home offices to 4 doubles where desks where to be put and in the snug 2 doubles in the areas where TVs where likely to be placed and the main lounge has 3 doubles where AV gear is and another double behind where the TV is mounted.
I figured they're not so ugly that they spoil the look of a wall and trailing cables are a pet hate of mine.
I upped the numbers in the home offices to 4 doubles where desks where to be put and in the snug 2 doubles in the areas where TVs where likely to be placed and the main lounge has 3 doubles where AV gear is and another double behind where the TV is mounted.
I figured they're not so ugly that they spoil the look of a wall and trailing cables are a pet hate of mine.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-gang-switched-...
2 of these will do nicely, one each end of the sofa
2 of these will do nicely, one each end of the sofa
mondeoman said:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-gang-switched-...
2 of these will do nicely, one each end of the sofa
Top find!2 of these will do nicely, one each end of the sofa
Off to order a couple now. Thanks
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