Moving a double power socket

[Sir Bagalot]

I need to move a double power socket

If it meant shortening the cable it would be easy, but I need to lengthen it, the socket is moving directly down the wall by about 3 feet.

What's the best method to lengthen the power cable down to the new location for the socket? The wall is plasterboard affixed to blockwork using dot and dab

[megaphone]

Why do you need to move it? Can you just add another socket?

You've checked which way the existing cables are running?

If you're lucky you'll be able to fish new cables down behind the plasterboard, depends is there is any adhesive in the way. If not you'll need to chase out the PB.

Can you leave the old back box in place and just fit a blank plate over?

Or you can remove the back box and push the joint in the hole, then push a piece of PB in the hole and finish off.

Use Wago connectors to extend the cables. Make sure you are competent and understand what you are doing, if not get someone in who is.

Edited by megaphone on Friday 13th February 07:53

Edited by megaphone on Friday 13th February 08:06

[Belle427]

I think these days its seen as ok to put a junction box in an inaccessible location if its all maintenance free.
Still not something I would do personally, I would lift the floorboards upstairs and try and run some new cables, if you have to use junction boxes then make sure you make them accessible in the future by leaving a small hatch in case of any issues.

[Mr Pointy]

Have a look at Quickwire - very easy to use & might be slim enough to hide depending on how thick the void behing the pasterboard is:

https://www.quickwire.co.uk/product/2-way-splitter...

[Liamjrhodes]

I would use WAGOs and a junction box

[blueg33]

Mr Pointy said:

Have a look at Quickwire - very easy to use & might be slim enough to hide depending on how thick the void behing the pasterboard is:

https://www.quickwire.co.uk/product/2-way-splitter...

Better than Wagos in a junction box IMO.

[megaphone]

blueg33 said:

Mr Pointy said:

Have a look at Quickwire - very easy to use & might be slim enough to hide depending on how thick the void behing the pasterboard is:

https://www.quickwire.co.uk/product/2-way-splitter...

Better than Wagos in a junction box IMO.

Yes agreed, these are good, as long as there is enough space.

[Sir Bagalot]

Is 24A ok for a double power socket?

[Simpo Two]

Sir Bagalot said:

Is 24A ok for a double power socket?

On a 13A circuit?

[Actual]

Simpo Two said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Is 24A ok for a double power socket?

On a 13A circuit?

The exact details would depend on the actual configuration of the circuit. If the circuit is a ring final circuit using 2.5mm2 twin and earth then it would commonly but not always have a 32A breaker at the consumer unit and each leg of ring would be rated at 16A/20A. For extending the ring final a 24A Quickwire Splitter is used on one leg of the ring and if required a second 24A Quickwire Splitter is used on the the other leg of the ring.

[megaphone]

What is the socket going to be used for?

[Chumley.mouse]

megaphone said:

What is the socket going to be used for?

Charging his phone .

[Mr Pointy]

Sir Bagalot said:

Is 24A ok for a double power socket?

Yes - the rating of the 2.5mm T&E is only 23-27A depending on the method of fixing. Of course you fit two Quickwires, one in each leg of the ring.

[Sir Bagalot]

In the end I employed a professional who was also kind enough to explain things as they went along

[Chilly for June]

With a vested interest what were the steps?