How to extend (add sockets to) a ring main

In this example I have added two additional sockets to an existing ring each on a different wall to the existing socket.

To add more sockets to a ring main (socket circuit) and still comply with regulations is not as simple as it may at first seem.

1. You can only add one additional socket to any or each socket on a ring main without extending the ring. You cannot add more sockets / points from that point unless you have a fused downsize to that spur off the ring.

2. Cables from to points have to run horizontally or vertically from that point to the next on each wall.
Which means you can’t have cables buried in a wall which are not horizontally or vertically going to a point on that wall.

3. Ensure you are using the right sized cables for that circuit. This is the current carrying capacity of that type and size of cable (current that the cable can safely handle and fuse rating protecting that cable / circuit). In a standard household ring circuit this is usually 2.5mm cable.

[graceineverything]

I’m sure this will be a really nice job when plastered and finished. I recently had this done and the “electrician” just used plastic conduit! It looks pretty ugly. I didn’t know any better at the time and thought it was the only option. As they say, “when you know better you do better”. I think I’m gonna chase out the walls myself. Thanks for this inspirational video. ❤🇬🇧🇯🇲

[Woodkin]

In short, no pun intended..just imagine you're making a bigger circle using each end of that old circuit.

[ImranKhan-cfgs]

I rewired a house where could not lift the wooden floor I chased horizontally and I put metal capping every where where I chased out hard graft

[Rosscoff]

I think I woukd also print a warning label on the blanking plate stating that there were horizontal cable runs right around the wall!

[SkiwiAS]

Nice video and good explanation, its personal choice to you us capping ect and cost at the end of the day.
People should know not to be whacking nails in the wall near sockets or in cable zones.
I would of just spurred of the ring as its now just a junction and not a socket, saves on cable cost these days.
look forward to the next videos, well worth the Sub and Like.

[chad]

No it’s not allowed.
That corner is out of zone.

[oldtimefarmboy]

And you never ever want to plaster over any electrical box and specially not a junction box with a bunch of wires spliced together. It will possibly save a ton of headaches to have the location of that junction box easily evident and accessible so they can get to those splices without tearing up the wall again.

[hoshm]

I don’t see how people are ragging on the install he has done here? There’s nothing wrong with it, capping or conduit isn’t necessary plastic shit doesn’t actually provide any real additional mech protection and with that double corner you would struggle to pull new cables in after anyway the circuit is rcd protected, and run well within zone?? Anybody putting holes in the walls at socket height is daft anyway and the minimum they need to do is take a face plate off and see the cables are running horizontally. Only thing I would change is the type of wagos you used prob be ok but prefer the 221s 32A. Decent job 👍

[Calippo]

Great, looking forward to more videos

[Михаиллеви]

Good vid, good job and good replies to comments.

[mohammedkhan]

Horizontal chasing scares the crap out of me, also the lack of conduit. Conduit is not required by regs, but still, things can get messy. So you would need to chase deeper horizontally for conduit YIKES 😵‍💫

[adrianmawby]

According to BS7671 safe zones end at the corner and another accessory needs to Mark the safe zones on the other walls. Therefore imo this installation does not comply.

[martinda]

Bet you were happy when he/she asked for that!

[johnh]

As mentioned replacing the skirting with integral conduit would be safer and more maintainable. Also did you check that the added resistance of the ring extension doesn't exceed the maximum Zs allowed for safe trip time on the MCB?

[adreenryan]

A fused spur would have been OK you could put where the blank plate is going you could have put as many spurs of of it as you liked.

[andysims]

Even though it’s not required any proper electrician would still put the cable in conduit. If anyone in the future had the miss fortune to damage a cable you would have to chop the whole lot out again. Also you could of wired those new sockets as spurs as the existing socket is now no longer a socket but a junction box

[danielwood]

Oval conduit or capping would have been nice to see.

[mikehamoudi]

why not using conduit to protect your cables

[playfayre]

Could you just put a socket there instead of a plate?

[bazroberts]

You should double check the rating on those wago joints, you’ll find they are not rated high enough for a 32amp ring main