Replacing spur one gang socket for two gang

[u0362565]

Hi all,

I have a single surface mounted socket in a cupboard which our freezer is plugged into. We don't have any sockets in our hall which the cupboard is off so I thought it might be useful to change the one gang socket for a two gang, again surface mounted to keep it simple.

Its on our socket ring main and must be a spur as there is only one cable to it not loop in and out. In theory I think all I need to do is remove the old one gang socket and screw on a two gang box in its place, I would just use the existing supply to the old socket.

Assuming I'm right on the above? Seems like a simple job. Any regulations I should be worried about here? Given I'm literally just replacing the surface box and not changing any wiring? Is this notifiable?

Thanks for the advice

 

[buzzlightyear]

none crack on. replace single to a double .

 

[Spoon]

Is this notifiable?

You are not installing a new circuit so it's not notifiable.
Is the circuit RCD protected?

 

[Toneyz]

No, the job is not notifiable.
As long as the existing socket is spurred directly off the ring final circuit and you are competent in undertaking the job I see no problem. Just remember safe isolation (not by a neon screwdriver) The socket needs to be RCD/RCBO protected.

 

[buzzlightyear]

read . million songs

 

[Pete999]

Hi all,

I have a single surface mounted socket in a cupboard which our freezer is plugged into. We don't have any sockets in our hall which the cupboard is off so I thought it might be useful to change the one gang socket for a two gang, again surface mounted to keep it simple.

Its on our socket ring main and must be a spur as there is only one cable to it not loop in and out. In theory I think all I need to do is remove the old one gang socket and screw on a two gang box in its place, I would just use the existing supply to the old socket. Suitable checks need to be done prior to just swapping the socket Willy Nilly, an Electrician will be able to check this for you.

Assuming I'm right on the above? Seems like a simple job. Any regulations I should be worried about here? Given I'm literally just replacing the surface box and not changing any wiring? Is this notifiable?

Thanks for the advice

If the existing single socket is truly a spur, and not a spur off another spur the just swap the single for a double. If hower it has been spured from another spurred outlet then more work will be required.

 

[u0362565]

You are not installing a new circuit so it's not notifiable.
Is the circuit RCD protected?

Yes its RCD protected, there are 8 circuits on the CU each protected by MCB's and then there are 2 RCD's which protect 4 of the circuits each.
[automerge]1568359045[/automerge]
Thanks all for the comments

 

[Spoon]

As @Pete999 has mentioned, just make sure it's an actual spur from the RFC (Ring Final Circuit) and not a spur of a spur mate.

 

[u0362565]

Ok so I've had a closer look at this and noticed something but don't think it affects me converting one gang to two gang. The cable from the ring main goes to a fused switch. From the switch there is a cable out to the socket and a cable out to the ceiling light in the cupboard. The cables terminate at these loads and do not go elsewhere.

Going back to what Pete999 & Spoon said, assuming it is a spur off the ring main is the fact that it is supplying a light and a socket still classed as a single spur? And how do I determine that its not a spur off a spur? In theory it shouldn't be as if the work was done properly then no one should have done that in the first place? I realize you should never assume.
[automerge]1568373712[/automerge]
The fused switch only operates the light as expected and does not cut power to the socket.

 

[Spoon]

The cable from the ring main goes to a fused switch.

So in your first paragraph above you are only assuming it wires to the RFC.

Going back to what Pete999 & Spoon said, assuming it is a spur off the ring main is the fact that it is supplying a light and a socket still classed as a single spur? And how do I determine that its not a spur off a spur? In theory it shouldn't be as if the work was done properly then no one should have done that in the first place? I realize you should never assume.

See where this fused switch wires back to.
You can test the circuit to determine what type of circuit it is.