Wiring a 2-Gang socket in Hallway

[zenmonkey]

I want to put a 2-gang socket in my upstairs landing which will be used only to power table lamps. With regards to wiring the socket, is it safe to run a spur from the heavy duty 3-core cable running from my downstairs gas boiler to my upstairs thermostat?

The thermostat cable runs directly under the floorboards where I wish to place the socket so it will be a much easier job if I can use the thermostat cable, if that's unsafe then I can run a spur from the upstairs ring main.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DPG]

I want to put a 2-gang socket in my upstairs landing which will be used only to power table lamps. With regards to wiring the socket, is it safe to run a spur from the heavy duty 3-core cable running from my downstairs gas boiler to my upstairs thermostat?

The thermostat cable runs directly under the floorboards where I wish to place the socket so it will be a much easier job if I can use the thermostat cable, if that's unsafe then I can run a spur from the upstairs ring main.

Thanks in advance.

No, do not connect the socket to your thermostat cable.

A spur sounds OK as long as you are competent to do it, and also that you can determine for sure that you aren't taking it from something that is already spurred from the ring circuit.

 

[zenmonkey]

Understood. Thank you.

 

[DPG]

Understood. Thank you.

Make sure you are competent to do the work, and make sure there are no joints under floor boards, etc. unless they are of the maintenance free type.

 

[zenmonkey]

I've wired spurred sockets in the past without issue (both my hi-fi and home cinema systems are powered from one such socket) so no worries there. Unsure if a spur can be routed under the floorboards between rooms, if not will use cable conduits along skirting boards instead.

 

[radiohead]

What's a heavy duty 3 core cable out of interest?
[automerge]1595269856[/automerge]

I've wired spurred sockets in the past without issue (both my hi-fi and home cinema systems are powered from one such socket) so no worries there. Unsure if a spur can be routed under the floorboards between rooms, if not will use cable conduits along skirting boards instead.

How did you verify that the points you installed were without issues?
Did you verify the circuit you spured from was a ring? Carry out an insulation resistance test? Carry out an R1+R2 test? Carry out a Zs test to verify disconnection times.
Or did you just plug the load in, found it worked so it must be safe?

 

[zenmonkey]

What's a heavy duty 3 core cable out of interest?
[automerge]1595269856[/automerge]

A thick, rugged, mechanically durable cable with 3 conductors. It looks and feels like cooker cable to me but, as it was used to wire just a thermostat, suspect it might be low amperage. Doesn't matter either way as I won't be using the cable.
[automerge]1595273752[/automerge]

How did you verify that the points you installed were without issues?
Did you verify the circuit you spured from was a ring? Carry out an insulation resistance test? Carry out an R1+R2 test? Carry out a Zs test to verify disconnection times.
Or did you just plug the load in, found it worked so it must be safe?

I installed the socket over fifteen years ago and have never had a problem with it. I didn't run any tests, no, but last year, after a powerful storm which caused the power post feeding my home to spark, my landlord sent an electrician over to do a complete check of the mains including every socket and everything passed.

 

[radiohead]

I installed the socket over fifteen years ago and have never had a problem with it. I didn't run any tests, no, but last year, after a powerful storm which caused the power post feeding my home to spark, my landlord sent an electrician over to do a complete check of the mains including every socket and everything passed.

The reason I raised the question is just because you never had a problem with it does not mean it's safe. It probably is, as it passed an inspection...but for fifteen years you did not know that. There are a multitude of potentially dangerous faults with an installed spur which will not be apparent unless some basic tests are carried out.
Nowadays all work in dwellings must comply with the requirements of part P, which requires installations to comply with Bs7671.
Bs7671 requires proper inspection and testing of new installations, and alterations and additions to an existing installation.
I have witnessed first hand the death of a DIYer who thought he'd done it correctly, and your having to ask whether a socket outlet can be connected to a thermostat cable suggests a lack of competence.
Dont end up like that DIYer.

 

[Markyd]

Your Landlord....hope he is insured for you to carry out electrical work on his property...Because you wont be

 

[DPG]

Didn't realise it wasn't your house. Do not do any electrical work, arrange it through your landlord.