WELCOME TO OUR ELECTRICAL - EXTENDING A RING MAIN PROJECT
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Summary: Extending a ring main. Adding sockets to a ring main. Putting more sockets in a room or office.
Please also see our project on the New Wiring and Cable Colours .
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Make sure the power is turned off and any circuits you are working on are completely isolated. See our electrical safety project.
If you need extra sockets in a new room or turn an old room into an office, it may not be possible to add extra socketsfrom your existing ring main.
It is not particularly difficult to extend a ring main but you must remember that certain rules apply about the floor area and length of cable one ring main may serve and use. These rules can be found in our ring main project. These rules apply to spurs also.
The diagrammes below show how you can break into a ring main with junction boxes to extend it. There is no set limit to the number of sockets on a ring main as long as you stay within the rules mentioned above.
Obviously you will not want to have surface cables all over the place so remember if you place new cables in any floor, roof or ceiling void they must not be covered in insulation which will make them too hot and if they are buried in the wall they must be in a protective conduit and only run vertically from above or below the sockets. Socket and switch plates in plastic stainless steel and brass can be bought by clicking on the images below.
The first image shows a simple ring main to and from the consumer unit
The image below shows the main extended via 2 new 30 amp junction boxes.
Cables, insulating tape, RCD sockets, timers and tools can be bought by clicking on the images below.
Please also check the rules very carefully for ring mains and radial circuits. You are limited in the length of cable you are allowed to use in both circuits and long spurs could make you exceed the limit. If this is the case you are asking the circuit to use much more energy than the circuit is designed for. More energy = more heat and cables can catch fire. Part P of the new building regulations could involve a check on any additional circuitry by qualified electricians when you sell your home. This can affect your sale, you could be breaking the law and your house insurance may not be valid. Please be absolutely sure you know what you are doing and get all of your work checked by a qualified electrician.
For regulations governing heights of sockets etc, please click here
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Click on a tool below for additional information.
Much more construction information is available in our bookstore. All the tools and fittings you need in the toolstore.
Forums
BARN CONVERSION
BASEMENT - USING AS UTILITY ROOM
BASEMENT CONVERSION
BLOWING LIGHT BULBS
BUILDING REGULATIONS
CONNECTING AN ELECTRIC SHOWER
CONSERVATORIES (TIMBER)
CONSERVATORIES (UPVC)
CONSUMER UNIT
DIMMER SWITCHES
DIY CONSERVATORIES ( UPVC )
ELECTRIC CABLES - FLEXES AND WIRES
ELECTRICAL - WIRING IN WALL LIGHTS
ELECTRICAL LIGHTING CIRCUITS
ELECTRICAL RADIAL CIRCUIT WIRING
ELECTRICAL RING MAIN WIRING
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
ELECTRICAL STRIPPING WIRE & CABLE
ELECTRICAL WIRING A JUNCTION BOX
FUSES: MCB's, RCD's, MCBO's
Improve and update your Kitchen lighting
Kitchen unit lighting
Kitchen worktop concealed sockets
LIGHTS AND SWITCHES
Low Voltage Lighting
PART P BUILDING REGULATIONS
REPLACING A LIGHT FITTING
Socket Height
Wiring a Ceiling Rose
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