"Bob Mannix" wrote in message
...

"Fiona Reid" wrote in message
...
I'm planning to add an extra socket to the ring main in our flat.
The exisiting socket is on one side of a solid wall in bedroom 1,
the intended location of the new socket will be on the other side
of the wall in bedroom 2. I've already replaced several sockets
so I know that the exisiting socket is definitely part of the ring
and not a spur.

As I intend to put the new socket into the ring main I am imagining
that the cables will have the following routing:

A. Exisiting mains cables enter exisiting socket 1
B. New mains cable (and earth) is added to go from existing socket 1
to new socket 2 (on other side of wall)
C. New cable (and earth) is used to connect new socket 2 back to
current ring main

My questions a
1. What is the best way to join the cables back together - I've read
about
crimping, plastic joinning blocks, insulating tape etc. The cables will
be
beind/inside the brickwork so once the sockets are screwed back on
they won't be moved etc.
2. Should I drill two distinct holes though the wall for the cables
mentioned
in points B and C? or is it safe to have them next to one another? - I
guess
they are insulated so it's probably ok?

If the above is too complex I'll resort to disconnecting socket 1 and
connecting the exisiting wires to the new socket 2 instead. The
exisiting
socket has a 70kg wardrobe in front of it so I can't get to it.

How will you do (B) above without moving the wardrobe?

If you are going to move the wardrobe, the whole thing is too
complicated -
if socket 1 is on the ring, socket 2 can be fed by one cable as a spur
from
socket 1 with a single cable.


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)

Agree with Bob that simplest method is spur off socket 1.
However if you are ever likely to want to add further sockets in the second
bedroom then overloading problems could occur.

If it is possible, then the best way to avoid this future problem is to
proceed as you originally described, but instead of trying to connect back
into the ring (step c), work out where it goes and decide if it is practical
to pull a new length of cabling through so that your new socket is cleanly
linked to the next socket in the ring.

Danger is that if you 'loose' the cable whilst pulling through then things
start to get more difficult so ensure that you take all precautions for a
good mechanical lock between the new and old cables (eg folded back and
twisted, with a dab of solder to stop it coming undone) and some tape
wrapping to ensure no sharp edges to get snagged !

No reason why cables B and C shouldn't pass through one hole on brickwork,
just ensure edges are protected or rounded to stop the sleeving from getting
scuffed.

Good Luck

Kevin