Would it be against building regs (or just a generally bad idea) to 'hardwire' an extension lead into the back of a socket that's on a ring-main?

I'm trying to tidy our sitting room up and fit the hifi/dvd etc. equipment into the fireplace. They need a lot of sockets so I have a couple of 4-way extension leads and it's all a bit of a mess. I would like to mount an 8-way switched extension lead inside the fireplace and power it off the back of the wall socket that's currently on the side of the chimney breast. (by drilling through the side of the chimney/fireplace and fitting the cable through).


Is this ok? Have a nasty feeling it won't be allowed but it'd be really useful!

Cheers,
James

Why not just install the amount of sockets you require in the chimney breast and extend the ring main to them. Im not sure its legal to do what you're suggesting. In the event of fire or something your insurance would probably be void.

[Edited on 20/1/12 by wylliezx9r]

Why not fit a fused spur from the existing socket then fit double socket on the inside of the chimney breast. Then just plug your 8 way extension block in to the spurred socket. The spur will be minimal length and fused off the ring.

Disclaimer - I am not an electrician!

I don't see why not if it's possible (and safe of course) to set up 8 sockets in that area essentially all you're doing is wiring in one 8 socket thingy

Against the regulations the flex and extension will be rated at 13 amps and you will be connecting it into a circuit rated at 32 amps, this is what we call in the trade a Fire Hazzard.

Do it properly by introducing additional sockets onto the ring main, using properly sized cable.

Rules also say you can't spur of a spur.

So extend the ring into the fire place.

Or take a spur into the fireplace, fit a double socket and plus in one of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0006JJSM6/ref=asc_df_B0006JJSM66188628?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206& ;creativeASIN=B0006JJSM6
That will be all legit.

cant really hard wire flex into a 30/32 amp ring.for ease why not take the plug top off your 8 way lead.drill a hole though the chmney,feed the cable through then put the plug top back on and plug it in?

[Edited on 20/1/12 by daniel mason]

think daniel has the easiest solution there, then you still have accessible isolation and access to fuses, both required by the regs. Also, if you are only drilling an extention through the wall, it doesnt need to be notified because it isnt really electrical work.

quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
cant really hard wire flex into a 30/32 amp ring.for ease why not take the plug top off your 8 way lead.drill a hole though the chmney,feed the cable through then put the plug top back on and plug it in?

[Edited on 20/1/12 by daniel mason]

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quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
cant really hard wire flex into a 30/32 amp ring.for ease why not take the plug top off your 8 way lead.drill a hole though the chmney,feed the cable through then put the plug top back on and plug it in?

[Edited on 20/1/12 by daniel mason]

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One other option is to replace the socket with a fused spur and connect the 8-way through the back to that. If the existing socket is a 1-gang, it'd be a straight replacement, if a 2-gang, a suitable front-plate, fuse unit and blanking plates from MK's grid-switch range would do it. The cable would need to be secured too.