James
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 04:21 PM |
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O/T: Wiring extension lead into wall socket
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
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"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali
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wylliezx9r
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 04:30 PM |
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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]
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George Best
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nick205
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 04:46 PM |
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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!
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 05:21 PM |
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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
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 05:26 PM |
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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.
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 06:23 PM |
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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.
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daniel mason
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 06:23 PM |
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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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JoelP
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 06:55 PM |
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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.
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nick205
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 06:57 PM |
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quote:
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]
That's a reasonable solution too - I've done the same myself to access a socket the wrong side of a wall.
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James
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 07:54 PM |
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quote:
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]
Okay, had a feeling my initial idea was too easy to be legal! 
The above was my 2nd option so I may do that. Will converse with SWMBO to see what she wants.
Thanks all!
James
[Edited on 20/1/12 by James]
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"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 11:02 PM |
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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.
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