Up the Spurs?

CHESTER DRAWERS · Post by **CHESTER DRAWERS** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:20 am

Hi,

I've got a 13A switched fused spur (without Neon) which I would like to change to a 13A
switched socked. Having inspected the fused spur it is connected via only one set of wires ie
earth/neg/pos whilst another 3 wires lurk (unconnected) just inside the wall cavity.
Im of the opinion that the two sets of wires are connected ie earth/earth etc etc. Can I do
this and is the likelyhood that the 3 other wires are unconnected as a result of a
previous occupier no longer requiring the spur? Or is something more sinister at work?

thanks in advance

Chester

honeymonster · Post by **honeymonster** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:42 am

It sounds to me like the fused spur could of been used for an immersion heater or similar and that it has been disconnected, that is why there is a cable in the cavity that as been disconnected.

The wire in the cavity will probably be attached to an appliance that is no longer needed and so they have simply removed the wires from the back of the FCU (spur).

You should be able to put a socket where the spur was with no problems, just ensure that the cable is thick enough and that the fuse in the consumer unit is the correct size for the circuit.

so if it is on it's own consumer unit fuse, ensure that the cable is at least 2.5mm and use a 15 amp fuse rather than a 30 amp.

honeymonster · Post by **honeymonster** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:44 am

It sounds to me like the fused spur could of been used for an immersion heater or similar and that it has been disconnected, that is why there is a cable in the cavity that as been disconnected.

The wire in the cavity will probably be attached to an appliance that is no longer needed and so they have simply removed the wires from the back of the FCU (spur).

You should be able to put a socket where the spur was with no problems, just ensure that the cable is thick enough and that the fuse in the consumer unit is the correct size for the circuit.

so if it is on it's own consumer unit fuse, ensure that the cable is at least 2.5mm and use a 15 amp fuse rather than a 30 amp.

CHESTER DRAWERS · Post by **CHESTER DRAWERS** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:01 pm

Thanks HM,

Much appreciated... I think it was an old electric fire as opposed to an immersion heater ... this is all happening in the lounge!

rgds

Chester

CHESTER DRAWERS · Post by **CHESTER DRAWERS** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:15 pm

HM (or all) if you are out there ... Im a little confused now... should I be connecting the three wires (only) from the switch to the new socket (leaving the currently redundant ones where they are or all six ie two earth's together, two negs together and two lives together?

cheers

Chester

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:24 pm

Hi,

if the wires were redundant then I would leave them, are you sure that they are not-

part of a ring circuit or feeding another appliance?

If the wire was redundant to begin with than I would leave it as it has obviously been disconnected because it is feeding something that is no longer needed.

It would make sense to test the wire, or get it tested just to make sure it is not part of a ring main.

Stoday · Post by **Stoday** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:18 pm

If the original switched fused spur was not a flex outlet type (i.e. had no hole in the front plate for a flex) then the redundant wires must have been the feed from the spur.

Leave them disconnected.

CHESTER DRAWERS · Post by **CHESTER DRAWERS** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:48 am

Thanks Fella's ... much appreciated!