Adding an integrated freezer

Father Ted · Post by **Father Ted** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:17 pm

Our house has an integrated fridge which has its own switch on wall and hidden single socket behind the appliance itself.

We are now considering putting an integrated freezer beside it. However the install hasn't considered this - there is no available socket. What way can this be provided? Can both be supplied from the same socket behind the fridge by bringing the cable over behind the fridge and combining there somehow or what way can it be done?

Can it be done without having to chase a new cable and socket into the wall? And can the single switch suffice for both appliances? It would be the preferred option to put it in this way, but if it is a hassle for a spark (i.e. expensive to us) then we'd have to look at other options.

Thanks.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:36 pm

I am not a sparky and have precious little knowledge or skill on electrics but I did chase in a spur, not in the same circumstances which provided an additional socket adjacent to an existing one. Now I do not know all the ins and outs of amperage needed for the power-ups on two compressor motors but I would have thought that it would cope. It would be best to have a socket for each appliance and as it is hidden it does not have to be a perfect reinstatement.

DWD

Father Ted · Post by **Father Ted** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 1:34 pm

I had thought they could change the unswitched socket for a blanking plate which has the breakable tabs for flex outlets and connect the two appliances to the feed from the spur using Wago's or blocks.
Yes, chasing in the additional socket would be the ideal solution, but additional expense and time.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 2:00 pm

If the new freezer is going next to the first one, the first one is plugged in, why not change the single socket to a double and plug both freezers in?

Father Ted · Post by **Father Ted** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 2:13 pm

Wouldn't that involve chasing in a double back box? In which case they'd be as well chasing a cable over to the correct place and giving the freezer its own socket.
Otherwise, you'd have to cut the molded plug off and put on a new one - or cut a square notch in the carcass to allow the molded plug through.

Or are you talking about using one of those single to double conversion faceplates?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 3:48 pm

Is chopping out a back box something you could do yourself? If you do that it is a simple wire up job.

DWD

Father Ted · Post by **Father Ted** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:01 pm

It is, but my point if if you're going to make a mess to carve out for a double socket, its not an awful lot more work to add the socket in correct place.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:18 pm

I think I would want a socket in each cabinet space to make it a simple appliance plug-in. Yes, chasing out and a backbox is a bit more work but if you are up to doing it I would go for a spur.

DWD

Father Ted · Post by **Father Ted** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:57 pm

Sorry - I thought you meant putting in a double back box!

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:08 pm

Father Ted wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 2:13 pm ..... using one of those single to double conversion faceplates?

Assuming the existing socket behind the fridge is a flush socket, and there's clearance, then YES, that would be simplest. As far as cutting a hole in the carcase to put a moulded plug through, (a) it's hidden - so does it really matter? (b) drop the power lead below plinth height then up behind the adjacent unit.