Installing an external socket

glassescase · Post by **glassescase** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 6:11 pm

I have an external IP66 double socket with a built in RCD.
If the cable is coming down the wall, looping under the socket and then up in to the socket, does it need to be armoured?
The socket will be about 3 or 4 foot off the ground and from the roof it is about 4 or 5 ft

thanks glassescase

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:35 pm

The circuit requires RCD protection not the socket.

And from your description the cable doesn’t need to be SWA

glassescase · Post by **glassescase** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:51 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:35 pm The circuit requires RCD protection not the socket.

And from your description the cable doesn’t need to be SWA

thank you for the advice. I can fit an RCD into the fuse box no problem.

glassescase

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:22 pm

If cable is buried, so you can't see the cable route in a wall it needs RCD protection, unless using one of the list of which SWA is on the list, but if the cable is not buried then you can still use a RCD socket, or is SWA can be RCD socket. I have two RCD sockets on my UPS supply to the freezers, the all RCBO consumer unit will not protect 5 of my outlets, 4 sockets (2 x doubles) and a FCU to the central heating, so central heating is not RCD protected and I have RCD sockets type A. Type AC no longer permitted, and I tried to get a type A RCD FCU and found I could not get one. At least in CEF.

The cable does not need to be SWA, you can use other cables, for outside normally black as black plastic will resist UV better than white.

glassescase · Post by **glassescase** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:30 pm

ericmark wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:22 pm If cable is buried, so you can't see the cable route in a wall it needs RCD protection, unless using one of the list of which SWA is on the list, but if the cable is not buried then you can still use a RCD socket, or is SWA can be RCD socket. I have two RCD sockets on my UPS supply to the freezers, the all RCBO consumer unit will not protect 5 of my outlets, 4 sockets (2 x doubles) and a FCU to the central heating, so central heating is not RCD protected and I have RCD sockets type A. Type AC no longer permitted, and I tried to get a type A RCD FCU and found I could not get one. At least in CEF.

The cable does not need to be SWA, you can use other cables, for outside normally black as black plastic will resist UV better than white.

I don't fully understand your post but I am guessing there is a list of suitable cables for the outside socket. The cable will be on the outside of the wall so visible. Can anyone help with a link to acceptable cable please?
This I found https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/product ... lsrc=aw.ds

This I did not understand "......or is SWA can be RCD socket", could you please explain?

glassescase

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:42 pm

glassescase wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:30 pm >https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/product ... w.ds</span>

This I did not understand "......or is SWA can be RCD socket", could you please explain?

glassescase

You are adding to a circuit so the entire circuit requires RCD protection, so using a RCD socket isn't an option and to be honest is an unnecessary comment

The cable from CEF is ideal for the installation as long as its not going under ground OR would be in a position where it could easily be damaged

OnlyMe · Post by **OnlyMe** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 7:18 pm

ericmark wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:22 pm Type AC no longer permitted, and I tried to get a type A RCD FCU and found I could not get one. At least in CEF.

Would the RCD FCU need to be type A unless you are powering something that might give a DC pulse?

OnlyMe · Post by **OnlyMe** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 7:25 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:42 pm You are adding to a circuit so the entire circuit requires RCD protection, so using a RCD socket isn't an option and to be honest is an unnecessary comment

I don't believe you have to install RCD protection for the entire circuit with a small add on.

glassescase · Post by **glassescase** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 9:41 pm

If the external socket is a spur and has an inbuilt RCD, why does the whole cct need an RCD? Is it because it is external?
I have seen what looks like cables with plugs fitted and the cable then goes to the external socket. Bit of a risk selling a cable with a plug at one end and nothing at the other.

glassescase

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Wed Nov 01, 2023 12:01 am

Neelix wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:42 pm You are adding to a circuit so the entire circuit requires RCD protection, so using a RCD socket isn't an option and to be honest is an unnecessary comment

If that is the case then I need to call NAPIT and complain as I have an installation certificate and compliance certificate issued about 8 weeks ago where the FCU is not RCD protected and the sockets are type A RCD type, cables are not buried in the wall, they are in T2 trunking.

OnlyMe wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 7:18 pm Would the RCD FCU need to be type A unless you are powering something that might give a DC pulse?

The inverter which supplies them says in the installation manual it needs type AC, they supply three freezers one direct on line, the other two inverter drives.

My copy of BS7671 dates back to 2008, so rules may have changed, but I would not have thought the people who installed my solar panels would have done something non compliant when they knew I was an electrical engineer.