Wiring double sockets

Malamute01 · Post by **Malamute01** » Tue Dec 03, 2024 9:53 pm

Hi there

Any advice appreciated on this.

I replaced a number of double sockets in a friend's house recently with double sockets that had USB ports. It was pretty straightforward as most of the existing sockets only required a maximum of two wires to be inserted into each of the connectors on the back of the new sockets.

But in one of the rooms there were three feeds as it were (in grey sleeving). One of those contained multi-stranded cable (for the live, neutral and earth wires) and the terminal on the back of the new sockets was nowhere near big enough to accept the multi-strand cable and two other cables into the same terminal.

Is there any way around this other than rewiring the room with modern wiring?

Many thanks.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:24 pm

Remove the multi stranded cable. From your description it sounds like it is a small flex.
If there is a fault the circuit protection device (Fuse/mcb/rcbo) should operate. If there is a cable that is too small there is a chance the cable will overheat and start a fire.
It is probably too small in size to be protected by the circuit protection device, so if you don't connect it, there is nothing to be concerned about.

Malamute01 · Post by **Malamute01** » Tue Dec 03, 2024 11:27 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:24 pm Remove the multi stranded cable. From your description it sounds like it is a small flex.
If there is a fault the circuit protection device (Fuse/mcb/rcbo) should operate. If there is a cable that is too small there is a chance the cable will overheat and start a fire.
It is probably too small in size to be protected by the circuit protection device, so if you don't connect it, there is nothing to be concerned about.

Thanks for the reply.

Apologies if I haven't explained that very well. But I'm a little confused . . .

So, basically try wiring up the socket using the two twin and earth cables that DON'T contain the multi-threaded cable and then test it using a socket tester like this?

: Screenshot 2024-12-03 at 23.12.16.png (404.1 KiB) Viewed 623 times

When you say "remove" the multi-strand cable do you mean just don't connect twin and earth cable containing the multi-strand cables and seal each wire off with electrical tape. I can't remove it because it is plastered into the wall.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Tue Dec 03, 2024 11:57 pm

Tape will come off over time, wagos would be better.

Malamute01 · Post by **Malamute01** » Wed Dec 04, 2024 12:11 am

OK, I'll give that a go. I used a couple of Wago connectors on some of the other sockets because the wiring had been cut way too short.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Wed Dec 04, 2024 7:39 am

Randomly disconnecting cable’s often can have unexpected consequences

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Dec 04, 2024 8:52 am

A photo would have been advantageous.

Malamute01 · Post by **Malamute01** » Wed Dec 04, 2024 11:51 am

Argyll wrote: ↑Wed Dec 04, 2024 8:52 am A photo would have been advantageous.

Good point. I'll take some pictures the next time I'm at my friend's house.

Malamute01 · Post by **Malamute01** » Wed Dec 04, 2024 11:53 am

Neelix wrote: ↑Wed Dec 04, 2024 7:39 am Randomly disconnecting cable’s often can have unexpected consequences

I'll try to get some pictures the next time I'm at the property which might make the situation clearer . . .

OnlyMe · Post by **OnlyMe** » Sat Dec 07, 2024 1:34 am

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:24 pm Remove the multi stranded cable. From your description it sounds like it is a small flex.
If there is a fault the circuit protection device (Fuse/mcb/rcbo) should operate. If there is a cable that is too small there is a chance the cable will overheat and start a fire.
It is probably too small in size to be protected by the circuit protection device, so if you don't connect it, there is nothing to be concerned about.

It does not sound like it's a small flex - if it was then there would be no problem fitting it in the socket terminals with the other two cables.

Scotty001 · Post by **Scotty001** » Sun Dec 08, 2024 4:04 pm

If its just a case that the terminal space on the double socket will not accommodate 3 cores into each, would it be worth considering this double socket
MK K2747STWHI 2 Gang 13 Amp Rapid Fix Switched Socket

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Wed Dec 11, 2024 10:13 pm

MK sockets will take two 6 mm sq or three 2.5 mm sq cables, but other makes do seem to have smaller terminals. It is often a problem trying to take a spur from a ring final with small terminals on some makes. More than three wires in a terminal can mean one not clamped well enough, but a spur can only feed one socket or FCU, if using a FCU then that in turn can feed as many sockets as you like, as long as the loop impedance is within limits.

The tester shown does not test loop impedance,

: Loop-RCD-tester.jpg (5.81 KiB) Viewed 444 times

this does, but it is a lot more expensive, working in your own house OK, but in someone else's house, you really should be testing, and complete the minor works certificate, basic to watch ones own back, I know you can cheat and put in figures which seem reasonable, but courts would not really expect anyone to fill in a minor works and not have actually tested, so if in the future something goes wrong, they are likely to believe you if you say it was OK when I tested it before leaving.