Tip from an electrician

edthedead

I am adding a couple of spurs onto the ring and am struggling to get all three wires to fit into the holes on the rear of the sockets. The exsisting wires are multi copper thread type and I am adding the newer type single thick thread. The sockets are MK.

I am hoping that an electrician has some magic trick to make it easier to fit all three wires into the holes... it's driving me completely insane!!!! :mad:

Colour_Republic

You do realise you shouldn't be doing this yourself??? The fact you are saying it's multi copper leads me to believe that you are trying to spur into either a shower or cooker ring although could be a 4mm ring (maybe kitchen?), either way you are not allowed to extend the ring without either a being A) an electrician or getting it passed by your local building control

mikey72

Colour_Republic wrote: »

You do realise you shouldn't be doing this yourself??? The fact you are saying it's multi copper leads me to believe that you are trying to spur into either a shower or cooker ring although could be a 4mm ring (maybe kitchen?), either way you are not allowed to extend the ring without either a being A) an electrician or getting it passed by your local building control

Not notifiable q5 subject to the notes

http://www.theiet.org/publishing/wiring-regulations/part-p/

but I'm not saying you should be doing it.

and no, there is no trick, just make sure they are all in properly, and not just 2 of the 3 are held by the screw. Inspect them visually, (dentists mirror is good if the wires are short) Pull everything well to check, and don't trap the wires behind the screws when you put it back.

(Don't live up to your name either)

wallbash

The guy came here for help . to do a fiddly job , one which we all can struggle with .
Not for a lecture .

edthedead take your time , check your work , then check again

Curly

turn off the mains :P

diable

leave the multi corded ones twisted together and push the solid cored one so the screw pushes down on it pushing it against the others.

I have a flame suit fire away ;p

fluffpot

might not be 4 mm, old 2.5 cable was stranded. Odds on the stranded has become misshapen, so if there is enough slack I would trim them back a little and strip off the insulation to give you a nice 'new' conductor to put into the back of the socket.

MK have the largest conductor 'holes' in my experience. Just be glad you didn't get cheap ones!

CB1979_2

always test with a wet fork in the socket!

27col

Colour_Republic wrote: »

You do realise you shouldn't be doing this yourself??? The fact you are saying it's multi copper leads me to believe that you are trying to spur into either a shower or cooker ring although could be a 4mm ring (maybe kitchen?), either way you are not allowed to extend the ring without either a being A) an electrician or getting it passed by your local building control

Who the hell's going to know, as long as it is competently done.
By the way CR, I have never heard of a shower ring or a cooker ring. They should both be radial circuits I think. Maybe you don't know as much as you think that you do. Anyway the OP has not specified exactly what he is spurring from. Op, it can be difficult to get all three cables to grip in the terminal, sometimes you just have to keep on persevering until eventually all three cables are gripped. It can be very frustrating and time consuming at times. The terminal holes in a 13amp socket outlet are made to take 3 x 2.5mm cables, but at times it is difficult to believe this.

Colour_Republic

27col wrote: »

Who the hell's going to know, as long as it is competently done.
By the way CR, I have never heard of a shower ring or a cooker ring. They should both be radial circuits I think. Maybe you don't know as much as you think that you do. Anyway the OP has not specified exactly what he is spurring from. Op, it can be difficult to get all three cables to grip in the terminal, sometimes you just have to keep on persevering until eventually all three cables are gripped. It can be very frustrating and time consuming at times. The terminal holes in a 13amp socket outlet are made to take 3 x 2.5mm cables, but at times it is difficult to believe this.

If somebody is going to know or not, is not the point.

Granted the fact the OP has asked the question means they are trying to do it right but I wouldn't advise anybody to undertake electrical or gas works unless qualified to do so (or permited) - Gas is easy - don't do it - where as many people interpret electrical regs differently

wallbash

Agree totally about gas

But my argument is that I have 'played' with electrics for over 35 years , I know my limits .
I won't have some bright spark .... in an office now telling me I cant .
Just because I have not got a 'bit' of paper.