understanding my new electrical set up

leeruddecology

The boiler was install in 2006. So not exactly new but a little more modern than the rest of the house.

stator

Be careful changing single sockets to doubles. If they are not on the ring main they will be on spurs, and if you change a single socket to a double on a spur it's actually easier to overload the cable. A double socket could have two 13 amp devices plugged in and the cable isn't rated for 26A. If you have a single socket you can use an extension lead, but the fuse in the extension lead would prevent you from drawing more than 13 amps, so would in fact be safer. I don't know why they allow a double socket on a spur, but they do.

Risteard

stator wrote: »

A double socket could have two 13 amp devices plugged in and the cable isn't rated for 26A.

I'm not sure what your point is as a double socket outlet is not rated at 26A anyway - a twin 13A socket is only designed to take a maximum of 20A in accordance with the BS 1363 standard.

nLdn

Get an EICR done by an electrician. I was in the same situation as you back in September where the survey suggested I get this checked out. I got one in and the report found a number of areas that needed attention and the work would cost upto around £900.

I took this to the seller and asked for a contribution, not all of it, but a contribution towards getting it fixed. They didnt give me all of it but it was helpful given how many other things there are to pay for when you get a place.I completed in early November and had the work scheduled to start the day after completion, before I moved my things in.

Some of the things raised might have seemed over the top but actually have already avoided serious accident. An example would be that there was a plug socked directly under the kitchen sink that was not of waterproof standard. The electrician fitted a proper waterproof socket. Over the first weekend I was washing up and the washing machine was on also. As the machine drained, water started coming up through the kitchen sinks, fast, as the drainage must have had a slow blockage. I did manage to frantically plunge and unblock things but very easily water could have been overflowing and pouring over the socket under the sink.

One warning though - when you've got the electrician in - make it clear that you want any wiring put behind the wall, under floors etc and not to stick ugly plastic conduit over the place. Theres one area where he went ahead and did this and didnt even ask me, it doesnt look nice and I'll probably have to get it re-done when I come to decorate that area.