External Socket

Ant555

If I get a local electrician to install an external double power socket then do they run a 'spur' off an existing socket?

If so, then does the external socket typically have to be mounted on the external wall immediately behind the internal socket for ease?

System

The outside socket doesn't necessarily need to be attached to the house, you can run it down to a garden shed or garden wall using armoured cable

Strider590

A spur from the internal ring main would be sensible, it may require a fused spur under the latest regs.

It can be installed anywhere outside with the correct cabling.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Ant555 wrote: »

If I get a local electrician to install an external double power socket then do they run a 'spur' off an existing socket?

They can do, although if its practical to add it to the ring I would imagine they'd prefer to do it that way.

Nothing wrong with a spur in principle but I think the reason some electricians avoid them is every time you add a spur, you increase the risk that somebody else will come along in the future and run another spur off the spur and reduce the overall safety of the installation.

If so, then does the external socket typically have to be mounted on the external wall immediately behind the internal socket for ease?

That would probably be the easiest approach.

The important thing to remember here is that an outside socket needs to be RCD protected - if the existing circuit it is being added to does not have RCD protection then and RCD will need to be introduced somewhere.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Strider590 wrote: »

A spur from the internal ring main would be sensible, it may require a fused spur under the latest regs.

I have no idea whether this is needed under the latest regs (I'm not an electrician) but would imagine having the socket connected to an internal switched fused spur would be a sensible option as it makes it easy to isolate the socket and stop people from using it, who shouldn't be.

Ant555

Thanks for the replies,
Its really for the lawnmower etc as I currently use a 10m long extension lead that I plug in and up through an open window.
The location would ideally be on the outer wall of the conservatory directly behind an existing double socket.

Its a private, enclosed back garden so not really a prime target for unauthorised use although I guess I could padlock when not in use as I see some of them have loops for this.

Thanks for all the info.