Help with 32A socket regs please

[GrahamGKD]

Can anyone advise on the regs for installing 32A sockets please? Currently I'm thinking of a separate spur from my consumer unit with maybe three sockets on it. Should this be a ring instead, what weight of cable should I use, what MCB etc.?

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the Forum!

The first law is that you're not allowed to do wiring these days unless you're a qualified person. That's why the old black and red cable fetches good prices at boot sales.

 

[Unclefista]

I thought anyone could do the wiring as long it's "signed off" by a competant electrician ? Or is that no longer right ?

 

[rtbcomp]

I thought anyone could do the wiring as long it's "signed off" by a competant electrician ? Or is that no longer right ?

Yes, you're right to come to think of it, the local Council can inspect it and sign it off too.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Afaik you can do the work yourself but it has to be tested and certified by a 'competent person'. If doing the work yourself you are supposed to notify your labc and pay their relevant fees for them to inspect and certify it.
The chances of getting a spark to certify work that they haven't done is pretty remote (unless it's one you are on very friendly terms with) .

 

[madkayaker]

When you say 32A sockets do you meen a ring circuit of 13A outlets or 32A BS4343 (Big blue ones!)? If its 13A sockets then thats faily easy to answer you need 2.5mm2 6242Y twin and earth in a ring configuration and you can cover a Max of 100m2 with 35m of cable. If you are looking for the industrial ones then need cable length to answer the question.

 

[GrahamGKD]

When you say 32A sockets do you meen a ring circuit of 13A outlets or 32A BS4343 (Big blue ones!)? If its 13A sockets then thats faily easy to answer you need 2.5mm2 6242Y twin and earth in a ring configuration and you can cover a Max of 100m2 with 35m of cable. If you are looking for the industrial ones then need cable length to answer the question.

Thanks for coming back - it is the industrial type I'm on about - I guess the cable length will be about 5 to 7 metres, certainly no more than 10. If it makes a difference I could limit the cable run?

 

[madkayaker]

6 mm radial to each should be fine or do you only plan to use one at a time?

 

[GrahamGKD]

6 mm radial to each should be fine or do you only plan to use one at a time?

Thanks for your help with that. I actually only strictly need to draw 20A on the 32A socket and will probably fit two 16A sockets as well. I guess I could end up using more than one socket at a time since the compressor could come on (through air leakage) while I am welding but it is unlikely. I could run two spurs on 6mm cable, one to the 32A socket back to a 32A mcb (welder) and the other to a string of two 16A sockets (compressor and lathe) also back to another 32A mcb - does that sound OK?

I imagine it would not be legal to wire the 16A sockets into an existing 32A ring main of 13A sockets (within the regulatory 100m2 and all that)?

 

[madkayaker]

the 16A sockets need 16A protection. You carnt spur them into an existing ring as its two big a single load.

 

[fingers99]

Your best bet may be to trot along to a local building site an chat to the electricians. That way you may be able to get it done for next to nowt, and signed off.............

 

[GrahamGKD]

Great - Thanks for all of the help and advice folks.

 

[Nomad]

Your best bet may be to trot along to a local building site an chat to the electricians. That way you may be able to get it done for next to nowt, and signed off.............

Sounds like a plan

or get a proper sparky out first for an estimate.
Ask what discount you get if you do the donkey work before he comes back to do the job ( lift any floorboards, drill through any walls, route the cables) and "make good" ( repair damaged plaster etc & tidy up ) when he leaves.
Cash is normally best, but don't think it will be any use as you need a certificate.
You don't fit the sockets.
He can check everything is ok, fit the sockets, and sign-off the job in half the time it would take him to do it all himself

 

[bunnymofo]

the 16A sockets need 16A protection. You carnt spur them into an existing ring as its two big a single load.

oops, its ever so slightly possable that i may have slightly done this at some point in my house. i usw it for my compressor, 18.7 amps oops, and my welder. its just untill i gte some 10mm t&e to do it right tho

 

[madkayaker]

lets hope the house don't burn down first! 10mm is probity a bit big tbh unless there is a long run involved

 

[bunnymofo]

lets hope the house don't burn down first! 10mm is probity a bit big tbh unless there is a long run involved

yeah, hope not. i was thinking of going for 16mm. its about 30 meters, mayb a bit less. knees 2 x 18.7 amps for compressors, 32 amp socket for welder / plasma, 40 amp supply for car lift.

 

[madkayaker]

for that lot then 10mm is fine i thought you were wiring the 16A sockets in it!

 

[bunnymofo]

ahh ok. would it be worth using 16mm to help with voltage drop ? or is that overkill @?

 

[madkayaker]

10mm will be fine don't forget the RCD etc