Isolate A Conservatory From The House

[Doc Hudson]

The electrician went through the wall behind a double socket. He split the ring and took it round the conservatory. I am proposing to reinstate the original ring by putting a double pole switch in place of the socket and reconnecting the conservatory on the switched side.

I would like to reinstate the original ring and have the conservatory wiring on a switched connection that is compliant. Is this possible?

Is there such a thing as a switched fused spur which is double pole? Perhaps they all are DP, I don't know.

As the others have cautioned this task is not a simple swapping an accessory over task.  You will need a test meter to verify the correct legs of the ring and the continuity of the ring. Also don't assume the original was wired correctly, Many of us have seen wiring where rings have been crossed or have legs broken. All cable ends need testing and verifying before you reconnect them. I am also interested how you are proposing to take off a double socket and replace it with a double pole Fused Connection unit. You will need to modify the back box as well. Can be tricky if its currently flush into wall. Surface box shouldn't be too hard.  It may be easier to identify if you have a mix of red/black and blue/brown cables between the house and conservatory.  It reminds me of that bit in the film Apollo 13, 'Gentlemen we need to make this   fit into the hole for this'.   

Doc H.

 

[flash302]

Thank you for your advice which I fully take on board. Regarding identification of the wires, the cables coming up from the floor are the original ring and the ones going out through the external wall are the extension so it would be hard to confuse them. The electrician who did the work performed the tests to which you refer and I can't imagine much has changed in the short time since then.

My reason for wanting to be able to isolate the conservatory is I am worried that if there is a strong wind in a particular direction rain can drive up the roof and penetrate the roof to house wall seal. Should this happen when we are away the house electrics will trip out with consequences to freezer etc. I intend to switch off the conservatory electrics so that I do not have that worry.

The firm that built the conservatory has proved to be totally unable to solve the problem of the leak. It only happens very occasionally and under specific conditions. Also they have now gone out of business. I am not physically capable of fixing it myself however I know I can fit a fused spur. I fully understand your concerns but until I can find someone who is capable of making the conservatory roof weatherproof I need to have a means of isolating the new wiring. I did contact one electrician but he had no interest in doing the job. I did not think I would be opening such a can of worms by posting this query!