Ring Main Spur Wiring

[franklin]

Hi all.

Just wanted a sanity check off someone better in the know.

I'm installing a wall mounted LED TV with hidden wiring. I've installed single gang 13A socket inside a wardrobe to which the TV plugs straight into after coming through the plasterboard.

My question is relating to the wiring of the 'spurred socket' off the ring main. I've taken it off a double gang which was already in the wardrobe for a socket in the room next door. The link wire I've used is a 2.5mm 'switched' core, consisting of Red, Blue, Yellow and a bare copper (no sheathing).

Obviously I'm using the Red as Live, Blue as Neutral but is it OK to use the Yellow (switch) as the Earth as supposed to the bare copper? I've trimmed the bare copper back as it is not used.

It will only ever be the low power consumption TV plugged into this single gang socket, never anything else.

Any advice?

Many thanks.

 

[Andy™]

ive never seen 2.5mm 3c&e... so you will have used either 1.5 or 1mm, not 2.5...

and there is no such thing as 'switched core' cable either...

Sanity check: call someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[batty]

Certainly sounds like you have used lighting cable as Andy says maybe an idea to get somebody that knows about cable and electrics to check it out.

 

[Andy™]

Certainly sounds like you have used lighting cable as Andy says maybe an idea to get somebody that knows about cable and electrics to check it out.

probably wont reply, doubt the answer is what he wanted to hear. but it works, so why change it, right?

 

[batty]

Very true.

 

[franklin]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Aye 2.5mm was a typo, realised shortly after I posted.

I thought the yellow was a switched live for use in central heating and the like.  I'm not a sparky by trade, don't see myself as a mong so I think everything I've done is safe.  Ask the wife and she might say different!
 

What do you reckon lads? Safe enough?

Cheers

 

[poni]

and what happens when you move out will you tell the new owner that use low power and leave the phone number for the local(MAYBE NOT SO LOCAL ANY MORE) fire barrage

 

[NozSpark]

No.. You've got a 13A socket supplied by a cable (if it's 1.0mm 3c & e) that can't handle that much current

 

[steptoe]

ok, so explain this again,

where is the double socket?

is it already a spur, or is it on the ring?

as for being ok, the first big NO is in not using the 'bare' copper as the earth, even if you use the yellow as a secondary earth, you should use the purpose designed earth as well, ie, the bare copper, sleeved appropriately,

as an aside, WTF did you get the red yellow blue cable? its been superseded with different colours for over 5 years now,

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

What do you reckon lads? Safe enough?

Cheers

As you are not bothering with any compliance with wiring regulations then I wouldn't worry if its is safe or not.....

If you are happy with it just leave it as it is....

Its is only you and you loved ones at risk if anythings does go wrong...

Obviously you are using a bit of old secondhand cable as these colours became obsolete in March 2006..

Personally I would have used some correctly couloured..

and correctly sized cable..  as It wouldn't have cost that much for such a short run...

but then it is not uncommon for some people to scrimp every last little penny rather than getting correct items for a job...

:coat

 

[franklin]

The rear of it is in the same wardrobe, supplying the bedroom next door.  Its on the ring main, no a spur itself.

That's cool, I thought the current draw would be low enough for it to handle.  Only tested it so far with a radio alarm clock and not the TV.  I'll rip it out and replace it with 2.5mm twin and earth tomorrow.

The cables been in the garage for a while, can't remember what it was last used for.

Everyday's a school day.  Thanks for the friendly advice! 

 

[ProDave]

The cable, even if only 1mm will "work" with a tv.

But that's not the point.

The point is, you have wired a 13A socket with inadequate sized cable, and IF someone comes along and plugs a 3KW electric fire into that socket, the cable will fail.

If you are going to DIY the job, at least pop down to B&Q and spend a few £ on a short length of 2.5mm twin and earth and do it properly, rahter than use any old bit of cable you can find.

By the way, that cable is to old colours so you shouldn't be using it anyway.

Otherwise call an electrician, who won't charge much to wire it properly and save you all the grief and doubt.

 

[Andy™]

The rear of it is in the same wardrobe, supplying the bedroom next door.  Its on the ring main, no a spur itself.

That's cool, I thought the current draw would be low enough for it to handle.  Only tested it so far with a radio alarm clock and not the TV.  I'll rip it out and replace it with 2.5mm twin and earth tomorrow.

The cables been in the garage for a while, can't remember what it was last used for.

Everyday's a school day.  Thanks for the friendly advice! 

yes, it will be OK for a TV. but what happens if there is a fault? your alteration is not adequately designed, and the cable is not adequately protected as it should be.

If you are happy with it just leave it as it is....

Its is only you and you loved ones at risk if anythings does go wrong...

:coat

unfortunately, its also that of his neighbours and the firemen who have to come put the fire out

 

[Doc Hudson]

Welcome to the forum Franklin, for your reference the 3core cable you intended to use, would typically be used on two-way lighting e.g. landing light with two switches; Extractor fans with run-on timer operation; or as you said often used in central heating controls. These typically have 5A, 6A or 10A fuses protecting them. But it is not intended for use with socket circuits that would typically have 20A, 30A or 32A fuses protecting them. With all electrical work it is essential to ensure that possible fault currents cannot exceed the capacity of the cable, such as if using incorrectly sized cables. As this is where the typical electrical fault house fires can start. Clearly you had some doubts because you came and asked on the forum. I would suggest if there is a next time it may be wiser to ask before doing any of the work. 

Moved to DIY section.

Doc H.

 

[franklin]

Welcome to the forum Franklin, for your reference the 3core cable you intended to use, would typically be used on two-way lighting e.g. landing light with two switches; Extractor fans with run-on timer operation; or as you said often used in central heating controls. These typically have 5A, 6A or 10A fuses protecting them. But it is not intended for use with socket circuits that would typically have 20A, 30A or 32A fuses protecting them. With all electrical work it is essential to ensure that possible fault currents cannot exceed the capacity of the cable, such as if using incorrectly sized cables. As this is where the typical electrical fault house fires can start. Clearly you had some doubts because you came and asked on the forum. I would suggest if there is a next time it may be wiser to ask before doing any of the work. 

Moved to DIY section.

Doc H.

Thanks Doc H. Great write up, confirmed a lot.

I'll replace the cable tomorrow, as I'm yet to use it as intended.

 

[Sharpend]

Respect franklin for not taking offence to the advice as given, many others do. Also for being conscientious enough to ask and to change what you have done incorrectly, again many wouldn't.

As Doc says, plan first then do it.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Not that I would but............ in this situation 1.5 would be rated at 16A & could quite be acceptable if all other points were covered