Permanently Wiring In Electric Fire

[Hammer]

I have an electric fire that I want to wire in permanently and hide the flex behind the wall. I know I can put in a spur with a fused switch and do it that way, but there is already a double socket in just the right place that it would be perfect to use.

Question is, is there such a thing as a 2-gang socket that has a fused switch and standard 13a socket side by side? I’ve had a quick look but can’t find anything except for cookers. I think I know the answer to this one, but I guess that would be a no-no as the fuse on the fire is 13amp. Or any other bright ideas?

[dollie65]

if your in the uk you need to get a qualified electrician with a certificate to do that sort of work or it becomes illegal...

[Old_Geezer]

Chop out the double socket box and install 2 single socket ones ?

[carrust]

You'd have to put 2 single socket back boxes where the double socket back box is, then fit a fused spur box to one side & a normal single socket to the other.

[carrust]

Great minds think alike OG.

[Hammer]

OG & carrust, thanks, I think I'll do it that way. Ever used one of these? http://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/35mm-deep-dual-dry-lining-box I guess that will do the trick.

Dollie, you are wrong. This is simply adding sockets / fused spurs to an existing circuit in a living room and is therefore fine to DIY. Please let me know your sources if you still disagree.

[The Builder]

I'm afraid Dollie is mistaken. What Hammer is talking about is not notifiable under the Regulations... unless it's in a kitchen or bathroom location.

Hammer, your link is the backbox that you need. Just the same as putting two side by side.
You could put a fused spur in one, or simply have a normal double socket with a 13A fuse in the plug.

[Old_Geezer]

Sonce discovering what driline walls were I've tended to avoid. But yes, I have in the past used a proper metal version of that box :-)

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If the existing socket is on the ring main then its ok to proceed..however if its a spur off the ring then, as you will be adding an additional outlet to that spur it will become non compliant unless both the outlets are fed via a 13a spur.Is the existing socket fed via a 30Ma RCD.

[tezestwing]

Hi You have to be carefull about routing a spur cable into walls, they have to follow set ways inside the wall, from visual ring socket to a visual fused connection unit, vertical or horizontal, to prevent any one dlilling through it in the future. HTH Tez BTW if you put 2 single boxes together in the wall dont forget to form a gap beween them the face plate is bigger.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Tez..if a dual box is used ..as shown in the link..the spacing is built in.

[Hammer]

Spark, it’s definitely on the ring main so no issue there. And Tez, I’ll either use a dual box or possibly add an extra fused switch on a spur which will be only a few inches away, so the cabling will be very short and in a straight line.

Thanks again all.

[The Builder]

Just a small point, Hammer. If you do fit a spur a few inches away, use 2.5mm cable (the same as the ring circuit), even for that short distance. It could be important in the event of a fault.

[tezestwing]

Hi BRIGHT SPARK it was just a note that OG and carrust made ref x2 single boxes.Also the need to hide the flex ?from Hammer what sort of wall is it?
Hammer you talk about hiding the fire flex if you get a FCU with a surface flex outlet then all the job needs is approx 300mm of 2.5 t&e cable.
x1 single back box,35mm deep.
x1 FCU front plate with a 13 AMP fuse and away you go HTH Tez