Can I re-use this choc block to add a power socket in my loft? Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Valiante]

I'm boarding my loft, raising the floor. As the floor is going over an old disused aerial booster, I disconnected it first. I had assumed it was somehow spliced into the lighting circuit, but through trial & error at the breaker box I found it was actually using the "downstairs sockets" circuit.

I already planned to add a socket above the floor for convenience, and had intended to tackle this at a later date, but I'm now wondering if I can re-use this somehow and connect a socket before I board over it. I'm not sure why it's a 4-core wire though (I'm no electrician).

Your thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

[Mr White]

That looks like its for a mains operated smoke alarm. (It looks like 1mm 3 core and earth)

As for socket, depends what you are going to plug into it. If it's a light (no point) or a low wattage device yes, you can. But there is always the what if. In which case I wouldn't. 1mm is too small for sockets.

[Valiante]

I think you're right, as the house used to have interlinked smoke alarms.

I'm going to replace the choc block with a maintenance-free junction box then continue boarding over it. Will spur the socket from the upstairs ring main or run a new feed from the CU.

Thanks.

[Mr White]

Used to have interlinked smoke detectors? what have you got now?

[Valiante]

They were replaced by the previous owners with standard 9v battery-powered alarms.