DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hello, I am building a conservatory at the moment and just getting to the intial first fit of electrics. I was planning to extend the ring from a double socket in the dining room with junction boxes but after reading a bit of gen on internet i think i will need to use crimps?? Junction boxes will not be accessible as they would be set into the wall.
My second snag is i was hoping to run the cable through the cavity but this now also seems to be a nono. If i fixed the cable to the inner wall to prevent water gapping and have no intention of using cavity insulation would that be ok?? If not could i protect the cable by putting it in some protective plastic piping or do i need channel out my perfectly straight and flat walls?? Tears streaming down my face!!
Gratefull for any advice, Brian.

Hi Brian, first the supply, if you don't need lots of power in conservatory, you could put a fused spur next to the socket in doors and run radial around cons. no limit to number of outlets as max load 13A fused;
or you could extend ring by taking one set of wires out of socket, connect/crimp inback of socket box to new cable out to ring in cons. & back to socket terms.
As for running cables in cavity, if cons. done with planning regs then has to have insulation fixed to inner wall with 25mm air gap to outer leaf so not much chance of not 'bridging' .
Why not run skirting /dado trunking? or if suitable construction ie 1/2 glazed false mini trunking under sill level, I know it's not easiest room to deal with but there is usually a way, regards SPARX

Thanks Sparx for your reply. Can you tell me whether i need to crimp or can i use junction boxes( inaccessible to extend the ring?

Hi Brian forgive me if i misunderstood your original intention or my reply was not clear but;
If you have access to a socket why do you talk about JB's?
To extend ring from socket direct does not require any, only one set of through connectors in back box!
If your intention is to somehow cut into ring cable at a point remote from socket I worry....
please tell me more!, B.W. SPARX

Thanks for reply and assistance mate. What i am planning to do is to extend the ring from the one 2g socket as i have done continuity checks and for some unknown reason the next socket in the ring is upstairs in my daughters room. I cannot get access to this socket from downstairs. So i was going to break into the ring from the dining room socket and then go back to that socket to connect to the cable with either crimps or junction box (whichever one is legal!!) which goes to the socket upstairs. A bit confusing i know but i cannot think of any thing else, unless i run a fused spur of the dining room socket. If i did that can i run another fused spur of that one for underfloor heating?? I don't think i can.

So in short plan to extend ring from the one 2g socket and then connect back to the cable which goes upstairs with either crimps or juction box??

Thanks again. Brian

Hi Brian, I think we are saying same thing, just calling it by different names.
when you say J.B do you mean connector blocks in back of dbl.skt box?
If so then yes do it that way, crimps take less room but Car type (usually yellow) not approved for mains wiring generally as current rating unknown.
Some people wire rings left/right rather up/down circuits in attempt to even out load over the circuits, but can lead to sockets in one room being on different circuits, not a good idea I think!
regards SPARX