Not Enough Plug Sockets UK

1) When your Liverpool home does not have enough plug sockets it can be frustrating🤦‍♂️

We all have many modern-day appliances and electrical items that require the use of plug sockets to function. Years ago, it was commonplace to have one socket in each room and in many cases, this may have been a single socket. These days, it is far more common to see multiple sockets in each room of the home especially in new buildings. 

Not enough plug sockets can indicate that there is likely to be an overuse of extension leads in the property which may present a risk of electrical overload leading to fire risk. In many cases, your electrician can quote to add further plug sockets in the property and this should alleviate the problem. This can be a relatively straightforward job but there may be issues should your electrician find any electrical problems during their routine safety testing. 

If your home has few electrical sockets then it could mean that the electrical installation is very old and this could signal problems. Single sockets instead of double sockets combined with a real lack of enough sockets could mean that the installation requires rewiring. 

Having an electrical inspection carried out on your home is a great idea to find out if there are any pre-existing electrical issues. An electrical inspection will highlight any wiring defects, dangerous or potentially dangerous situations and other aspects of your electrical system that you may not have been aware of.

2) Can more plug sockets be added to ANY electrical system?🤷‍♂️

No. The electrical installation will need to meet many of the current safety wiring regulations in order for more plug sockets to be installed. Regulation 132.16 of the IET Wiring Regulations means that electricians should check that the safety of the current system including the suitability of the earthing arrangements is sufficient before carrying out work on the system. 

If you have an old fuse box style fuse board rather than a modern consumer unit then this may need to be upgraded prior to additional sockets being added on to the electrical installation whereas if you have a fairly modern consumer unit then there may be minimal upgrading necessary in order to install additional socket outlets for you.

3) Is there a limit to how many additional sockets I can have?🤔

Generally, there is no limit to how many additional plug sockets can be added to an existing circuit. Your electrician should discuss with you the intended use of the extra plug sockets to make sure that the consumer unit / fuse box can supply enough power to them. There would be little use in installing additional sockets if they would not power the equipment that you intended to plug into them and a discussion beforehand can avoid an awkward situation after the work has been completed.😊 

4) Are double / twin sockets more expensive to install than single sockets?💷

No. This may vary between electricians but from our point of view they cost the same. The double socket requires more work in cutting out the wall but then from an installation point of view they are slightly easier to wire up as there tends to be a little more room in the back of the box for the cables. The work tends to even out a little and makes little difference especially once all the tools are out of the van and the work is being done. 

5) Can double sockets provide double the electrical power / current of a single socket?⚡

No. Generally most double sockets are only rated to 13 amps just like single sockets. Interesting, eh? 

This means that if you had plans to have a double socket installed to power the dishwasher AND washing machine or tumble drier, then you may need to think again. Two single sockets would be a better option with each potentially controlled by a separate 20-amp switch for example. Many double sockets have been discovered burnt out because they were continually subject to a 20-amp load and could not take it any longer.😊

6) Can I have 3 extra plugs in each room and what will it cost?💰

If you have the need for 3 extra plugs in each room or several extra plugs across the house then you may want to talk with your electrician about an electrical inspection to find out the condition of the wiring before you start. Adding additional sockets in each room or several across the house means modifying the wiring system considerably and also highlights the inadequacy of the current system to meet your needs. It is possible that the original wiring system was never designed to cope with modern day power needs and consideration needs to be given to a rewire potentially. 

The costs for an additional socket can vary depending on its location, proximity to existing wiring, what upgrades are needed to the wiring system to comply with current regulations and so forth. A new socket in a brand-new home immediately next to an existing socket is likely to cost a lot less than wanting a couple of extra sockets in an old house on walls where no existing wiring is present and where the fuse box is very old. 

7) Can I have plug sockets as high or low as I like?⬆️⬇️

Yes. In an existing building there is no restriction on heights. Care should be taken to ensure that electrical accessories remain accessible to all persons, able bodied and otherwise in order that all persons can use them safely. It is common for customers to want plug sockets behind the wall mounted television so the wiring is hidden or as low as existing sockets in the installation so all sockets are at the same height otherwise it may look odd. 

If you find that there are NOT ENOUGH PLUG SOCKETS then we are always happy to have a discussion with you as to what is possible for your home.😊

Not enough plug sockets in your Liverpool home? Contact Electrical Faults Fixed today!