The minimum number of sockets in terms of safety

Voltimum - What safety issues do you think need to be considered by increasing the number of sockets installed in homes?

Alan Roadway - There's a greater demand on load. However, an issue often not considered is that increasing the number of sockets for electrical safety also increases the number of sockets young children and toddlers can access, so increasing the potential for accidents.

To increase safety, there is a need to ensure that an appropriate number of RCDs are employed, and also that plug covers are placed on sockets where young children are present.

2) Installations:

Voltimum - How do you think the socket outlets issue affects wiring and other points relating to installations?

Alan Roadway - The more sockets that are used may mean that cabling may need to be upgraded. Electrical contractors should ensure that the existing cabling can manage the extra sockets. Therefore, increasing the number of sockets needs to take into account wiring, cabling and fuse size. The worst-case scenario is that the house would need to be re-wired.

3) Legislation:

Voltimum - What pieces of legislation would electrical contractors need to consider?

Alan Roadway - Electrical contractors should keep in mind BS7671 and its recent additions. It will advise them on the maximum number of sockets that can be placed in different rooms.

4) Other issues:

Voltimum - What other things should they make their customers aware of?

Alan Roadway - In terms of the demand on load, two factors need to be considered - where sockets are placed, and what is being plugged into them. Installers would need to apply a suitable number of circuit breakers as potential for overload is increased.

In both domestic and commercial environments they should be aware of the demand on the load and consider the number of items is use and what time of day this is. This is where measurements obtained through the use of energy meters would be beneficial.

Voltimum - Alan, thank you very much.