Electrical Wiring and installation of 13A Socket Outlet, How to wire a 13A Socket Outlet, Do it yourself Wiring a 13A Socket Outlet

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Wiring 13A Switched Socket Outlet

[13A Receptacle]

Background

Wiring of 13A Switched Socket outlet points is very much in need in Electrical Installation Work. Here we are considering wiring a 13A Socket Outlet [Receptacle] point for 50Hz, 230V AC Power Supply. Installation work described here is according to British Standards. [IEE Regulations and Practice ].

13A Switched Socket outlets need to be wired in a special way called " Ring Circuits" or in " Radial Circuits"

When used in Ring Circuits, each circuit can be used in a floor area of 100 sq. meters with a number of 13A Switched Socket outlets [13A receptacles] connected to a 32A rated MCB using 2.5 mm2 cables for L,N and E.

When used in Radial Circuits, each circuit can be used in a floor area of 20 sq. meters with a number of 13A Switched Socket outlets [13A receptacles] connected to a 20A rated MCB using 2.5 mm2 cables for L,N and E.

Material Requirement

" Ring Circuits" or " Radial Circuits" use, 2.5 mm2 [called as 1.5 mm squared] Cross sectioned double insulated Cu [Copper] Cables [Cu/PVC/PVC] are used for the Phase [Live ] and the Neutral cables.

Earth [Ground ]cable also should be 2.5mm2 single insulated Cu[Copper] Cables [Cu/PVC] for both Industrial or Residential type of applications.

Cable lengths for the above circuits will be such that voltage drop along the cables will be with in the approved limits of 10% of Supply Voltage.

Accessory Requirement

PVC Boxes to install the 13A Switched Socket outlets

13A Switched Socket outlets [Single or Double]

MCB 32A -01 nos [ from a Distribution Board already installed] for Ring Circuits

MCB 20A -01 nos [ from a Distribution Board already installed] for Radial Circuits

Preparation

Install the socket outlet boxes at the required positions. Lay PVC conduits from the Distribution Board to the receptacle positions. The conduits can be embedded into the wall structure and or lay outside, clipped to the wall or structure. Instead of PVC conduits and switch boxes, GI conduits and switch boxes are being used for Industrial type of installations where you need protection for cables from physical damage. In some wooden structured buildings, the cables are installed inside panels without conduits being used.The Cables should be colour coded correctly for Phase[Live],Neutral and Earth.

Method of Wiring -Ring Circuits

Make sure that the Power is isolated [ shut down] to the Distribution board or any circuit you will be working with.

Connect the Phase [L] wire to the outgoing side of a 32A MCB from the Distribution Board [DB]. Draw the Phase wire to the socket outlet box and connect to terminal marked as L [Line] of the nearest 13A receptacle.

Connect the Neutral [N] wire to the Neutral Link provided in the DB and draw the wire to the nearest 13A receptacle and connect to the terminal marked as N [Neutral].

Connect the Earth [E] wire to the Earth link provided in the Distribution Board. Draw Earth wire to the nearest receptacle and connect to the terminal marked as E [Earth].

Now we have all three wires L,N,E from the Distribution Board connected to the first receptacle .

From the same socket outlet, take another set of 3 wires from L,N,E and connect to the second socket outlet.

From the second socket outlet, take another set of 3 wires from L,N,E and connect to the third socket outlet.

Proceed like this until you come to the last 13A socket outlet. From this last socket outlet take the 3 wires L,N,E and draw up to the Distribution Board again and connect Line [L] to the same 32A MCB. N to the same neutral link and Earth to the earth link.

From each 13A socket outlet, you can wire for another 13A socket outlet, which is called a "Spur".

It is good practice to number the Phase and the Neutral wires at the DB for easy identification as one circuit.

Method of Wiring -Radial Circuits