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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
Why are the sockets always in the wrong place?
I've got the urge to move the furniture around but I can't make it work as the sockets limit where things can go.
Anyone else feeling the spruce it up bug?
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Whenever we renovate a room we put 2 double sockets on every wall, (13 in the kitchen!)
But half always get hidden by stuff, and you never have enough.
4 in the lounge are permanently used for phone chargers alone!
Mr ddc |
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By *igeiaWoman
over a year ago
Bristol |
I've started renovations and one of the first things I planned was extra plug sockets. I have surge four-ways hidden behind every significant piece of furniture in my front room still though. Most annoying! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Sockets in our house are fine but in hotel rooms they drive me potty, why can't they just be near the bloody bed for once?! "
I met someone who brought an extension cable with him to solve that exact eventuality  |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Whenever we renovate a room we put 2 double sockets on every wall, (13 in the kitchen!)
But half always get hidden by stuff, and you never have enough.
4 in the lounge are permanently used for phone chargers alone!
Mr ddc"
Thirteen! You're just greedy you are.
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I had to plan my kitchen around a bloody gas meter!!!!!! Having to do it again now and dreading it  I need a handyman who accepts dinner as payment "
Meters in the wrong place must be a pain, especially in the kitchen. That's cupboard space it's using up.
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"had the same problem recently with the sockets so moved them, where I wanted them in a much better place now
shouldnt need changing again "
It sounds like you have expertise in these matters. Mine are where they are. |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I've started renovations and one of the first things I planned was extra plug sockets. I have surge four-ways hidden behind every significant piece of furniture in my front room still though. Most annoying!"
Mine aren't so well hidden. |
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"Sockets in our house are fine but in hotel rooms they drive me potty, why can't they just be near the bloody bed for once?!
I met someone who brought an extension cable with him to solve that exact eventuality "
My lap top bag has an extension lead and also one in my camera bag. (not only on meets but on work trips as well). |
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"Whenever we renovate a room we put 2 double sockets on every wall, (13 in the kitchen!)
But half always get hidden by stuff, and you never have enough.
4 in the lounge are permanently used for phone chargers alone!
Mr ddc
Thirteen! You're just greedy you are.
"
I drew up a list of what needed plugging in, it's amazing the number of electrical things in a kitchen nowadays! |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Whenever we renovate a room we put 2 double sockets on every wall, (13 in the kitchen!)
But half always get hidden by stuff, and you never have enough.
4 in the lounge are permanently used for phone chargers alone!
Mr ddc
Thirteen! You're just greedy you are.
I drew up a list of what needed plugging in, it's amazing the number of electrical things in a kitchen nowadays!"
It's amazing that you need them all plugged in at the same time. You do that cooking thing though so I bet you use mixers and stuff.
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I like everything to have it's own place, but it's also all the other stuff: radio, tv, digibox, doorbell chime, phone charger (so I can Fab while I cook!), landline-telephone, heater, etc. I was adamant I'd have plenty this time.
(Then added a couple more to make sure!) |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I like everything to have it's own place, but it's also all the other stuff: radio, tv, digibox, doorbell chime, phone charger (so I can Fab while I cook!), landline-telephone, heater, etc. I was adamant I'd have plenty this time.
(Then added a couple more to make sure!)"
I think you had to stop at 13 as you ran out of space for sockets. |
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"I like everything to have it's own place, but it's also all the other stuff: radio, tv, digibox, doorbell chime, phone charger (so I can Fab while I cook!), landline-telephone, heater, etc. I was adamant I'd have plenty this time.
(Then added a couple more to make sure!)
I think you had to stop at 13 as you ran out of space for sockets. "
You've got me worried now, 13 might be unlucky 
I knew I'd planned 11, and added an extra 2, but I never added them up until tonight
 |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I like everything to have it's own place, but it's also all the other stuff: radio, tv, digibox, doorbell chime, phone charger (so I can Fab while I cook!), landline-telephone, heater, etc. I was adamant I'd have plenty this time.
(Then added a couple more to make sure!)
I think you had to stop at 13 as you ran out of space for sockets.
You've got me worried now, 13 might be unlucky
I knew I'd planned 11, and added an extra 2, but I never added them up until tonight
"
Triskaidekaphobic Mr DDC?
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I had to plan my kitchen around a bloody gas meter!!!!!! Having to do it again now and dreading it I need a handyman who accepts dinner as payment "
I built my last kitchen..adding/moving sockets not a problem  |
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"Sockets in our house are fine but in hotel rooms they drive me potty, why can't they just be near the bloody bed for once?!
I met someone who brought an extension cable with him to solve that exact eventuality "
I've made a 4 way extension with a euro plug for exactly this reason when i go on holiday, always under the desk and never enough outlets to charge my camera batteries.
At home its quite easy, need more sockets- just add them. Recent bedroom refurb has gone from 2 awkwardly placed doubles to 7 doubles exactly where I need them, plus various singles. Theres more in that room than there was in the entire house when i first moved in |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Sockets in our house are fine but in hotel rooms they drive me potty, why can't they just be near the bloody bed for once?!
I met someone who brought an extension cable with him to solve that exact eventuality
I've made a 4 way extension with a euro plug for exactly this reason when i go on holiday, always under the desk and never enough outlets to charge my camera batteries.
At home its quite easy, need more sockets- just add them. Recent bedroom refurb has gone from 2 awkwardly placed doubles to 7 doubles exactly where I need them, plus various singles. Theres more in that room than there was in the entire house when i first moved in"
You and Mr DDC need to get together.
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I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading, most devices are low power anyway. I have around 25 power outlets in the lounge and just counted 36 in my study (32 of which I can power down from a single switch). The kitchen has about 10, but they're all wall sockets, no plugboards as kitchen devices are typically higher power. Obviously I don't need to use all of them all the time, but wherever I am in the house, there's always a spare socket in easy reach.
I always pack a plugboard, even if it's just an overnight hotel stay. |
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"I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading"
Not much chance of overloading them anyway as the 13amp fuse in the plug or body will blow before you overload the 32A MCB protecting the circuit- no need for Ohms law  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading
"
But but...That's only the VA figure, what about the power factor for each appliance?
Have you considered the effect if you reverse the polarity of the neutron flow by accident?
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"I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading
Not much chance of overloading them anyway as the 13amp fuse in the plug or body will blow before you overload the 32A MCB protecting the circuit- no need for Ohms law "
Ohms law is that the resistance increases in direct proportion to the current flowing in a circuit.
Often people confuse the mathematical derivative of this; V=IR as being Ohms law, but it isn't.
P(watts) = VI is not Ohms law, it's the power equation.
And yes, if the circuit breaker in the consumer unit ( sometimes erroneously called the fusebox) doesn't trip, the 13A fuse in the plugboard will.
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"I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading
But but...That's only the VA figure, what about the power factor for each appliance?
Have you considered the effect if you reverse the polarity of the neutron flow by accident?
"
That's what the anti-matter collider and flux capacitor are for.
DiLithium crystals help too.
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading
Not much chance of overloading them anyway as the 13amp fuse in the plug or body will blow before you overload the 32A MCB protecting the circuit- no need for Ohms law
Ohms law is that the resistance increases in direct proportion to the current flowing in a circuit.
Often people confuse the mathematical derivative of this; V=IR as being Ohms law, but it isn't.
P(watts) = VI is not Ohms law, it's the power equation.
And yes, if the circuit breaker in the consumer unit ( sometimes erroneously called the fusebox) doesn't trip, the 13A fuse in the plugboard will.
"
OK, the ignorant question: what's a plug board?
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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago
Titz Towers, North Notts |
"It could be worse - I saw someone in the photos section who had foreign sockets in their house. 
Were they living in Foreign or just visiting Foreign do you think?
"
Foreign surprised to be on Fab I think  |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"one of those multi socket boards, 4 way, 6 way, i.e. a board (usually plastic) of sockets that you plug into - hence, plugboard
"
What I might call a four/six/other numbers are available gang extension lead? |
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"yes
Phew! I those all over the place. I need a really long one to use all the space well.
"
Just don't plug a fan heater, hair dryer and curling tongs in at the same time, phone chargers, modern TVs, Hi fi, low energy lamps (like 5 to 10Watts) tablets, laptops are all good
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"yes
Phew! I those all over the place. I need a really long one to use all the space well.
Just don't plug a fan heater, hair dryer and curling tongs in at the same time, phone chargers, modern TVs, Hi fi, low energy lamps (like 5 to 10Watts) tablets, laptops are all good
"
Luckily I don't own a fan heater, hair dryer or curling tongs.
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"I just use plug boards hidden behind furniture, less unsightly than loads of sockets on the wall. If you understand Volts x Amps = Power, then no danger of overloading
Not much chance of overloading them anyway as the 13amp fuse in the plug or body will blow before you overload the 32A MCB protecting the circuit- no need for Ohms law
Ohms law is that the resistance increases in direct proportion to the current flowing in a circuit.
Often people confuse the mathematical derivative of this; V=IR as being Ohms law, but it isn't.
P(watts) = VI is not Ohms law, it's the power equation.
And yes, if the circuit breaker in the consumer unit ( sometimes erroneously called the fusebox) doesn't trip, the 13A fuse in the plugboard will.
"
Maybe you should google 'Ohms law triangle' which lets you calculate the voltage, current or resistance based on the other two- i don't believe Mr Ohm has amended his law since i qualified xx years ago as he's a bit dead.
P=IxV, V=IxR, I=V/R or various other formulae are all part of Ohms law
As for the fuse Vs MCB, the MCB quite possibly could trip before the fuse blew in an overload condition, unless it was gradual, as they're more sensitive (30ma fault current)
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Tell me about it!
All my ionic relay outlets are bloody miles from where I need them. Those Andoluvian extension cables are all very well but they overheat a lot and burn the lino in the bridge.
I'm switching to phased-couplings as soon as I can afford it. |
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"I'm not a DIY type person. Does it make a mess of walls having new sockets fitted? I have virgin walls, no paper etc. Average 2 sockets per room and almost all in the wrong place.
Thanks."
I would say not. (Mrs ddc would tend to disagree)
I have a special tool that drills square and rectangular holes for the pattresses (the boxes the sockets screw onto). It simply converts all the plaster, stone and brickwork into a very fine dust which it spreads evenly around the whole house.
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"I'm not a DIY type person. Does it make a mess of walls having new sockets fitted? I have virgin walls, no paper etc. Average 2 sockets per room and almost all in the wrong place.
Thanks."
A bit, if you have floorboards, quite a lot if its concrete floors as the cables usually drop down from the floorspace above, so the walls have to be chased out from the ceiling for the cable runs.
A good plasterer might be able to patch up any minor works but if its coming from the roof or you require near perfect smooth walls, then it will probably need a full fill & skim. |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Tell me about it!
All my ionic relay outlets are bloody miles from where I need them. Those Andoluvian extension cables are all very well but they overheat a lot and burn the lino in the bridge.
I'm switching to phased-couplings as soon as I can afford it. "
Are phased couplings a swinger thing?
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By *opinovMan
over a year ago
Point Nemo, Cumbria |
"Why are the sockets always in the wrong place?
I've got the urge to move the furniture around but I can't make it work as the sockets limit where things can go.
Anyone else feeling the spruce it up bug?
"
What you need is a good long 4-gang. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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this looks like a neat solution that I would consider if I was doing something from scratch
Mainline Movable Sockets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-k7ezCwn0o
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Why are the sockets always in the wrong place?
I've got the urge to move the furniture around but I can't make it work as the sockets limit where things can go.
Anyone else feeling the spruce it up bug?
What you need is a good long 4-gang."
I agree. A four gang with some length would help enormously.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"this looks like a neat solution that I would consider if I was doing something from scratch
Mainline Movable Sockets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-k7ezCwn0o
Oooo! "
++
I think that excited someone ;o) |
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Thanks Mr DerbyDalesCpl and Velvet Rope for your answers on how much effect additional socket installations would affect virgin walls. I see from DDC that the drilling is easy, as it leaves crisp holes, but Velvet Rope's saying that it may need replastering. I'm guessing £200 ish to replaster each wall, plus the cost of the electrician fitting the wiring and sockets, which I think all have to be certified to current safety standards.
Or that Mainline track system - cost of bits plus installation. 2M starter kit is £54. I can see that's a nice flexible system and would perhaps be cheaper to install than drilling lots of
holes for wires to be laid in, in the walls.
So, not a cheap option really to get a few sockets. Assuming it could work out cheaper if all the walls weren't bare. Whilst someone can do bits of work themselves, they'd need it certified by an appropriate person, or else they'd be committing a criminal offence. Don't know how easy those track things would be to install, but they look fairly simple, albeit you'd need to put some wire in them. Perhaps an odd job person job, and then get it certified. |
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It depends when you're next thinking of redecorating, Sophie. That's the best time to get it done. In the meantime a few local electricians should be willing to give you a rough quote. (There's so many variables)
Till then I'd just stick with fused extension leads. They're just as safe, and you can always clip the cables to the skirting to make it look neater.
We have one single socket in both the lounge and the dining room currently, both with a succession of extensions plugged in. The fuses protect you from any danger of overloading.
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"The new rules that sockets have to be near enough waist hight is fucking annoying.
Looks ugly and now you cot cables hanging everywhere."
They don't have to be.
can't remember the exact wording (and i'm going nowhere near that bloody book for a while to check- just done amendment 1.5  ) but it something like 'outlets should be mounted at a height of 0.6m above floor level'- bought in to comply with DDA regs IIRC? ( i don't get involved with domestic stuff, except for my own gaff)
But! you can use a request for deviation to put them where you want- i've just put all mine in just above the skirting board, the same height as the original sockets in the room. |
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"
Maybe you should google 'Ohms law triangle' which lets you calculate the voltage, current or resistance based on the other two- i don't believe Mr Ohm has amended his law since i qualified xx years ago as he's a bit dead.
P=IxV, V=IxR, I=V/R or various other formulae are all part of Ohms law
As for the fuse Vs MCB, the MCB quite possibly could trip before the fuse blew in an overload condition, unless it was gradual, as they're more sensitive (30ma fault current)
"
Maybe you should take your own advice and google Ohm's law, though I did mis-state it somewhat (I'd had a few brandies) - It is of course that the current flowing is directly proportional to the potential difference applied, which makes it inversely proportional to the resistance.
V=IR, R=V/I, I=R/V are all mathematical derivations from Ohm's law, but not the law itself. The VIR triangle is for numpties who can't do basic algebraic manipulation (but note the absence of any P).
Power dissipation forms no part of Ohm's law, so I stand by my comment that P=IV is the Power equation, not Ohm's law, nor any mathematical derivative thereof.
However, by re-arranging the Power equation to make V the subject we get V=P/I. Substituting for V in the Ohmic equation we get P/I=IR. Re-arranging to make P the subject of the equation we get P=I^2R, which enables us to calculate the power dissipation across an ohmic resistance, where V is not known but I and R are (all done without numpty triangles) |
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Oh, I meant to point out, that the relationship between Power, Voltage and current, was discovered by James Joule, not George Ohm. The expression P=I^2R is known as Joules Law (though many misinformed people attribute the electrical power equations to Ohm - but they are wrong) |
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Thanks again DDC. I think I will stick with extension leads. My unrest has mainly been spurred by visitors who've mentioned all of my leads. When they pay to live here or have an accident, I could allow myself to take more action. I've just seen a cheap canaries holiday for £400, and thinking my cash could go on that instead. |
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