Inside the Socket

Most common sockets in the home

With the number of gadgets and technology in our homes rising, so is the number of sockets, resulting in every home having an average of 4 sockets per room. It’s important that you are aware of what’s really inside your sockets and understand how they work and protect you.

The wiring of a socket depends mostly of the type of circuit, with the most commonly used socket circuit being a ring final circuit. This circuit means that the cable begins at the consumer unit, before looping around, in a ring pattern, to each socket, before looping back to the consumer unit to form a ring of cable.

How do sockets work?

When you a push a plug, the earth pin at the top is the longest and therefore enters first.

As the earth pin is pushed in, the two protective shutters in front of the line and neutral pins are opened, allowing the plug to be pushed in all the way.

Once in, each of the three pins connect with their connectors, which are connected to the wiring terminals.

Modern USB sockets

New socket designs have built in USB ports, because of the rising number of portable devices. By installing these modern sockets, you can charge more items through the socket and also free up another socket, minimising the need for extension cables.

When buying a modern socket, there are just a few things you need to look out for. First, look at how many amps each USB outlet is rated at. It’s important that your socket has a strong enough amp rating to charge your gadgets quickly and efficiently.

iPads and other tablets normally need a high amp rating of around 2.1 amps. However phones will only need around 1.0 amps to charge efficiently. For this case, it is best to look for sockets that have a USB rating of 2.0 amps.

Next, only buy from a reputable retailer, like B&Q, Wickes and Screwfix, to ensure they have been tested and are of a high standard. Don’t be tempted by cheaper unbranded alternatives online, as it may not have been safety tested and could be a fire risk in your home.

Outside sockets

By installing a protected, outside socket, you are removing any trip hazards and any risks that come from using an extension lead outside.

They do not take long to install, but you first must decide on a suitable location, so that the new outside socket backs onto an existing internal socket to easily share the power. Then drill through the wall to the outside location and connect the cable between the two sockets to extend the power supply.

As it is an outside socket, you must remember that the enclosure for the socket must have an appropriate IP rating, so it is protected from a variety of weather conditions. It is also important to make sure the new outside socket has sufficient RCD protection, which it will have if the house has been wired after 2008. However, if it hasn’t, you will need to use an RCD protected outside socket for maximum protection.

Homeowner FAQs

My socket front is cracked and damaged. Can I replace the front or do I need to call an electrician?

If your socket cover is cracked or damaged, it will need replacing. Homeowners can change socket front without the need for an electrician. However you will need to safely isolate the circuit first, so that no one turns it on while you are working on it.

Are sockets with USB ports better?

Socket outlets with USB ports allow you to use more items at one time, without the need for an extension cable. For this reason, many believe they are better than regular sockets. Whether they are better is dependent on a few factors, including the brand and how many amps the USB ports have in them.

I turned on an appliance and it tripped the power in the house, what should I do?

The Residual Current Device (RCD) on your consumer unit trips to protect you from any faults. If a particular circuit breaker continues to trip, it is best to call a registered electrician to come and inspect the circuit for any faults.