Extra Sockets in Cambridge
The use of appliances that need to be plugged in has increased hugely in recent years and many homes find themselves short of a socket to plug into. Most people will turn to using an extension lead which is a fine as temporary solution however long term something more permanent and safer should be considered.
A lot of enquires for extra sockets come from new home owners undertaking renovations. Many older houses were not built-in mind with the electric demands of today so it's not unusual to find only two single sockets in most rooms with maybe an extra double in the kitchen – far from ideal! So, as well as extra sockets being added its quite often single sockets need to be converted to a double.
More modern houses may also find that they have more appliances than they can plug in or the sockets are not conveniently placed for use. Rather than running a long cable it's much tidier and more efficient to get extra sockets installed and eliminate the need for extension cables and wires which can be a safety hazard for fires, surges and tripping over.
Extension leads can also pose a danger to the unsuspecting user. If you are using an extension lead with space for 4 sockets – it doesn’t mean the extension lead can always cope with having four appliances plugged in. Extension leads have a current rating of how much power can run through it at any one time so you need to ensure the appliances plugged in do not exceed the current rating. If unchecked and the combination is higher than the rating this can lead to overheating or even fire.
If you find yourself using an extension lead regularly in the same place it's probably time for an extra socket.
Extra outdoor sockets are also a common request making it easier to use electrical appliances outside rather than having to run an extension cable out to where you need it which presents a handful of hazards alone!
Extra sockets should always be installed by a qualified registered electrician to ensure the installation is in line with regulations and safety standards.
Another option available when adding extra sockets is adding USB sockets which allow you to streamline your charging effectively. This reduces the need for bulky adaptors and allow you to plug in multiple devices with ease. Most wall sockets in the UK share around 30amps between the outlets which is no different for USB Sockets. This means you may not be able to plug in multiple devices that require a higher number of amps to work most small devices will charge up to 40% faster when plugged directly into the USB adaptor.
GDR Electrical are able to offer the following when installing extra sockets in your home:
- My work is in line with the latest BS7671 regulations.
- Certification provided for all new electrical installations.
- All work meets Part P legal requirements.
- I’m a NICEIC Approved Contractor. This gives you the full protection of the NICEIC’s 6-year guarantee on all workmanship carried out by me.
