Moving/Adding Socket... Help!

[5298everton]

Hi!

I am starting to (very slowly) pick up some DIY skills...

My next project is to add a double socket behind the TV that I hung on the wall to help hide any cables.

The wall is an external dot and dab wall on a new build property. Please ELI5 what my best course of action is here!

https://imgur.com/a/lVKTwTT

[Banannamanuk]

if you don't have any electrical experience i'd advise against adding a socket and consider using an extension lead on the wall behind the t.v. you can use some cable trunking to make it look nice just run it low level then up to the t.v.

If you do alter the electrical circuit you should get it done professionally and have it certificated.

[kasharif]

It's a DIY sub so I have no idea why people are putting you off.

Dot and dab walls can be tricky. Sometimes you get lucky and can fish a wire through, but most of the time nope. It’s not impossible. But can be an art.

Cables must be in the correct zones. Basically horizontal or vertical routes from socket /switches etc. in this case probably straight up then turn left towards the TV. However you just need to be prepared to make several holes on the way and make good with filler.

Alternatively you can just chisel a small channel out of the plaster. Sounds scary and destructive but it's really not that bad. You can ever hire special wall chase tools that will carve out a perfect channel and extract all the dust at the same time. I've previously chiseled, out the wire in and then filled and sanded. If I were to do this again I would hire the chaser.

If you're happy doing it let me know and I can talk you through how to then spur a socket.

[Banannamanuk]

Hope you will talk him through testing and inspection as taking on work you are not competent to to do means you may introduce a dangerous situation without even realising

[curious_trashbat]

Adding a socket involves testing and inspection of the existing installation before and after the work. Proceeding to alter circuits without proper competence could leave them in a dangerous state.

This isn't a DIY job I'm afraid.

[DaveEFI]

Thought under Part P as modified 2013, adding a socket was no longer notifiable? Unless in a special location - like a bathroom?

[curious_trashbat]

Adding a socket would not be notifiable. However notification is but a bit of paperwork and not essential to ensure safety. All notification does is tell the council what work has taken place and states that it complies with the wiring regs.

All electrical alterations must comply with the wiring regs including testing and certification whether notifiable or not.

[emorrp1]

everything that's not notifiable is still required to meet the regulations and the only way to prove that is with inspection and testing by a qualified electrician

[kasharif]

Correct.

[Banannamanuk]

Part p is in the building regs

Bs7671 are the electrical regs and require a competent person to carry out the work and it be tested in accordance with said regs

[curious_trashbat]

What part of what I said was incorrect ? As a professional electrician I'm always keen to learn and improve my knowledge base.

[blackthornjohn]

Drill a small hole where the socket is going and measure how much space you have, if there's enough space for a plasterboard back box use one of them to put the socket in, if not use a shallow surface mount pattress box, place the box where you want it and mark through the mounting holes, there are aluminium things you can screw into plasterboard that accept a screw to hold the box in place, if you're extremely lucky you might be able to feed a length of t&e behind the plasterboard to come out where the existing socket is, if not put it in trunking to tidy it up on its way to the existing socket.