Households issued 30cm warning over installing an outdoor socket
Be careful the next time you try to set up an outdoor socket – there are strict rules around where they can be placed. Otherwise, you risk creating a major fire hazard in your home.
The rule is in accordance with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, which is designed to make electricity safer in the UK. It also brings existing electrical installations in the UK up to EU standards. The guide states that for safety reasons, sockets outdoors can only be installed by trained electricians.
Electrician Stephen Jones from HomeHow.co.uk explained that it is more than just a DIY task. He wrote: 'There are too many safety issues to consider doing this work yourself, both for you as a homeowner and for anyone who may use the socket. Therefore, it's important to hire an electrician to do this work for you.'
Common dangers that arise from working with electricity include electric shock, which can be fatal. You also risk creating a fire hazard if the job isn't completed properly.
Another problem that may occur is damaging the existing electrical wiring in your home. This can lead to further damage and potentially expensive repairs.
Particularly when it comes to outdoor sockets, there are specific rules that must be followed. One of the most important is making sure that your socket is placed high enough from the ground.
External sockets must be placed at least 30 cm off the ground. One of the major reasons for this is to protect the socket from overexposure to water during heavy rain.
It also shortens the amount of cabling needed to connect the socket to the main power supply. This helps account for issues like voltage drop and potential failure points.
Aside from height, it's also important to consider where in your outdoor space you want the socket fixed. Ideally, it should be placed somewhere sheltered from the elements.
For this reason, outdoor sockets should have a high IP (Ingress Protection rating). An IP44 or higher is usually a safe bet, as it indicates a resistance to both water and dust.
If large amounts of water seep into a water socket, it can cause the electrical current to increase. This is because it is a natural conductor of electricity. Once a enough water is in the socket, it can lead to short circuits, in turn causing wires to heat up. In a worst case scenario, it can even start an electrical fire.
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