basically, ive done a small amount of electrical work along side my father, but now i want to make a sort of box containing plug sockets to plug in my xmas lights next year as well when mow the lawn - this is the sort of thiing i had in mind:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300636340871? ... 1497.l2649

i saw this sort of thing on ebay and was wondering how easy would it be to create something similar? i wasnt thinking of 10 sockets, maybe 8 or something? how do i connect the 2 individual extensio gangs to enable it to run off one plug like his? thanks.

that is an accident waiting to happen
you need waterproof sockets or a waterproof "box" that will be waterproof for years
once you attach/fix the box as you will need to it becomes an outside fixed location that needs to comply with part "P"

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we are all ------------------still learning

Firstly, any outdoor sockets MUST have RCD protection. To ignore this is to invite death into your home. Purchase a ready-made PROTECTED unit and relax in the thought of a safe home.

Secondly, where your (and other peoples) safety comees into the picture, USE THE CORRECT STUFF in the CORRECT MANNER. You won't save much money by purchasing all those parts individually and the time/effort involved in wiring it all up will drive you crazy.

You can purchase multi-way extensions for use IN THE HOME (not outdoors) at many places such as this:

http://cpc.farnell.com/brennenstuhl/115 ... dp/PL03194

and they are available in other 'ways' as well (2-way up to 10-way).

Note how cheap they are!

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This post may contain nuts

as above.

all i was going to add is that the idiot that sold that on Ebay is a typical example of somebody that thinks that because it works it is a good safe item. not only has he admitted he has used it for years and got away with it, the fool then goes and sells it to somebody. if that person has an accident with it he is liable because it does not comply with anything.

for your own safety do not try to copy that idiotic method.

Aldi and Lidi do from time to time sell 10 way units and there is no good reason to make a botched up system which will likely cost more than one of the proprietary made items.

As to RCD protection I have taken so many back to the shop after the salesman has told my wife she must have one I have lost count. My house complied with BS7671:2008 and to use 30ma RCD's is pointless only 10ma RCD's have any use.

I will agree many house's do not comply with BS7671:2008 but even then I would hope any socket used to supply power outside would have RCD protection that was BS7671:2001 requirement ten years ago and every house should be tested every 10 years so owner should be aware of any discrepancies!

What one must consider is anyone who ventures onto your property be it a child or the postman if injured can claim from you. To use 230v lights outside is asking for problems and with so many extra low voltage types now on the market really there is no excuse.

I looked at the cost to re-bulb my old lights from 1990's and it was a non starter. Using 230v SES bulbs is now out and the LED system has long ago replaced the 230v systems. In my case all transformers are in the garage and only the extra low voltage part is outside.

Also 20 x 15W bulbs is still 300W which is expensive to run. So it's in the bin with old SES lights and LED in the future.

my god that ebay item actually sold?!

a few of these would suffice...
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/ ... index.html

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- Dave
http://www.pamperhouse.net
http://www.invertedcircle.co.uk

Exactly...I'm amazed people thought it good enough to bid on, just looks like dangerous crap to me, perhaps they wanted to buy and burn!

wrinx

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www.ilmostro.co.uk

Loving his bit of duck tape over the top of the outdoor socket , obviously to stop water dripping into the socket as the type he has installed are not designed to have the plug left in them for long periods LoL what a muppet.

Good luck whoever purchased his home made deathtrap, it wont last that long , it has a normal chipboard back to it, will be rotten by next xmas LoL


Buy a proprietary unit and dont bodge something together yourself .


Nick

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If it isnt broke dont bloody touch it until it bloody well is and if it is broke then make drawing of the connections before you remove the broken one and replace with a new one LoL