Socket Wiring

A socket outlet is the familiar item mounted on the wall

into which a plug can be inserted. It is available in single
and double types. A single socket outlet is rated at 13
amps. A double socket outlet is NOT rated at 26A - it 13A
shared between the two outlets.

To connect a new 3-pin dual socket, connect the “Earth”

as Green with Yellow stripe colour wire into the “E” screw
terminal.
Connect the “Neutral” as Blue colour wire into the “N”
screw terminal slot (which indicates Neutral).
Finally, connect the “Live” as Brown colour wire into the
“L” screw terminal (which indicates live or phase).

Radial Circuit
In radial circuit, a single cable (containing live, neutral and
earth wires) starts from the consumer unit or fuse-box and
connects to each socket outlet in turn. Each socket outlet
is supplied with power by the previous one.
All of the socket outlets (except the final one) will have two
cables, one coming in from the previous socket or consumer
unit, and another going out to the next socket. Both brown wires
connect to the Live or L terminal. Both blue wires connect to the
Neutral or N terminal. The earth wires will be bare copper, and
should have some green/yellow stripe sleeving placed over
them. Both earth wires connect to the Earth or E terminal.

Also note that both of the earth terminals are connected

together with a metal strip, and this strip also surrounds the two
fixing holes, so that when fitted to the wall, both of the fixing
screws are earthed.

If the socket outlet is fitted to a metal backbox, this will also be

earthed via the fixing screws. A short length of wire connecting
from the socket earth terminal to the metal backbox. This is only
needed if the backbox has two adjustable fixing lugs - most
have one permanently fixed.

Faults on radial circuits are easy to locate. If there is a break

anywhere along the cable, all of the socket outlets after the
break will no longer work.
Ring Circuit

A ring circuit is similar to radial circuit except that the last socket outlet connects back to the consumer unit.
All of the socket outlets have two cables connected to them, and there is no 'end’. Ring circuit is a useful way
of saving cable, since the cables can be smaller than an equivalent radial, with both cables sharing the load.
Spur Circuit

A spur circuit is a power point or socket that is branched of either a radial or ring circuit. A single cable is
added from the new socket, and connects to an existing socket. Only one socket outlet can be connected to a
spur, connecting a further outlet is NOT permitted, as this could overload the single cable supplying it.
 Lighting Circuits
There are three basic types of switch used for lighting circuits; One way switch, Two way switch and
Intermediate switch

One way switch has two terminals which are marked as C and L1. The terminal C is for the live wire that
supplies the electricity flow into the switch and another terminal L1 is for the output electricity to the light.
The three methods used to wire a one-way lighting system are as describe
Method-1: One way lighting circuit using in-line switching

The cable going to the light switch is connected as follows, Fig. A:

The red wire from the feed cable is connected to the top terminal,
The red wire going to the light is connected to the bottom terminal,
The black wires from both cables are connected together in a plastic terminal block
The earth wires are connected to the earth terminal.

A two way light switch can also be used in in place of a one way light switch,
The red wire from the feed cable is connected to the common (C) terminal
The red wire going to the light is connected to the (L1) terminal. The (L2) terminal is unused.
The black wires from both cables are connected together in a plastic terminal block
The earth wires are connected to the earth terminal.
 Fig. B

Method-2: One way lighting circuit using junction box

The cable going to the light switch is connected as follows, Fig. C:
The red wire going to the light switch is connected to the same terminal as the red wire from the feed
cable,
The black wire (red tape or red sleeving to show it is a live wire) coming back from the light switch is
connected to the spare terminal (terminal not yet used),
The earth wire is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the feed cable.
 Fig. C

The cable going to the ceiling rose is connected as follows, Fig. C.

The red wire going to the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the black wire (marked with
red tape or red sleeving) coming from the light switch,
The black wire going to the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the black wire from the feed
cable
The earth wire is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the feed cable.
Line diagram one way lighting circuit using junction box, Fig. D

Fig. D
Method-3: One way lighting circuit using loop in ceiling rose
This method is normally used. The cable going to the light switch is connected as follows, Fig. E:
The red wire going to the light switch is connected to the same terminal (Loop In) as the red wire from the
feed cable,
The black wire coming back from the switch is connected to the same terminal as the red/brown wire
going to the lamp holder (Live)
The earth wire is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the feed cable.

Fig. E
Line diagram of a one way lighting circuit using loop in ceiling rose, Fig. F

Fig. F
 The two way switch is an extension of the one way switch it has three terminals. In one position, COM and
L1 are connected just as in the one way switch. In the other position, COM and L2 are connected. This type
of switch is used where two switches control one light, such as at the top and bottom of a stairway. It can
also be used as a one way switch, by using the COM and L1 terminals only

Wiring a Two Way Switch

Two way switch allows for the control the same light from using two switches that located in different
locations. The two two-way switches are wire in such a way that when L1 is off L2 would be on in one which
and when L1 is on L2 would be off in the other switch.
The two methods used to wire a two-way lighting system using two switches to control a single light are as
describe
Method-2: Two way light switch using 2 core cable

The cable going to the first light switch is connected as follows, Fig. A:
The red wire going to the switch is connected to the same terminal as the red wire from the feed cable,
The black wire is unused,
The earth wire is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the feed cable.

Fig. A

The cable coming from the ceiling rose is connected as follows, Fig. A:
The red wire coming from the ceiling rose is unused,
The black wire coming from the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the black wire from the
feed cable,
The earth wire coming from the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the
feed cable.
 The feed cable going to the first light switch is connected as follows, Fig. B:
The red wire is connected to the (L1) terminal,
The black wire is unused and should be connected in a plastic terminal block
The earth wire is connected to the earth terminal.

The cable going out to the second light switch is connected as follows, Fig. B:
The red wire is connected to the (L1) terminal,
The black wire (marked with red tape or red sleeving to show that it is live wire) is connected to the (L2)
terminal
Line diagram for the two way lighting circuit using two core & earth cable and junction boxes is as
shown, Fig. C.

Fig. C
 Method -2: Two way lighting circuit using three core & earth cable

The cable going to the first light switch is connected as follows, Fig. A:
✔ The red wire going to the switch is connected to the same terminal as the red wire from the feed
cable,
✔ The black wire from the switch is connected to the spare terminal (terminal not yet used in method-1),
and marked with red tape or red sleeving to show it is a live wire.
✔ The earth wire is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the feed cable.

The cable going to the ceiling rose is connected as follows, Fig A:

✔ The red wire going to the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the black wire (marked with
red tape or red sleeving to show it is a live wire) coming from the light switch,
✔ The black wire going to the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the black wire from the
feed cable
✔ The earth wire going to the ceiling rose is connected to the same terminal as the earth wire from the
feed cable.

The feed cable going to the first switch is connected as follows, Fig B:
✔ The red wire is connected to the (L1) terminal,
✔ The black wire (marked with red tape or red sleeving to show it is a live wire) is connected to the (L2)
terminal
✔ The earth wire is connected to the earth terminal.
 Fig. A Fig. B

The cable going out to the second light switch has wires, and is connected as follows, Fig. B.
✔ The red wire is connected to the common (C) terminal,
✔ The yellow wire is connected to the (L1) terminal along with the red wire from the feed cable,
✔ The blue wire is connected to the (L2) terminal along with the black wire (marked with red tape or red
sleeving) from the feed cable
✔ The earth wire is connected to the earth terminal.
The cable coming from the first light switch is connected as follows, Fig. C:
✔ The red wire is connected to the common (C) terminal,
✔ The yellow wire is connected to the (L1) terminal,
✔ The blue wire is connected to the (L2) terminal
✔ The earth wire is connected to the earth terminal.

Line diagram for the two way lighting circuit using three core & earth cable and junction boxes is as
shown, Fig. D.

Fig. D
Wiring of a three-way switching circuit

The circuit consists of a two-way switch at each end (top and bottom switches) and an intermediate
switch in the middle, Fig. A. All three switches are connected together by a three core and earth control
cable. The wire connected to the COM terminals is looped straight through the intermediate switch using
a cable connector.

The top switch wiring is unchanged - two cores from the ceiling rose, and one end of the three core
cable.
The middle switch has four terminals,
❖ Two of the wires are cut and connected to the switch.
❖ The third wire (connecting the COM terminals of the other two switches) is linked in a separate
terminal.
The bottom switch wiring is unchanged - the three wires connect to the three switch terminals as with
the two way arrangement.

This arrangement can be extended to four, five or even more switches. All of the additional switches
must be intermediate types, and are connected in exactly the same way as the middle switch as was
shown. The light can be turned on and off from any of the switches.