Adding Outdoor Sockets

As the weather begins to warm up many of us are looking forward to spending more time in our outdoor spaces. Adding outdoor sockets to your garden can help you to make full use of the space. Whether you want to add outdoor sockets to make it easier to mow the lawn or, to keep your guests warm and entertained with music and patio heaters on summer evenings, Quality Electrician can help. Based in Birkenshaw and serving the wider Bradford area, we are your local, qualified and experienced electrician.  

Making sure your outdoor sockets are safe

It is important that you use a registered electrician to add outdoor sockets to your garden in Bradford. Part P of the Building Regulations state that only competent, registered electricians may carry out outdoor electrical installation work. This is also the case with socket installations in garden buildings such as sheds, garages and workshops. This is due to the specific, harsh conditions outdoor sockets must endure. As registered electricians, we at Quality Electrician understand the demands placed upon an outdoor electrical installation. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, and any outdoor or garden electrics must be capable of keeping water out. IP (Ingress Protection) rated waterproof sockets designed specifically to withstand the wet conditions outside must be selected. These should also be used in greenhouses and sheds, as garden buildings are prone to damp. We fit hardwearing Hager outdoor sockets as standard as they feature a 180-degree opener which is easy to access.  

Outdoor sockets must be connected to an RCD for your safety. An RCD (residual current device) is a lifesaving device. It will swiftly cut off the power in the event of an electrical fault or earth leakage, often caused by a lawnmower catching the wire. The latest IEE Wiring Regulations state that a new socket must be wired into an RCD-protected circuit, this applies both inside and outside the home. A reputable, registered electrician will be able to advise you if your home already has RCD protection or if this will need to be added.  

If your garden already has outdoor sockets installed but you are not certain they have been fitted safely, Quality Electrician will be happy to help. We can inspect your garden electrics and make sure they are safe to use. We are often called in to replace outdoor sockets that have been poorly installed by someone with little knowledge of either electrical safety or the regulations. They can be extremely dangerous to use, leaving you at risk of electrical shock. At Quality Electrician we believe it is better to be safe and to call in a professional if you have any concerns.

Using Outdoor Sockets Safely

To help keep you safe in your Bradford area garden here are our top tips for using your outdoor sockets safely:

• Never use electrical equipment outside in wet weather.
• Check your cables and flexes regularly for frays and kinks. If they show signs of wear, they need to go.
• Make sure your plugs are firmly wired and undamaged. Loose wiring could give you a shock.
• Unwind extension leads before using them.
• Don’t attempt to clean or service any electrical equipment until it is unplugged.

If you would like new outdoor sockets installed at your Bradford area home, Quality Electrician are here to help. We are your local, fully qualified and NICEIC registered electrician. Call us today and get your garden ready for summer.