How to wire a plug socket

Want to learn more? Read on to discover how to wire a plug socket to the mains, how to wire a socket from another socket and so much more.

We also have a detailed guide on how to wire a plug specifically rather than the socket.

Important legalities

Never begin a project working with electrics without first ensuring your safety. There are a few legalities to bear in mind when learning how to wire a socket. So, read the below warning before starting your project:

• You have a legal duty of care to anyone visiting your home. In fact, you can be prosecuted if a visitor is electrocuted when using an electrical item you have worked on. Part P of the Building Regulations states that any electrical installations must be carried out by a competent person.
• A competent person is someone qualified to undertake electrical installations and approved by the government Part P scheme. Whilst you don’t need to be certified in order to change the accessories or fittings, you will need to call a qualified electrician if you want to install or replace sockets.

The following areas are non-notifiable works that can be done. NOTE: You must check with the building control dept of your local authority prior to any works being carried out. Regulations are regularly changed and updated.

• Works carried out outside of a ‘special location’. This means any work in the following rooms is non-notifiable: Kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, porches, hallways, gardens, loft spaces and dining rooms.
• Like for like work. E.g. changing the accessories or fittings to an existing socket/plug.
• Replacing damaged cables.
• Installing additional sockets and a single fused spur to an existing circuit.

We hope this will assist you if you are confused about whether to carry on with your project, but if you are still unsure, please click here for more information or search for a specialist:

How to wire a socket

Safety considerations for any electrical socket work

Before beginning, please make sure you read through the below warnings to keep yourself and your family safe.

Firstly, all electrical works must comply with IEE Wiring Regulations 18th Edition. The Regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, also additions and alterations to existing installations.

Next, before working on any live electricals, always:

1. Switch the electricity off at the mains/fuse box.
2. Isolate the circuit you plan to work on by removing the circuit fuse, being careful not to lose it or, switch off the breaker and lock it. Put a note on the unit, telling others you are working on it.
3. Check that the circuit is off/dead, using a socket tester/voltage tester.

Tools and materials

Want to know how to wire a plug socket? Begin by taking the time to gather the below tools and materials for easy access during your project.

You will need:

• Screwdrivers
• Socket tester/voltage tester/continuity tester
• 2.5mm two-core-and-earth cable
• Wire strippers
• Side cutters
• 2 x rubber grommets
• Green/yellow sleeving

How to wire a socket – a step by step guide to replacing an existing socket

Once you have collected the necessary tools and materials, plus read our safety warning, you are ready to learn how to wire a plug socket. To do so, follow the below steps:

1. You will need to ensure that the cable connections wire up to the new plug socket in the same way as the old one. The colours of your wires will be: Brown (red if old wiring): indicated by ‘L’ (Live) on your socket. Blue (black if old wiring): indicated by ‘N’ (Neutral) on your socket.Yellow & Green striped: indicated by ‘E’ (Earth) or three vertical lines on your socket.
2. Another important step before getting started, and prior to turning off the electrics at the mains, is to use a voltage/socket tester on the old socket to ensure that the voltage/socket tester is working.
3. Begin by using a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the socket faceplate in place. Gently pull the faceplate until the wires are revealed, enabling access to the inside of the socket.
4. Now make a note of the wiring inside the existing socket. Take a photo with your mobile phone to ensure that when the new socket is fitted, it is wired in the same way.
5. Using your screwdriver, loosen the terminal screws, carefully freeing the wires. Put the old socket to one side.
6. Please note, if there is any sign of damage on the wiring, use side cutters and electrical wire strippers to trim the damaged wire, leaving 5mm of wire clear.
7. Next, using the green/yellow sleeving, cover any bare earth wires.
8. Always pay close attention to the order and positioning of the Live (L), Neutral (N) and Earth (E) terminals on the new socket as they may differ from the old socket. Also, check the terminal labels on the new socket carefully.
9. Make sure that all the terminal screws are open on the new socket, then attach the wires to the correct terminals, ensuring no bare wires are visible. For example, Brown wire to the L (live) terminal (red if older wiring). Blue wire to N (neutral) terminal, (black if older wiring). Green & yellow to the E (earth) terminal.
10. You can then re-tighten all the terminal screws, ensuring that all the wires are correctly fitted and securely held in place. Make sure you don’t overtighten at this stage.
11. Now, gently manoeuvre the socket faceplate back into place, being careful to not to trap any wiring.
12. Then, reattach the faceplate securely with the screws, being careful not to overtighten.
13. Replace the fuse on the mains/fuse box and turn on the power.
14. Finally, insert the socket tester to ensure that the new socket is working properly.

How to wire a socket from another socket

As we previously discussed, sockets are essential to our daily lives. That is why we often find ourselves with too many electrical items and not enough sockets.

Before commencing, please note that building regulations state that you are only allowed one spur from an existing socket, so check that the socket you are planning to spur off is suitable prior to starting work.

The following instructions will teach you how to wire a socket from another socket in 7 clear steps:

1. Install your new socket and run a length of 2.5mm two-core-and-earth cable from the new socket to the existing socket you are wanting to spur off.
2. Make sure you isolate the circuit you plan to work on by removing the circuit fuse, being careful not to lose it or, switch off the breaker and lock it. Put a note on the unit, telling others you are working on it. Remember that before starting, you will need to check that the circuit is off/dead, using a socket tester/voltage tester.
3. Next, unscrew the faceplate on the new socket and remove it. Feed the cable into the mounting box through the rubber grommet and connect its cores to the faceplate terminals.
4. You can then add green/yellow sleeving to the bare earth core of the new cable, and make sure the terminal screws are tight, but not overtightened. Also, always check that the cables are secure, with no bare wire showing.
5. Now, cut the cable and repeat the process at the existing socket.
6. For metal faceplates, cut a short length of earth core from 1.5mm cable and run it between the earth terminals of the faceplate and the mounting box.
7. To finish, re-attach the faceplates, turn the power back on at the mains and using the socket tester, ensure that the sockets are working correctly.

How to wire a plug socket to the mains

Most homes will have a number of plug sockets readily available to power any electrical devices you choose to use. Despite this, your sockets may be in an inconvenient place, or you may simply need more. This is particularly true for tech lovers and families with children.

Here’s how to wire a plug socket to the mains:

1. Begin by installing the spur socket and running a length of 2.5 mm² two-core-and-earth cable back to the point where it will be connected to the main circuit cable. Please note, the junction box should have the same amperage as the circuit.
2. Make sure to turn the power off at the mains and remove the circuit fuse. Use a socket tester to ensure there is NO power to the plug socket.
3. You can now remove the faceplate on the new socket and feed the cable into the mounting box through the rubber grommet. Then connect it to the faceplate terminals.
4. Attach green and yellow sleeving to the bare earth core on the new cable and tighten the terminal screws.
5. For metal faceplates, cut a short length of earth core from 1.5mm cable and run it between the earth terminals of the faceplate and the mounting box.
6. Next, screw the base of the junction box to the side of an adjacent joist, or to a batten nailed between joists. It will then be within reach of the cut ends of the main cable.
7. Cut the cable, stripping back the outer casing, ensuring it extends 5mm into the junction box. Expose the ends of the cores and connect them to the terminals of the junction box.
8. Then connect the cores of the spur cable to the matching terminal – live to live, neutral to neutral, and earth to earth. Remember to add green/yellow sleeving to the bare earth cores.
9. Now you can tighten the terminal screws, then replace the cover of the box and turn on the power.
10. Finally, test the socket is wired correctly using a socket tester.

How to wire a double socket from a single

It is very common for homes to have single plug sockets instead of double. Unfortunately, this limits the number of electrical items you can plug in. A great solution to this is to change the single socket into a double.

Firstly, you will need the following materials and tools:

• Screwdriver
• Socket tester
• Pipe and cable detector
• Hammer action drill with masonry bits
• Wire strippers
• New double socket
• Wall plugs and screws
• Green/yellow sleeving if required

1. Start by isolating the circuit and use a socket tester to check that the power is definitely off.
2. Unscrew the faceplate and disconnect the cables from the terminals of the single socket mounting box.
3. Next, run green/yellow sleeving over the earth core if you find it bare.
4. Remove the knockout in the new surface mounting box and pass the cables through it. Using a pencil, mark the fixing holes on the wall.
5. You can then take the box away, checking for hidden pipes or cables using the pipe and cable detector.
6. Then, drill and plug the wall behind it.
7. Screw the new box in place.
8. Ensure you pay close attention to the order and positioning of the live (L), neutral (N) and earth (E) terminals on the new socket. Always check the terminal labels on the new socket carefully.
9. Make sure that all the terminal screws are open on the new socket, then attach the wires to the correct terminals ensuring no bare wires are visible. For example: Brown wire to the L (live) terminal, (red if older wiring). Blue wire to N (neutral) terminal, (black if older wiring). Green & yellow to the E (earth) terminal.
10. Next, re-tighten all the terminal screws, ensuring that all wires are correctly fitted and securely held in place. Do not overtighten.
11. Gently manoeuvre the socket faceplate back into place, being careful to not to trap any wiring.
12.  To finish, fit the new faceplate. Use the socket tester to check it’s correctly wired.

Out of your depth?

Remember, doing any electrical work is very dangerous if you are unsure of what you are doing. If you do get confused or stuck, don’t feel ashamed. Learning how to wire a plug socket is a challenging project, and DIY beginners may find it too difficult.

Reached the point where you are unsure how to proceed? Please do not hesitate to call an electrician.

If you are ready to speak to a professional, our free search feature will help to connect you with trusted local electricians who will be happy to assist you. Want to know more? Check out our electrician hourly rate guide for prices, considerations and guidance.

But how much will it cost?

Whether you choose to hire a professional or do the work yourself, there will be a number of costs involved. Our adding a plug socket cost guide has a detailed overview of the costs for a typical job with costs for single, double and outdoor sockets.

The below list covers the most common of these:

• Electrician: £45 per hour
• Electrical tools: £15-£35
• 5mm twin & earth cable 10 meter: £9-£15
• Double Socket faceplate (standard): £2-£4
• Double Socket faceplate (metal finish): £8-£16
• Double Installation boxes: £1-£6
• Single Socket faceplate (standard): £1-£3
• Single Socket faceplate (metal finish): £4-£13
• Single installation boxes: £0.50-£2