Outdoor Socket Regulations
Outdoor Socket Regulations
One of the most popular upgrades people are adding to the electrical installations in their homes are outdoor sockets.
Whether it’s for a stereo or even a lazy-spa during the summer, it could equally be powering Christmas lights in the winter.
A growing number of people are charging their EVs using a “granny cable” supplied with the vehicle and plugged into an outdoor socket. This can be a recipe for disaster – outdoor sockets are not normally rated for high current draws for what are hours at a time.
I Thought Every 13A Socket Was The Same?
Inside a domestic house, yes, there is very little to differentiate one socket from another. Realistically, there isn’t much in the home which will pull over 10A, and even less stuff that will pull that current constantly.
Imagine a relatively how power domestic item: A Kettle? Might pull 13A for 5 minutes then cut off. Powerful vacuum, again would be lucky to pull 13A and for what, 20 minutes at a time. The seriously slow charge rates on 13A ‘granny chargers’ mean that they can be pulling 10A-12A constantly all night.
Now obviously this is something that manufacturers have had to contend with, as ultimately you expect when the car comes with a 13A charge point you can at least use it? Sockets are available like this one which are EV compliant
What If I’m Not Charging An EV?
If you have no need to use your outdoor socket to charge an EV through a ‘granny charger’ then you can use any high quality IP54 & above socket for outside use. British General do a particularly rugged outdoor socket which can be bought for less than £10!
Regulation 511.3.2.2: This relates to the protection against ingress of water and foreign objects. It specifies that outdoor sockets need to have an appropriate degree of protection, usually IP44 or higher, to ensure they are sufficiently weatherproof, but I would recommend spending the extra and going one better. (IP45 or better)
Let’s be realistic, the UK weather can be pretty challenging at times!
What Does Every Outdoor Socket Need?
Whether you are charging an EV, or you are fitting a timed socket so you can control some decorative lights, there are a number of outdoor socket regulations which you need to be aware of
- All sockets (less than 63A) supplying outdoor equipment must have an RCD fitted for additional protection. 63A sockets would usually be provided as a way of powering a fixed item (machinery for example). Regulation 421.1.201 applies here.
- Since Amendment 2 in 2022 (the latest updates which affected the outdoor socket regulations), this RCD must be of a type that can handle 6mA DC fault current. These RCDs are called Type A and apart from certain fixed items, all socket outlets must be protected by this
- As previously mentioned, the socket needs to be a minimum of IP44, although I would caution good electrical engineering judgement to suggest IP45, simply as the Great British weather can easily be described as ‘water sprays’. Quite simply, the better the protection level of the socket, the better the longevity and also the potential for leaks/faults is lower.
- The cable supplying the outdoor socket must be capable of carrying the current to be used by the socket. The ‘rule of thumb’ would be 2.5mm T&E for sockets although outdoor installations should often be completed in other types of cable which can have different current carrying characteristics.
- The cable, and the route which it takes to the outside socket must be carefully planned to ensure that the cable can be clipped securely where it should not be at risk from mechanical damage. If you are burying steel wire armoured cable, always ensure it is at the correct depth. See our SWA Cable guide here.
- Regulation 522.6.202 states that cables installed outdoors must be suitably rated for outdoor use, meaning they should be resistant to UV light, water, and other environmental factors. Twin & earth is not suitable for use clipped to outdoor walls as the outer sheath is no UV stable.
Outdoor Socket Regulations
Like most things, it’s not as simple as just putting a socket wherever, the outdoor socket regulations mean that you need to give the job a little bit more thought.
An outdoor socket which is only to be used to power things like outdoor lights, a jet wash or a lawnmower can sometimes be spurred from the back of an existing socket in the house, minimising damage and disruption.
If the socket is to be used for regular heavy loads, such as a lazy-spa or charging an EV then it should ideally be ran as it’s own circuit back from the consumer unit.
Running a new circuit like this requires a few calculations and then notifying to the building control under Part P, hence is really best left to a registered electrician who can complete the whole process.
Additional Resources
If you are looking to learn more about Outdoor Socket Regulations then check the following links:
