Posted by
Location: Manchester City Centre, Manchester, Lancs
Date: Apr 2009
Description: The owners of this flat were getting tired of stringing a battery charger through the open back door in order to charge their mobility scooter. The solution was to add an outside weather proof socket in the private parking area to allow for easy access and security of the property. The property is a new build and although only a couple of years old did not have any RCD protection built into the property.
Our solution was to extend the main house ring by way of a spur for use outside. We used an outside weather proof double socket with built in RCD protection to ensure safety and to comply with current building regulations. The socket was set higher up on the wall than normal to allow the person who uses it to not have to bend down too low.
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Please may I ask your advice about the information in this blog?
1. Is it possible to lock this outdoor weather proof socket in some way?
I am about to move to a sheltered retirement flat; the off street parking area does not have a Charging Point for scooters and the management seem reluctant to install one. My flat is on 4th floor so hanging my charger out of the window is not practical.
I found your blog and propose to ask the manager to agree I do the same, BUT before I do I need to know I could lock the socket to prevent other residents charging off my electricity meter. How best to lock?
2. I realise, obviously, that your firm is based in Oldham; do you by any
chance have a subsidiary on the south east coast, in or near Hastings?
3. I expect the answer is – no ; so how best do I, an ordinary lay person, find an electrician who is a genuinely competent professional? Is there a reliable qualification I should look for?
I was horrified, reading the rest of your blog, at the incompetent and downright dangerous things found.
Thank you for your attention. I enclose a sae.
Yours faithfully,
(name removed)