Plug Socket Installation Athlone | New Power Points

About Plug & Socket Installation in Athlone

Plug sockets (power points) are the interface between your fixed electrical installation and your portable appliances. In South Africa, we use the SANS 164-2 three-pin plug and socket standard (the round three-pin type). Proper socket installation requires correct wiring with live, neutral, and earth conductors, appropriate circuit protection at the DB board, and mounting at the correct height and position per SANS 10142-1.

New socket installation in Athlone homes is commonly needed when rooms do not have enough power points for modern living (older homes were designed when households had far fewer electrical devices), when home offices require dedicated power points away from household circuits, when kitchens are renovated and need sockets above new countertop layouts, and when garages or workshops need power for tools and equipment.

We install single, double, and quad power points in any location. Each socket is wired with the correct cable size for its circuit rating (2.5mm cable for 16A socket circuits is standard), properly earthed, and connected to a circuit protected by both an MCB and earth leakage device at the DB board. We mount sockets at the standard 300mm from floor level (or 150mm above countertops in kitchens), and we chase cables neatly into walls or use surface-mounted trunking where chasing is not practical. All installations include testing and a CoC.

This is one of several specialist services we offer under power points & wiring in Athlone. As part of our Athlone electrical team, we bring over 25 years of hands-on experience to every job.

Plug & Socket Installation in Athlone - Abacas Solution

When to Call for Plug & Socket Installation

Call when you need more power points in any room, when sockets are worn and plugs feel loose, when you are renovating and need sockets in new positions, when you need sockets for a home office or workshop, or when you want to eliminate extension lead daisy-chains.

Our Plug & Socket Installation Process

1

Position Planning

We discuss where you need new power points and how many. We consider the room layout, furniture placement, and what appliances will be used. We also check the existing circuit capacity.

2

Cable Route & Quote

We plan the cable route from the existing circuit or DB board to the new socket positions. Routes through roof spaces or wall cavities are preferred over surface mounting. You receive a clear quote.

3

Installation

Cables are run through the planned route, walls are chased where needed, back boxes are fitted, and sockets are wired with correct polarity and earth connections. Plasterwork is made good.

4

Testing & Commissioning

Each new socket is tested for correct polarity, earth continuity, insulation resistance, and earth loop impedance. The circuit breaker and earth leakage protection are verified. A CoC is issued.

Property owners in Athlone often combine plug & socket installation with additional power points in Athlone and rewiring. We handle everything, so you only need one call.

Safety & Compliance

Socket outlets must be installed by a registered electrician per SANS 10142-1. Sockets must be correctly wired with live, neutral, and earth conductors in the correct terminals. Polarity must be correct - reversing live and neutral is dangerous as it means the switch on an appliance disconnects the neutral instead of the live. All socket circuits must be protected by earth leakage (RCD/RCBO) and an appropriately rated MCB. Sockets must not be installed in bathroom Zone 1 (within 600mm of a bath or shower).

Plug & Socket Installation Cost in Athlone

A single new socket installation on an existing circuit costs R400-R1,000 depending on cable route length and wall type. A double socket costs R450-R1,100. Adding sockets that require a new circuit from the DB board adds R800-R2,000 for the circuit installation. Surface-mounted installations using trunking are less expensive than chased-in installations. Kitchen socket installations above countertops typically cost R500-R1,200 per point due to tiling considerations. Multiple sockets on the same visit are discounted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to add a new plug socket in Athlone?

A new socket on an existing nearby circuit costs R400-R1,000 depending on the cable run. If a new circuit is needed from the DB board, the total is R1,500-R3,000. We provide an exact quote after assessing the location and cable route.

Can you install plug sockets in my bathroom in Athlone?

Sockets can be installed in bathrooms but must comply with zone regulations. They must be at least 3m from the bath or shower (Zone 3 or outside zones). Shaver sockets with isolating transformers can be installed closer. We ensure full compliance.

Why do my plugs feel loose in the sockets?

Loose plug connections indicate worn socket contacts that no longer grip the pins firmly. This creates resistance, generates heat, and is a fire risk. The socket should be replaced. We install quality sockets with spring-loaded contacts for firm grip.

Can I run an extension lead instead of installing a new socket?

Extension leads are meant for temporary use, not as permanent wiring. Permanently running extension leads is against SANS 10142-1 as they create trip hazards, can overload circuits, and the connections are not as reliable as a properly installed socket. A new socket is safer and neater.