How to Install the Easiest Outdoor Socket 

As an registered electrician with 20 years experience - nice job 👍 I would have charged £150 parts and labor plus certificate for that. ( in august 2021 ) To water proof further I would have run silicon around the whole socket where it is in contact with the wall except the bottom side.

I lost my dad when I was 13, he was always DIY proficient and could fix anything, watching your videos helps me learn cope and learn the skills he always tried to teach me. If you see this I want to say Thank You, for helping fill a void and for being a positive role model.

I haven't finished watching yet, but drilling from both sides and managing to meet needs a compliment no matter what else happens.

Drilling from both sides, to stop the outer facet of the brick from splitting, is the sign of a considerate and competent person.

An underrated part of your videos is good production. I don't mean fancy edits and effects but clear audio and camerawork. Contents is excellent and succinct as usual. Thank you.

You not only produce fantastic DIY advice and techniques but your videos are a work of precision too, from filming to your detailed advice and instruction......love the channel.

Nice one. I used a similar method to have a plug socket 40ft away from my house on my deck, but using armoured cable and an RCD plug to give a bit of extra safety just in case, given the exposed nature of the armoured cable running along my garden fence. 20yrs on and it's still a functioning extension socket.

Exactly what I needed for a spot if DYI in the new house. Love this video, simple, clear instructions and advice. Love this guy 👏🏾

I have two of these boxes to fit. Thanks for the clear instructions. I had a friend drill through the cavity wall for me took a couple of minutes for both boxes. If he hadn't done it I would have bought the drill bit. It would have save alot of stress and time trying to line them up. So many excellent tips. Cheers 👍🏼

Thank you so much for simply sharing all the vital information with no waffle and no speed talking. 👍👍👍

Thank you Stuart for taking the time to make the video that has now given me the confidence to install a outdoor socket and saved me paying an Electrition to do it for me, made my day.

Hats off to you for producing a video that is easy to understand and follow. Your instructions are clear and concise and I particularly like the fact that you explain why you are doing something a certain way. subscribed. You have given me the confidence boost to actually do the work myself PS Why hadn't I ever thought about using my hammer to space out clips ? I certainly will from now on. I am off to buy my outdoor switch - wish me luck.

Little tip I do with any plug is make the live wire shorter than the neutral and the earth longest, that way if the cable ever gets pulled the live wire is the first to get ripped out

Clear, concise and to the point, another great video. It couldn’t have come at a better time, just about to replace a single outside socket that’s become loose. Thank you 👍

I've just watched this prior to installing exactly what is demonstrated, and I thank you for the wonderfully easy-to-follow, no nonsense instruction. That was well worth watching. 👍🏻

Great comment about using the hammer to keep the clips equal distance! It's the little things that most people won't notice (like the equal spacing of the clips, like the silicone in the conduit) that makes all the difference to the end result. Only just found the channel so working through the videos, love what I've seen so far! Keep it up!!

Glad to have found a proper UK DIY channel. Keep up the good work.

Another great video explaining how you've successfully fitted an external socket to a high standard, keeping to regulations, etc. This certainly is interesting for many including myself as it means that you don't have to touch the consumer unit in any way.

Wow. I was going to get an electrician in to fit one to the house electrics. Done your way, it's something even I could do. Thank you.

I've been thinking of getting a sparky in for this as I didn't fancy messing about with electrics but your way is really easy for a competent DIY person such as myself. Thanks for such a great informative video :)

Another great clear concise video! I've recenty taken to crimping ferrules into the end of copper flex after exposing the copper. Looks neat and stops them getting messy if you need to readjust things 👍

Great video again; I did similar when I fitted a sump pump in my drive, easiest way to do it and be able to isolate it quickly and effectively. When I had my old dis board updated to a new consumer unit I asked the sparky to fit a double switched socket underneath for just this sort of thing. Never thought of a Timer or Smart attachment though! Good thinking!

Great Idea, I can see it working for Security lights and wireless CCTV camera's as well. When I had my garage rebuilt I had the Electrician put in a couple of double sockets on the gable ends of the loft storage space. They've proved to be useful for powering up my CCTV system & cameras which is mounted there out of the way...

Good to see ‘proper DIY’ being shown. 👍

Great content. I needed an outdoor socket for my daughters rechargeable sit on car and my hot tub. I followed this process and it solved the problem I had. Great advice and I'm chuffed with my new outdoor socket. I also like the fact that I can isolate the power to the garden from the house. Took me a couple of hours to get everything done but works really well. Thank you 🙂

I've just bought one of these sockets and was going to hard wire it into the ring, but having watched this it's now going on a plug - far easier and just plain BRILLIANT

Perfect. Need one of these in my garden and the video makes it look very straight forward 👍

Great video and love the idea of a plug inside the house. One tip when drilling holes in external walls, I always drill at a slight gradient keeping the drill slightly lower than the drill bit point. This way, if any water does ever get to the hole and the silicone has failed, the water would run down to the outside and not inside. I would also run a bead of silicone along the top of the external plug unit to be absolutely sure.

I do a fair bit of DIY around the house, and I have been agonising on how to wire a socket like this, for ages. I am not a competent electrician, and so I was delaying the installation as I didn’t want to pay an electrician a lot of money! Having come across your video, just by chance, and watching it, has given me a lot of confidence. Your way of describing everything in detail, yet without jargon or confusing words is commendable to the highest. Thank you very much. Now, I’m off to B&Q!

Thank you for that. That's exactly what I want to do with it external socket I bought. Was wondering about the drain plug instruction as well. You've answered all my questions!

Installed my unit today using the recommended RCD socket. Very pleased with the result. Thank you.

Good advice - well put across. These skills and tips clearly apply to many DIY situations. Thanks

You could also do a slight angle for the external hole, so that any water natural drains Down and out

Superb, I am on my own and wanted an outdoor socket for the lawnmower. I have put my socket under the porch area so it is protected from rain etc. but have followed the video and done mine to a plug as well. Wasn't sure that was correct but your video confirmed it was all ok. I did however use electric cable that was suitable for outdoor use. although a bit more difficult to work with. Many thanks.

Good shout on doubling the bare wires, goes in the connections perfectly 👍🏽👍🏽

I’m an electrician myself and I like this idea and a very neat installation. Couple of tips When using stranded flex cable I always use ferrule crimps to prevent damaging the stranded cores when terminating. Also make sure the socket you plug into is RCD protected inside the house 👍.

Great video, you present them really well. Any chance of making a video on fitting wall plugs and what size to use, and drill size needed for each plug? I'd find that useful, thanks.

Another brilliant video, I like the idea of flex to socket much easier than having to go back to consumer unit and installing cable and connecting a spur! Very simple effective installation which can be disconnected very easily, truly proper DIY!

Thank you for these amazing videos. You have given me the confidence to carry out DIY.

Hi Stuart, thoroughly enjoying all of your videos, great content and production. As a former electrician and electrical installation lecturer I agree that this is an excellent option for an experienced DIYer. This method removes the need to safely isolate, test and certify wiring attached to the existing circuit. As you mentioned this is an RCD protected extension lead so a great option for outdoor power. I used to teach the folding over method and the reason is that most terminals on electrical accessories are designed for two cables, so folding a single cable helps to fill the terminal and provide a more secure connection. Keep up the good work!

Just done two of these today and I’m pretty useless at most stuff, but they turned out fantastically. Thanks for this video. I had to get myself 40cm drill bits, but for £8 (for 8, 10, 12mm) it’s a no brainer). 👍

What a nice job! Just completed a similar job, using these instructions, and I have to say - it went about as good as I could have wished for. Kudos to Proper DIY for an outstanding, easy to understand, and thorough approach to the project. Let's start out with the elephant in the room: Getting an electrician in, tapping into a ring circuit, doing all the tests, and issuing a certificate of compliance is going to cost several hundred pounds. As it should, given the cost of testing equipment, skills of the electrician, etc. This approach sidesteps most of the costs, while maintaining the safety inherent in the UK electrical code.

Well, after looking at so many videos on this subject, I decided that your 13amp plug solution was the one to go for. I think it was the only one with that idea!!. I followed your instructions and found it all worked out well, with one modification, I put the cable in some trunking. Ohh what a game that was!!! But I liked the look as it was in the Living Room. The conduit through the wall was an interesting time, getting to stay in place when sealing it. It kept on moving. Recommend, longer is better than shorter!. Thanks so much for giving me the confidence to do this job

Jeepers where have you been all my life mate???? That is fantastic thanks and I look forward to binging on your videos...

It thought you would wire that into the ring but then I saw you wanted to add a timer or WiFi remote and that made perfect sense. Nice tidy job

Thank you for this, given me an idea to get an extra socket outside my house from outbuilding. Thank u

You couldn’t have demonstrated the task any easier and very well explained.Thank you and look forward for your next video 👍

Popcorn at the ready. Keyboard electricians.. get set... GO !!!

“If you don’t trust your neighbours “ 😂

Thanks, saved me a load of time doing it this way , makes more sense and less hassle. Cheers 👍

This is a great video, very clear and easy to follow. I installed an external socket this afternoon using these instructions. It was straightforward. Thank you

Very impressed and I totally agree its the safest DIY method and also with the added bonuses you mentioned . One tip if using a set of pliers to strip back the insulation on the cables, is to do exactly what you did with the knife and score round first (basically griping the cable in the cutting edge and turning the pliers clockwise and back a couple of times ; this prevents both you gripping too tight and cutting it off completely and also helps prevent pulling the odd strand off too .. (apologies if this is mentioned below - 884 comments at the time of writing) 30+ years ago when doing my apprenticeship, we were always told to use strippers (cable ones!!!!) but, after a bit of practice you know just how tight to grip and it saves a bit of time as you can strip, cut and bend all in one go (so to speak! 🤔)

You need wire ferrules on the multi-strand, effectively makes it a solid conductor. It's twin and earth you bend over (solid conductors).

Hi, I just installed an outside socket following your guidance...always terrified to touch electrics up to now.....can't get over it -delighted with result. Many thanks for inspiration

Lovely job, I'm going to do this on my conservatory outside wall

This couldn't have arrived in my feed at a better time, trying to find an electrician to put in an extra plug into our new to us home is a nightmare, having this idea means I can do it myself and save a couple of hundred dollars and still be safe! Many thanks and hi from New Zealand.

Thanks!! Great to hear some down to earth advice without all the clap-trap we hear from some presenters. P.DIY is always my first port of call when I embark on a project. I always learn something.

Brilliant - I can now install an outside socket without all the hassle of running in spurs which I was led to believe was the way to do it - many thanks.

I think I might do this myself. I've had enough of dragging an extension lead and hose on a reel from the exterior socket and tap in the back garden whenever we wash the car. The only sensible option for power is the sockets under the front room window. That'll work. No trailing cables and no trailing hose as I've fixed it to the side of the house and all we need is a short length to attach when washing.😊 Follow up: installed as I said I would but also added an alexa based wifi plug to operate it. Added a LED driveway light on the first floor powered in the same way. Both voice activated, bloody clever stuff! I've even turned the light on from a different country!😂

I was going to spur off from one of the sockets. Now I’ve seen this, I’ll now do it your way 👍🏻

Really excellent content, thorough and to the point. Everything you do is done well and thought out, which means the job can’t fail. I can’t tell you how much difference it makes to see someone doing this. You are passing on great skills. Thank you.

What a great video I’ve just installed an outside socket a couple of weeks ago But having the option to plug into a timer on an inside socket make perfect sense Well done

Thank you so much. Just fitted an outside double socket. Followed your video to the letter. Never been that technical but the video gave me the inspiration and confidence to do what actually was really simple. Cheers

You just compromised your IP66 by drilling 15mm hole, the if the socket has a 20mm knockout then 20mm conduit with bush coupler through wall, you can buy long drill bits as cheap as £12 just got to shop around

Hahaha i love the encouraging "go on, comment, but im not drilling the drain hole"

Excellent idea and very well presented video. I have recently moved into a new build house and was putting a package of electrical jobs together to get an electrician in but can probably do a few of these myself now. Thanks for the tip!

This is a great help and good advice. I'd have never have thought of neighbours robbing my electricity when I was away. It looked a very clean job. No mess.

i always remember the live wire is brown as that’s the colour your pants go if you touch it!

Lost your IP rating when you didn’t use appropriate gland. Would drill drainage hole when using rear entry.

Brilliant, I've been wanting to fit an external socket, but wasn't too sure about hardwiring. I'll be sure to do this. Thanks.

Great video installing on outside garage, lots of great tips, Thank You.

Wouldn't a cable gland have been easier than all that silicone?

As a self employed spark with a family to feed, this kind of vid will never sit right with me. Not a bad job you did to be fair for an extension lead (skirting board clipping aside) and luckily most homeowners would rather pay someone like me to hard wire it properly.

Excellent video and I'm glad I've just seen it. I intend to put an outside mains socket sometime soon but I was going to hardwire it in making it permanently on. How you've done it is great and soooooo much simpler. Thanks a lot I now know how to do it 'properly ' 👍

Thanks, a really good and informative video. I want to install one for our hot tub and wasn't sure if I could, but now feel very confident that I can.

Superb video thankyou. This works really well as one of the things that concerned me about having an outdoor socket (in a shared path), was other people plugging things into it. This way, when I'm not mowing/strimming I can just switch off at the plug! Impressed that you could line up two drill holes.

Thanks for your help on fitting the outside socket. I purchased the same product from Screwfix + 16 mm drill bit to go through wall + plumbers pipe all same day. All working fine and making such a difference instead of running x lead from house. 👏👍😉

Thank you for the tutorial mate, I followed your guide and now have an excellent outside socket for gardening and Xmas lights!👍

This is just the channel I need.. I have no Trade and can’t really afford to pay for all the little jobs that make the home more comfortable.. 👍

Thanks for this. I was researching how to power my caravan whilst it sits in the garden and this has been a big help. I really like the way you film and narrate so clearly, i have subscribed 👍

Great video as usual, I've had a similar thing thing fitted , by an electrician, ( a mate ) he wired my shed up with armour cable and put sockets complete with a mother board which can trip out both ends and has been passed safe , so good all round .

Full instruction from an expert. I can now install my new fountain with the necessary electrical skills. Excellent. Thank you.

Brilliant, next job on my 'to do list' thanks a lot. Off to the shops to get the socket and sundries.

Great video. No waffle, well filmed and good advise. Thank you Sir 🙏

Fantastic video - no way I would have thought I could do this job before watching - now I am completely confident I could do it!!! Thanks so much 👍👍👍

Thank you for such a great tutorial video. 😁😁😁 Since this video. I have installed one in the front and rear of my bungalow. Makes it much easier for my electric lawnmower and other garden tools etc. Thank you and be safe out there. 😁😁😁

Amazingly easy to follow, safe and practical method. I used the RCD version - most pleased with it, hank you.

I've just done this after watching your video. Decided to run the cable round the back of the fridge freezer. After moving the fridge for access all going well but then noticed the freezer door screws were really loose and door hanging off. The screws holding it on were not doing anything and had no bite left, no wonder it had been leaking. so then spent the next few hours taking fridge freezer doors off to fix it all. So now got a double socket right next to shed and a fixed freezer :)

A fantastic tutorial here! Many thanks.

Absolutely superb video. Really well put together. I normally end up skipping, but didn't with this one - very engaging. I'm definitely going to give this a go!

Great video, this is exactly the same way I installed my external socket and it works great.

Just done this for my new Lay-Z-Spa. Worked a treat, thanks bud!

Thank you for posting this. Really helpful and I now have an outdoor plug!

I love your videos and how well you explain everything and how you make it easy for mortals like me. I’m learning lots with you. Thank you and keep them coming!

What a superb tutorial. I’d be confident in this installation although I’d probably arse up the drilling knowing my DIY skills ! Subbed you

Excellent, clear and concise explanation which I shall certainly be using to fit my outside socket. Thank you!

Great video. Really clear, helpful. Thank you!

Excellent video. Clear, concise and confident. Many thanks for showing.

Haven't done a socket in sometime...it was a great reminder how do it again..and I agree with putting a plug on ,as opposed to wiring directly...for all the same reasons you outlined...a very helpful video..cheers pal..

Wow - I have done any diy - but watching your video's I want to try, Love the garden lights and this video so far