On 04/11/2020 19:49, Dr S Lartius wrote:

A multi-occupier building has, in a communal service cupboard, a
single standard 13A surface-mounted switched socket into which is
plugged a normal-looking plug.

Entering that plug are two different leads connected to two
different items of low-power fixed communal equipment (it is
not easy to see what each of those actually does - or did.

How should that setup be described, on a scale running from
entirely satisfactory to absolutely illegal?

Somewhere between the two. Its not ideal, but certainly not illegal.

Not being able to see it, I can only guess, but assuming the cables are
relatively thin and so can be adequately terminated in the single set of
terminals, and also the cord grip can function on both, then there is no
immediate risk.

The plug fuse should offer fault protection to both leads, so no worries
there. There is the operating practical issue of not now being able to
isolate one of the bits of equipment alone, making maintenance more
difficult, and potentially leading to unnecessary kit being left powered
when no longer required.

The common way of dealing with this in wiring cabinets is with a Power
Distribution Unit (or "PDU"), which is basically just a posh multiway
extension lead - usually with fixing points to allow easy wall or rack
mounting, and possibly individual switching per socket. e.g:

https://www.comms-express.com/produc...-plug-sockets/

Hacking about with the fixed wiring is unlikely something that most
contractors will want to do to in a communal space for any number of
reasons. (i.e. I am here to fix the CCTV or door entry system, not
rewire the lobby!)


--
Cheers,

John.

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