Converting single Gang into Double/Triple gang socket

z3usx

Hi

I just moved into a house where all the rooms only have a single 1 gang electrical socket - so i decided to change these using socket convertors 1g to up to 4g, but when i removed the wall plate i could only see 2 red wires going into one terminal and 2 black wires going into one terminal - no bare or earth wire. This is the same for the 3 rooms i want to change.

Just wondered what i should do in this situation - carry on installing the convertors or get an electrician?

thanks

davy_owen_88 · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:31 pm Post Subject:

Are you sure there isn't an earth connection to the backbox? If not get an electrician in and don't use any class I appliances until it is sorted.

RF Lighting · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:37 pm Post Subject:

Can you post a photo of the wiring?

What material was the insulation?

What colour was the socket front (white, cream or brown), and was it switched?

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z3usx · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:52 pm Post Subject:

I will try and get a photo tomorrow - i'm not sure of the material, the socket is switched but there are others that are sort of cream (the switches are not flat like modern switches, more like a lever) - is it likely there is an earth connectio to the back box - i have not removed it.

thanks

Taylortwocities · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:08 pm Post Subject:

It sounds to me that your wiring is run in metal conduit. If you look at where the wires enter the box, can you see any outer cable sheath, or do the cables come up into the box in a metal tube (conduit)?

If so, the metal tube should be providing the earth to the back box and the act of screwing the socket onto the backbox provides the earth path.

Do post a photo, a picture is worth a 1,000 words...

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z3usx · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:07 pm Post Subject:

Hi, got a picture - any help would be great

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/1796/pict0003jq5.jpg

Thanks

Taylortwocities · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:07 pm Post Subject:

Ok, looks like your wiring is run in conduit like i thought.

If replacing the sockets with converta ones I would recommend that you get someone with a low reading ohmmeter to check that the conduit is providing a proper earth at each socket (or run an Earth Fault Loop Impedance test). And that you run a length of earth wire between the backbox and the socket itself.
I dont trust those converta sockets to do a decent job otherwise.

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z3usx · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:24 pm Post Subject:

Hi

Thanks, think i might just call an electrician - Any ideas on how much getting two of these sorted and converted will cost in general?

thanks

breezer · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:28 pm Post Subject:

depends on how much work involved.

you are not going to like this, but i bet he says it needs a rewire, they loolk like vey old singles to me

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z3usx · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:13 am Post Subject:

Hi

Just thinking about it, a new electric shower was installed last year and a boiler and central heating about 10 years ago - surely if the wiring was too old it wouldn't be safe to do so - especially a shower.

Still ringing for quotes - but i don't think i could afford a rewire

ColJack · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:16 am Post Subject:

is it just my eyes or do they look like 4mm²'s too?

a full rewire will set you back between £1500 and £3000 depending on location, number of rooms, etc, etc..

you could probably just get the sockets rewired

it's possible to change the backbox to doubles but would involve making a mess of the walls a bit..

Taylortwocities · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:04 pm Post Subject:

It may not be that easy Col. Most of the domestic conduit installations I have seen have concrete floors or ceilings with no access to the elbows and conduit junctions.

Could be easy, could be a right pig!

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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. - F.D.R.