Replacement sockets and switches - different cover sizes

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A slightly unusual query this. I started out replacing the existing plain white sockets and switches in a kitchen with some smart looking "screwless" kit. BUT where sockets sit next to spur switches (dishwasher etc) and the telecom socket, the new units with covers take up very slightly more space that the old stuff being replaced. The difference in size is quite small, but enough to make it impossible to clip on the surface plates for the screwless kit.

Has anyone come across this? Is it possible to move the existing socket box screw receptors slightly to make use of any existing slack space to enable the new stuff to fit?

Thanks.
 
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Is it possible to move the existing socket box screw receptors slightly to make use of any existing slack space to enable the new stuff to fit?

No. The back boxes would have to be moved.

Depending on what the screwless finish plates are made of, it might be possible to cut them down.
 
Quite a common problem. The fancy front plates are often wider than the standard white ones.
Cutting will be a real pain. Better to find another similar style that is not quite so big.
 
If it really is only a gnat's cock, you may be able to slightly bend the sides of the boxes outwards, with a hammer and screwdriver. You would have to cut a very slim slither of the plaster away first.

This will be awkward if the wall is tiled though.
 
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Are your 13A plugs also smart looking kit, or are they plain white or black plastic? Otherwise hardly worth the hassle of changing the sockets.
 
Are your 13A plugs also smart looking kit, or are they plain white or black plastic? Otherwise hardly worth the hassle of changing the sockets.
In the distant past, when there was only one or two sockets per room (and fancy ones were probably not even available, anyway!), that would have been a very valid question. However, with the modern fashion of filling rooms with sockets, many of which will be visible and unused at any point in time, I suppose that some people will feel that the aesthetics of unused sockets has become a bit more important.

Kind Regards, John
 

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