When was the standard single back box introduced?

[securespark]

I know the current three pin socket was introduced in 1947.

But were accessories that use the now standard square back box (75mm x 75mm) in existence before then?

Just that I noticed on Agatha Christie's "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" some "modern" light switches.

Initially, I thought it must be a goof, but then I got to thinking maybe not.

Has anyone got any thoughts?

 

[SUNRAY]

I don't know either but there were some square 'dolly' switches in existance for a very long time which were a Ceramic based switch mounted in the wall then plate was held in place with a nut round the dolly, they were available in multiple units too.

The same format was also used in CI (conduit) boxes.

 

[sparkwright]

I believe MK introduced the first single metal knock-out box and accessories to fit circa 1954, give or take a year.

I suspect all the other outdated things like wooden switch boxes and round toggle switches on wooden pattresses were made for several years after.

Clearly the single metal box that we know today was based on those old wooden switch boxes.

 

[sparkwright]

When was the film you saw made, and when was it set?

There's loads of mistakes in modern films set in the historical past, as you see things like cable tv boxes, tv aerials, etc...

Or you see a programme made in the UK, but set in somewhere abroad, and you see British style light switches and similar...

 

[sparkwright]

UPDATE. In 1955, according to the MK history website, the first light light switch as we know them today was launched, so I imagine the single metal box came out around this time too.

Of course you do see these light switches fitted over wooden back boxes, and I think some of these were done like that from new.

As usual there is often a cross over period as new products come and old products go.

 

[ericmark]

Parents house built 1954 the light switch back boxes were wood and had MK printed on them. The light switches were all flush, seems a year out from what you say?

 

[SUNRAY]

My house... built 1965 with MK wooden backboxes:

All of the lighting looked very original in 1994 when we moved in; with Crabtree flush switches (like a number of neighbours so I assume original) most of the sockets, apart from the kitchen, were surface mounted, looked like 3 sockets on the original ring with the rest as spurs.
I know metal back boxes were available before then, in 1961 we moved into a house and soon started replacing wooden patress mounted accessories with flush on metal backboxes. However the garage built in 1966 we used brand new wooden patress's with ceramic/bakelite switches and twin 3/0.029" (no earth) which are still there AFAIK.

 

[securespark]

The 1950s stuck in my mind too. I know there were 15A round pin sockets dating back to then.

When was the film you saw made, and when was it set?

There's loads of mistakes in modern films set in the historical past, as you see things like cable tv boxes, tv aerials, etc....

Just that I noticed on Agatha Christie's "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" some "modern" light switches.

Filmed in 1989ish and set sometime in the 30s.

They were square chrome switches with a circular retaining ring, so at a pinch I suppose they could be period style with a wooden back box.

 

[333rocky333]

Was they first used for sockets rather than switches, Bs standards have been around since 1900, maybe the history of the boxes BS number may shed some light.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I don't know either but there were some square 'dolly' switches in existance for a very long time which were a Ceramic based switch mounted in the wall then plate was held in place with a nut round the dolly, they were available in multiple units too.

and usually installed in a box wood box set in the wall. Pre-metrication, there were pressed, galv. metal boxes, which had BA lugs.

 

[SUNRAY]

and usually installed in a box wood box set in the wall.

Yes I assume so but My experience is CI

Pre-metrication, there were pressed, galv. metal boxes, which had BA lugs.

With 4 holes for a double size.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

With 4 holes for a double size.

Correct.

 

[333rocky333]

Correct.

Sure some had 6 holes

 

[SUNRAY]

Correct.

Has been a PITA a few times for me

 

[SUNRAY]

Sure some had 6 holes

Yep for a while double boxes did have 6.
Bigger sizes certainy did, like a 3 row grid plate.