chrome face sockets - plastic gaskets? advice please

[Gille]

Just bought some chrome face sockets to replace the plastic type in my kitchen. I am confident enough to replace these as they are a straight swap but wanted to ask about any additional work that I may need to do because they are metal and not plastic. The sockets came with a clear plastic gasket to fit between the wall and the socket, however I think it looks unsightly and have not come across this before. Has anyone seen these gaskets before? Do you trim them when the face is tight against the wall? Or is there anything else I need to do?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Pensdown]

As you say the outlets should be a direct replacement assuming you have earths at the sockets.

The gasket is supposed to stop the fascia’s tarnishing when fixed back to the wall. You can trim them but do use them otherwise in a few years they may discolour

 

[Gille]

Thanks for the advice, I thought the gasket was something to do with preventing shocks, excuse my ignorance. The sockets will be set against wall tiles so hopefully there should be no problem with tarnishing if I don't use them. I will check the earthing when I get home tonight. The kitchen has had a new ring circuit fitted so hopefully should be earthed correctly. The wife fancied the chrome finish instead of white plastic after we had the walls tiled.

Cheers

 

[the_jinj]

I would hope that the sockets do have an earth at them!! You need to take a flying lead from the earth to the connector on the metal casing.

 

[Pensdown]

I'm no expert on the plastic gaskets and I don't know if fitting the sockets on a tiled will prevent them discolouring. I have seen the results of not fitting them on papered and plastered walls and they look awful.

Maybe someone will come along who can offer better advise.

 

[Steve]

Yeah, they do look awful when you dont use the gasket . . .

. . . as my dad's DIY shows

 

[Pensdown]

A picture is better than a thousand words.

Crafty. Can I have your permission to save that picture? I'd like to use it to show engineers what happens when they are too lazy or forget to fit the gasket.

 

[Steve]

fair enough! I was surprised there are spots of stain all over it, I thought it might "migrate" from the edges in a continuous pattern.

 

[Pensdown]

Cheers mate

I'd like to know what causes it and why as you say it effects the parts that are not in direct contact with the wall.