Domestic question

[matt1971]

Hi all,

I have a few wall old fashioned wall sockets, the ones without the switch.

How easy is it to change the socket for one with a switch?

I am no electrician but I know how to put put a plug on an electrical device and of course I also know that
I have to switch of the supply at the consumer unit hehe

Thanks for any advice!

Matthew

 

[riveralt]

It will depend how old the current wall sockets are - there are modern wall sockets without a switch you know - and whether they are surface mounted or have some form of sunken back box which supports the socket itself.
Photographs would help.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[matt1971]

Untitled

• matt1971
• 12 Feb 2012
• 1

This is the facial of it, I appreciate you may want pictures of the back of it!

BTW thanks for your responses!

 

[riveralt]

From the front that looks okay with screws in the right position - just make sure there is a metal back box and make sure you have the correct conductors present.
As a minimum you should have live (probably red) neutral (probably black) and earth (probably bare copper wire).
Make sure you marry the correct cables to the correct terminals on the new socket and ensure that the bare copper is sleeved.
You have already alluded to working safely be ensuring the power if off before you commence the work.

 

[matt1971]

Great advice!

What is the best to sleeve the bare copper wire, assuming that it is bare?

I presume B+Q do something?

Kind regards

Matthew

 

[riveralt]

Great advice!

What is the best to sleeve the bare copper wire, assuming that it is bare?

I presume B+Q do something?

Kind regards

Matthew

The size depends on the number of conductors present at the socket. This is for a 5mm cable - I normally sleeve each cable separately.
http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/electric...ving-DGYSLV23-5-Green-Yellow-5mm-x-5m-9290621

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

As riveralt has suggested, you may find bare copper cables that are the CPC(earths) quite often twisted together. They should ideally be seperated. But a word of caution depending on the condition of the cables, when untwisting they can break/snap. Which is a bugger
Also be aware often on old wiring you may find there is not a lot of slack on the cables to terminate to new outlets.
If this is the case, you may have to extend the conductors using suitably rated connectors.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You can quite easily make those singles into doubles without having to dig out the wall.

Try these http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/electric...kets/clipsal/Clipsal-Converta-Socket-11567748

 

[TicklyT]

Older back boxes used different threads for the socket fixing screws. They were often 4BA threads instead of M3.5

It's often possible to run a metric screw into a BA thread about half way, then PING! - the screw shears when you try to tighten it, and you end up replacing the back box too.

Keep the fixing screws from the old sockets, and compare them with the new ones before fitting. If you have any doubts, or the new screws start binding in the holes, re-use the old screws.

Some suppliers have stocks of BA mounting screws, or it may be possible to open out the holes to M3.5 with a thread cutting tap.