Drylining box for floor sockets

[bsr]

Hello

Google suggests it's OK to use drylining boxes to fit sockets into chipboard floors. Any view on this?

I wasn't so sure the lip would take the potential weight of someone standing on them, but thinking about it, the socket is slightly bigger than the box so should sit directly on the floor.

Cheers

bsr

 

[EFLImpudence]

I don't think you are supposed to stand on them.

Surely the faceplate could crack if plastic or bend if metal.

 

[JohnD]

Google suggests

Google is not a person, or an authority, or an expert system.

It just directs you to things somebody has written.

Some of these people are idiots.

What sort of socket are you thinking of using?

a plastic wall socket?

or a metal floor socket with flap?

or a floor box with a lid that closes and is fairly safe to walk on?

What are you thinking of plugging into the floor?

Are you expecting to walk on them (1) when not being used (2) when there is a plug in the socket?

Are they in a room where water or other liquids are ever present?

 

[JohnW2]

I don't think you are supposed to stand on them. Surely the faceplate could crack if plastic or bend if metal.

I don't doubt that one is "not supposed to stand on them", but the realities of life are surely such that it would be rather crazy to produce floor sockets that couldn't tolerate being stood in, wouldn't it?

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

Google suggests it's OK to use drylining boxes to fit sockets into chipboard floors. Any view on this?

Google is not a qualified electrician,

MK Albany Plus 742BRC Floor Socket Outlet 13amp

 

[conny]

I would suggest at least putting a noggin behind the back box to help prevent flexing if someone does walk on it.
How thick is the flooring? (Just out of curiosity)

 

[EFLImpudence]

I don't doubt that one is "not supposed to stand on them", but the realities of life are surely such that it would be rather crazy to produce floor sockets that couldn't tolerate being stood in, wouldn't it?

Such is life.

Do you think the instructions are more likely to say "Do not stand on the socket" or "Weight limit 20 stone"?

 

[JohnW2]

Such is life. Do you think the instructions are more likely to say "Do not stand on the socket" or "Weight limit 20 stone"?

Dunno - but I still think that any reputable manufacturer of floor sockets would design and manufacture them so that they could stand up to the sort of foot traffic 'which could reasonably be expected to be a possibility' in service.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

I would suggest at least putting a noggin behind the back box to help prevent flexing if someone does walk on it.

If, as I assume is the case, the 'face plate' of the socket is attached to, and supported by, the floor (rather than the back box), then the back box should not experience any appreciable stresses even if someone stands on the socket, should they?

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

Floor sockets are best located where people cannot easily stand on them.

The normal method is a metal back box well supported by ( as already mentioned ) a noggin or similar method.

Also consider the trip hazard from the plug in the socket and/or the cable if the socket is close to where people are walking. When the socket is not in use the closed cover plate should be level with the floor.

 

[rsgaz]

Bernard, I'm wincing at the potential toe pain from one of those in a domestic setting!! At least the corners are slightly radiused compared to the early ones!!

Some floor grommets(not the ones where the lid is just thin 2mm plastic) are rated for standing on, without a noggin underneath or set into the screed, etc. Just a nice neat 127mm holesaw hole...

https://www.powerdatamanagement.co/product/13a-unswitched-power-grommet-inc-carpet-recess/

A full on rectangular floor box is fully rated for heavy office furniture to be left on it permanently, but maybe overkill for home use, unless you're needing aerial/cat5e/HDMI in there also, OP?

 

[rsgaz]

Legrand ones are definitely rated to the proper standards...

https://www.legrand.co.uk/products/cable-management/floor-and-perimeter-systems//pg6

 

[bernardgreen]

Bernard, I'm wincing at the potential toe pain from one of those in a domestic setting!!

Floor sockets are best located where people cannot easily stand on them.

In the lounge ( of my pervious house ) the floor socket was next to the column of the spiral staircase.

Untitled

• bernardgreen
• 8 Dec 2009
• 1

 

[JohnW2]

In the lounge ( of my pervious house ) the floor socket was next to the column of the spiral staircase.

In the most common (non-domestic) situation one (at least I) usually see(s) floor sockets etc. (e.g. in conference rooms etc.) they are almost invariably under tables, hence not at risk of being trodden on - although I still think that they should be designed to be able to withstand foot traffic (when no plugs plugged in!) if they have to!

Kind Regards, John

 

[SUNRAY]

In the lounge ( of my pervious house ) the floor socket was next to the column of the spiral staircase.

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• bernardgreen
• 8 Dec 2009
• 1

NICE...