How to find electricals...

[JohnHanna]

Hello all,
Basic question as I'm new to this... apologies if it's been discussed before.
A simple job. Putting up a shelf. I'm not sure if there are wires above this socket. The stud finder/AC detector isn't working well and gives warnings all over the place!
It's a period UK home (newly extended) . This is in the kitchen (ground floor) Handyman said wires would run below the socket and above switches but I received conflicting opinions about this. Any recommendations on what to do or a reliable AC detector? Thanks.

 

[ETAF]

maybe going vertically above the socket , thats how it should be configured as zones with potential cables - above/below vertically or horizontally
BUT who knows what may have been done
take the front off the socket - YOU may get a clue

various pictures on websites -

 

[pete01]

Wires should only run vertical or horizontal to the socket face size, but that isnt always the case...

Turn the power off remove the face and see which way they go.

 

[plugwash]

If the property has a timber ground floors then ground floor socket wiring is usually run under the floor and up to the sockets, but if the ground floor is concrete then wiring for the ground floor sockets is often run under the upstairs floor and down to the sockets.

I agree with others who suggest taking the socket off to see which way the wiring exits.

 

[Wayners]

Yeah. Take the socket off and look.

 

[pete01]

These are the zones....