Replacing single socket with double - attaching box to wall.

[Nope]

Hi everyone.

Following on from my successful installation of an IKEA light unit in place of a pendant and ceiling rose I am now turning my attention to the room sockets. We have only two single sockets and since the room will be used as our study I want to upgrade these to doubles. I asked wife if she’s happy with surface mounted (so I don’t have to cut holes in the newly papered and painted walls) and she’s fine with that. I have been looking at pattress boxes for wall mounted sockets and it looks like the cutouts for screw holes will line up with the screw holes on the metal box in the wall.

My question is - would it be acceptable to just screw the pattress into these holes or should I mark and drill holes in the wall? Happy with either method but obviously reusing the existing holes will save the trouble of drilling!

 

[RandomGrinch]

I asked wife if she’s happy with surface mounted (so I don’t have to cut holes in the newly papered and painted walls) and she’s fine with that.

If she's happy with surface mount, why not get a slightly chunky, but easy to install 1G to 2G socket adapter...

LAP 13A 1G to 2G Switched Converter Socket White - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Ideal for places where extra outlets are required. Suitable for flush-mounted boxes. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Sureitsoff?]

trouble with relying on using the existing fixing screws to hold a new box over it is that it is VERY easy to tighten the screws too tight and crack the back of the new box meaning that it isnt held and you then have to drill holes ..........

If you are quick toolstation have 1g to 4g convertors

Socket Converter

BS1363. Increase the number of sockets without installing new boxes or pattresses. Single pole.

www.toolstation.com

or you can get 1g to 3g

EW - Socket 1G & 2G - 3G Convertor 13A Selectric LG90983CON

Selectric Socket 1G & 2G - 3G Convertor 13A LG90983CON for sale in store and online from Electrical Wholesaler for 1 day delivery

www.electricalwholesaler365.co.uk

 

[Nope]

trouble with relying on using the existing fixing screws to hold a new box over it is that it is VERY easy to tighten the screws too tight and crack the back of the new box meaning that it isnt held and you then have to drill holes ..........

If you are quick toolstation have 1g to 4g convertors

Socket Converter

BS1363. Increase the number of sockets without installing new boxes or pattresses. Single pole.

www.toolstation.com

or you can get 1g to 3g

EW - Socket 1G & 2G - 3G Convertor 13A Selectric LG90983CON

Selectric Socket 1G & 2G - 3G Convertor 13A LG90983CON for sale in store and online from Electrical Wholesaler for 1 day delivery

www.electricalwholesaler365.co.uk

I’d heard those socket converters were not rated to the same power rating as standard 2G sockets. Perhaps I’m mistaken?

 

[Sureitsoff?]

the 3 and 4 way converters have fuse holders in them to rate them at 13A or less but if you are using them in a study/office 13A is more than enough for computers/printers/routrs etc. In effect the 3 and 4 way ones are just like a screwed to the wall extension lead

 

[markyd1]

Additional sockets......Type A rcd needed

 

[Nope]

Additional sockets......Type A rcd needed

What does that mean? I’m not adding any additional sockets, just replacing two single sockets with double sockets.

 

[Murdochcat]

Additional sockets......Type A rcd needed

Absolutely not

 

[markyd1]

So you started with 2 and you will end up with 4...additional sockets need a type A rcd

 

[markyd1]

Absolutely not

Wrong

 

[Nope]

So you started with 2 and you will end up with 4...additional sockets need a type A rcd

I still dont know what you mean by “type A RCD”.

 

[markyd1]

Your existing rcd will need upgrading

 

[Nope]

Your existing rcd will need upgrading

So how come none of the websites I’ve been looking at mention doing this when they do the install?

 

[Nope]

Wrong

So you say I don’t need a Type A RCD, he says I don’t. Which is correct?

 

[conny]

You don't need to change your RCD.
An electrical circuit/consumer unit doesn't care if you use single, double or triple sockets.

If you are using surface mount pattress boxes, you can cut a recessed block of wood to fill the hole in the wall. Use the holes fixings of the sunken box to screw the wooden block into the existing holes in the wall. Then attach a piece of plasterboard over this. Fill in any gaps in the plasterwork and mount you new boxes on the surface by screwing through to the wooden block. The mounting holes in a double pattress are in a different position to a single one.