Changing hardwired/integrated fridge socket to standard socket

[BethD]

Hi everyone!
We're getting rid of our old fridge which was hardwired and getting a new fridge which comes with a standard plug, so I need to changed out the hardwired socket for a standard socket. Do I need to buy anything other than a socket and a back box? And is a standard 13A socket sufficient?

 

[flameport]

Standard 13A socket will be fine - and if it's wired to something now surely there must already be a backbox?

 

[Jurassicspark]

Or you can cut the flex and wire it into existing isolator.

Doing it this way will mean you will have to change the fuse to 13A.

 

[BethD]

Or you can cut the flex and wire it into existing isolator.

Doing it this way will mean you will have to change the fuse to 13A.

The fuse in the plug?

 

[BethD]

Standard 13A socket will be fine - and if it's wired to something now surely there must already be a backbox?

You'd think so but I've not seen behind this one so I can't say for sure

 

[Jurassicspark]

The socket will fit in the existing backbox assuming if it's a 25mm one.

 

[Jurassicspark]

The fuse in the plug?

What I meant was, you can cut off the plug top from the new fridge and wire it straight into the isolator.

Or you could replace the isolator with a socket.

Up to you, whichever you find easier.

 

[sparkwright]

There must be a reason why the old fridge was hard-wired.
Since you have mentioned 'integrated' fridge, I imagine there was no space at the back for a 13amp plug to 'stick out', hence why the plug was removed and wired into an outlet plate/unswitched FCU.
If your new fridge is integrated, you will probably need to hard-wire it again.
Alternatively, fit the socket elsewhere (sounds like an effort).

 

[BethD]

There must be a reason why the old fridge was hard-wired.
Since you have mentioned 'integrated' fridge, I imagine there was no space at the back for a 13amp plug to 'stick out', hence why the plug was removed and wired into an outlet plate/unswitched FCU.
If your new fridge is integrated, you will probably need to hard-wire it again.
Alternatively, fit the socket elsewhere (sounds like an effort).

Both old and new fridges are free standing, and there's plenty of space around it, so I'm not sure why they chose to hard wire it tbh

 

[sparkwright]

Both old and new fridges are free standing, and there's plenty of space around it, so I'm not sure why they chose to hard wire it tbh

Ah - you have used the word 'integrated' in the title of this topic, but meant something else...

 

[ericmark]

I note my central heating comes from a fused connection unit, and is not RCD protected, my freezers and fridge/freezer plug into RCD sockets, unlike anything else in the house as supplied from an uninterruptible supply.

At one point if reserved for freezer use sockets did not need RCD protection, they do now, but maybe no plug or socket so RCD protection was not required?

 

[SUNRAY]

New builds tend to have a 13A socket right behind the appliance as it's often cheaper than a flex outlet plate, however often

no space at the back for a 13amp plug to 'stick out', hence why the plug was removed and wired into an outlet plate

 

[RrogerD]

Another consideration for hardwiring in an appliance is that it doesn't need to be annually PAT tested. Maybe this is what's happened?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Both old and new fridges are free standing, and there's plenty of space around it, so I'm not sure why they chose to hard wire it tbh

@BethD
in many installations a connection plate is fitted behind the appliance because access to a socket is difficult., but there is often a fused switch controlling this nearby.
This may be an FCU like this

Or a "grid" switch with controls for several devices.

Do you have one?

 

[BethD]

@BethD
in many installations a connection plate is fitted behind the appliance because access to a socket is difficult., but there is often a fused switch controlling this nearby.
This may be an FCU like this

Or a "grid" switch with controls for several devices.

Do you have one?

Hi, yes, we do have one, but as I've said elsewhere, there would be plenty of space for a normal socket behind it too