Converting a single socket to double

[Live&Learn]

Hi.

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

I have bought a house that was built in 1990 and each socket (flush) is only single. I would like to change them to doubles (prior to smoothing out the walls, plastering gaps and painting).

I have seen things like https://www.amazon.co.uk/13A-Switched-Socket-Converter-Gang/dp/B07KQ6J65N/ but as far as I understand they only allow 13 amps in total, as opposed to 13 amps per socket.

If I wanted 13 amps in socket, what would I have to do please?

I have read a few threads and will be going plastic only, no metal.

Thank you.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I have seen things like https://www.amazon.co.uk/13A-Switched-Socket-Converter-Gang/dp/B07KQ6J65N/ but as far as I understand they only allow 13 amps in total, as opposed to 13 amps per socket.

Only if it has a fuse, which I doubt it the case.
13A socket is just what they call them and a misnomer. The electrical trade is strewn with them.

If I wanted 13 amps in socket, what would I have to do please?

Well, to be absolutely certain you would need two single sockets as there is confusion as to whether a two-gang socket can actually take 26A.
Having said that, it is extremely doubtful that you would ever be drawing 2 x 13A.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Typically the 3-gang ones have a 13A fuse, but the 2-gang ones don't.

 

[daviesm1976]

If you are going to be plastering walls and filling gaps when not get the backboxes changed?

 

[Taylortwocities]

If you are going to be plastering walls and filling gaps when not get the backboxes changed?

I agree, those 1G to 2G converta sockets really look pants.

 

[SUNRAY]

If you're doing plastering work the most obvious thing to do is remove the single back boxes, enlarge the hole and fit double back boxes, do your plastering and no one will ever know the difference. Unlike thos silly conversion boxes.

That'll teach me to make a cup of tea during a reply and be beaten by Taylor

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ha

Tea? On a Friday night?

 

[Live&Learn]

Thanks. Yes, the plan is to do everything right.

So I assume I need one of these https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-installation-boxes-galvanised-steel-2-gang-25mm-pack-of-10/44706, one of these https://www.screwfix.com/p/schneider-electric-2-gang-surface-pattress-box-white-25mm/9655j and one of these https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-gang-dp-switched-plug-socket-white-5-pack/49620

Now my question is what do I do with the wire that's coming out of the wall, does the single wire go into the 2 gang pattress or will it have to be split?

Thanks

 

[flameport]

You need metal flush boxes, preferably 35mm depth, https://www.toolstation.com/metal-box-2-gang/p77591
and some grommets to go in the holes: https://www.toolstation.com/rubber-grommet/p66249

The white plastic boxes are for surface mount only, you do not need them.
Sockets can be whatever you want, but there are far better choices than LAP branded things from Screwfix.

what do I do with the wire that's coming out of the wall

It connects to the socket in exactly the same way it does now. All that's changed is the size of the metal box.

 

[SUNRAY]

Ha

Tea? On a Friday night?

I'll be driving at 11pm

 

[Live&Learn]

Thanks all. You have been very helpful. I have learned a lot in this brief thread and will not forget any of it.

Stay safe.

 

[Risteard]

Only if it has a fuse, which I doubt it the case.
13A socket is just what they call them and a misnomer. The electrical trade is strewn with them.


Well, to be absolutely certain you would need two single sockets as there is confusion as to whether a two-gang socket can actually take 26A.
Having said that, it is extremely doubtful that you would ever be drawing 2 x 13A.

There's no confusion. A double socket-outlet is not rated for 26A, but 20A (as per BS 1363).

 

[JohnW2]

There's no confusion. A double socket-outlet is not rated for 26A, but 20A (as per BS 1363).

That's not a 'rating' - it's the current used for the BS1363 temperature-rise test.

If you were to insist that it does constitute a 'rating', I would probably have to point out that that test requires a current of 14A to be drawn from one of the outlets of the double socket - does that mean that you would say that each outlet is, individually, 'rated' at 14A?

 

[JohnW2]

Typically the 3-gang ones have a 13A fuse, but the 2-gang ones don't.

Indeed - and I have certainly never seen, nor heard of, a fused 2-gang one. However, the temp-rise test in BS1363-2 does recognise such an animal, and requires it to be tested at 14A+6A. It's also interesting to see that it recognises >2-gang (e.g. 3-gang) unfused ones (for which it requires the test at 14A + 14A = 28A) - again something I've never seen or heard of ..

Kind Regards, John

 

[Risteard]

That's not a 'rating' - it's the current used for the BS1363 temperature-rise test.

If you were to insist that it does constitute a 'rating', I would probably have to point out that that test requires a current of 14A to be drawn from one of the outlets of the double socket - does that mean that you would say that each outlet is, individually, 'rated' at 14A?

No, because it explicitly states that 14A is intended to test a moderate overload (and does not constitute its rating).