Fitting a blanking plate

[peteski2017]

Hi all

Before I ring I want to get your advice on fitting a blanking plate. We intend to take away a double socket we don't use in a hall and fit a flat plate so we can push furniture up to the wall. The only issue is the double socket has a spur running from it to a cupboard and a router which we want to keep using. Is this possible? If so I'll get an electrician in to do it.

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

Why bother?

Can you not push furniture up to the socket?

 

[sircerebus666]

I'm confused

Don't you have skirting fitted which will prevent you from pushing furniture up against the wall anyway?

 

[peteski2017]

No no skirting and it's a book case - space only allows for it to be pushed back on to the socket so it sticks out on the side you see which looks awful. Option two is plasterboard it up but it still leaves my question re; the spur itself

 

[SFK]

Pereski,
Get electrician to Remove existing socket (just front socket, leave box at back).
Get electrician to join wires inside using a suitably sized (Current rated) connector block (this will be the ring and the spur, so three cables in total).
Get a blanking plate and provide it to electrician to use.
Following are the super slim blanking plates:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/electric...lanking_plate&switchessocketsprofiletype=flat

These are all of them:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/electric...530&switchessocketsproducttype=blanking_plate

Best not to plaster it up as this can break rules as no one then knows that there are wires there (or directly above, to the sides or directly below).
And you will only remember when you drill though a cable.

So having blanking plate is simple solution as means that you can see that there are wires there. And where not to drill (safe zones). And can replace socket later.
SFK

 

[peteski2017]

Thanks SFK really appreciate your help! Someone who doesn't prioritise debating the Mrs's decor decisions over the answer!

 

[SFK]

Pereski, no worries and my pleasure.

But it is a forum, so its best expecting it to be like asking a question to a group of friends. You get a massive range of answers and often more interested questions. And not always immediately the answer you wanted or expected. (They might be trying to save you money and hassle)

Also their questions and your answers made it easier for me to answer.

SFK

 

[peteski2017]

Good point mate. Also thanks for the blanking plate advice I'd have made a big error just plaster boarding it up!

 

[winston1]

No no skirting and it's a book case - space only allows for it to be pushed back on to the socket so it sticks out on the side you see which looks awful.

But a blanking plate will also stick out the side and look awful.

 

[333rocky333]

Don't think he means the blank plate will stick out the side, rather that the socket behind will prevent one side of the bookcase fitting flush with the wall, therefore the side of the bookcase will be away from the wall some 10mm
The thinnest blankplates still likely more than 3mm so will still stick out.
If the bookcase is a decent thickness may be best to router the back out a bit

 

[peteski2017]

That’s exactly it rocky. Will explore that option 3mm is much more acceptable

 

[stem]

I had a similar issue to get around. I removed the double socket from its backbox and after cutting a hole in the back of the bookcase that lined up with the socket backbox, screwed the bookcase securely flat to the wall and refitted the socket over the cut out and fixed it to the backbox using long reach screws. In my case, the socket was perfectly located above a shelf for a lamp, and mobile phone charging. You might not be so lucky.

 

[SUNRAY]

Depending on what the box and plaster are like it may be possible to cut a metal plate to be a snug fit inside the box to stop it sticking out at all. [It will need an earth wire].

 

[333rocky333]

That’s exactly it rocky. Will explore that option 3mm is much more acceptable

Look at Marshall Tuflex ones, they are soft plastic and made from the stuff plastic mini trunkings made from, they are the thinnest i have seen, in my opinion if you do blank off the socket keep Earth continuity to the metal Box.
Saying that im assuming its a metal box in a brick wall, if its a stud wall you may be able to relocate it,

Looks like the singles actually 2mm im sure they do a twin
https://www.rexel.co.uk/uki/root-ca...-Cover-Plate-86-x-86-x-2mm-White/p/2500014827