Moving sockets up about 6 inches

[Mike-H]

The existing plug sockets in a couple of rooms sits low just above the skirting board. As i plan to recess the socket anyway I though I could also lift this slightly.

If there is no 'give' in the cables what is the best way to extend them by a few inches to meat the new height? I am assuming the old style crip connectors are a bad idea with current regs etc. Could i use a choc box for this and plaster over?

Mike.

 

[SparkoJon]

Dont plaster over, as in future an electrician may need access - 2 choices really...

stick a blanking plate over and run a spur up a few inches

go out, buy a new 2.5mm wire length and re-wire - you will need an electriican in for this though.

 

[Mike-H]

A blanking plate is not my preferred finish for the wall. In the unlikely event that an electrician needs access to that 6 inch gap i would happily break through plaster and redo.

Are there really no options other than to rewire that section of cable? I had hoped there was a junction or connector available.

 

[SparkoJon]

Under 17th Edition, you can use junction boxes, but they HAVE to be accessable - not covered with plaster etc...

Other than that, a rewire would be the best option - least then you know its done - make sure it gets tested and certified/notified if you do this yourself...

 

[Chri5]

Buy some rachet crimps and crimp new cable on to old. Crimps are permanent as as such don't count as junction points so are fine.

You should sleeve over the crimps with heat shrink or use self amalgermating tape.

 

[londonboy]

Give the cables a tug first, you may be lucky

 

[Mike-H]

Give the cables a tug first, you may be lucky

Either that or I pull them out altogether

 

[LiamPope]

I am assuming the old style crip connectors are a bad idea with current regs etc. Could i use a choc box for this and plaster over?

Mike.

You assume wrong. Crimps = good (done with a proper ratchet crimp tool - BAS, your pic, please and thankyou - and then sleeved), chock-block = bad. You can plaster over your properly crimped connections.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Use a crimper like this:

not one of these:

 

[Taylortwocities]

You should sleeve over the crimps with heat shrink or use self amalgermating tape.

You must do this. The cable and joints must be double insulated and the sleeve will ensure this.

Also you'll trip the RCD as soon as you sloch wet filler onto the joint!!

 

[Chri5]

T2C - Not speaking from experience are we

 

[Taylortwocities]

Nope

Double insulated is regs
Not plaster sloshing is common sense

 

[Mike-H]

You should sleeve over the crimps with heat shrink or use self amalgermating tape.

You must do this. The cable and joints must be double insulated and the sleeve will ensure this.

Also you'll trip the RCD as soon as you sloch wet filler onto the joint!!

Don't think there is an RCD. I will protect wires with metal trunking to avoid 'sloch'.

Thanks for your advice. I will do my best and hope there is some give on the wires.

 

[JohnD]

you might also consider sliding oval plastic conduit over each cable. This gives the protection and also maker it easier to poke down behind the skirting and possibly into the floor void. It fits rubber grommets in the metal wall box if you squeeze it round.

 

[flameport]

Don't think there is an RCD. I will protect wires with metal trunking to avoid 'sloch'.

If no RCD, then one will need to be fitted. This unfortunately makes this work notifiable as well.