Removing socket without visible screws

[Jeppe]

Hi there.

I am on a mission to replace the sockets and light switches in a house we've just taken over so they all look the same, and I came across this socket:

There are no visible screws on the edges of the box, so I'm a bit stumped as to how to get it off the wall.

I have a hunch there might be screws hidden behind the two white squares located inside each socket, but I'm not sure how I would get those out as there's hardly any gap around them to get them out.

Any tips?

 

[JP_]

Have you tried gently, and then maybe less gently, pulling it? With the power off ...

Or there might be holes under the plate to release the front cover - it might click onto the box.

 

[Jeppe]

Yes, I've tried to give it a fair tug and also tried to use a screwdriver as a lever around the edge to see if that could get it off, but it feels like it's screwed in. I've also tried to see if I could get the covers for the switches off in case there are screws hidden underneath them, but without luck.

 

[SFK]

Removing the plates with a micro screwdriver is the way to go.

BUT as a warning - that is a single to dual socket convertor.

When you take it off there will only be a single socket hole under it.

So you may have an issue changing it make it match all your other sockets - unless you buy a single socket for that location, or your prefered brand makes a single to double convertor.

There is only LAP and Schneider at Screwfix.
Toolstation also has some.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-1g-to-2g-switched-converter-socket-white/108CC?

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/socket-converters/cat830536


https://www.toolstation.com/socket-converter/p88126?

Or you fit an extension box and your brand of socket (but it does sick out futher):
https://www.toolstation.com/axiom-pattress-box-conversion/p80152

SFK

 

[ETAF]

this may help

The squares under the earth socket - line up with a single gang box, so those white squares and should come out and reveal the screws that would fit into just a single backbox
video show it all really

 

[bernardgreen]

The fixing screws are under the small square panels. These panels can be prised out to revel the screws.

EDIT ETAF beat me to it.

 

[Alec_t]

With some clip-on covers there are holes/indentations in the bottom edge of the cover, for insertion of something to twist and lever off the cover.

 

[Jeppe]

Thanks for the help everybody. I wasn't aware this was a 1 to 2 socket converter! I think I'll just leave it as it is for now, but good to know what to expect if I want to get it off.

We are just going for plain white LAP sockets from Screwfix so I could potentially replace it with one of those, but I don't have it right now so it will have to wait a bit.

 

[Bosswhite]

The small white squares under the Earth , prise off with stanley knife blade .

 

[Mottie]

BUT as a warning - that is a single to dual socket convertor.

When I rewired my house about 25 years ago, I fitted a couple of single sockets in the bedrooms where I didn’t even expect to use a socket 'just in case'. Guess what - they’re the most used sockets in two of the bedrooms! I don’t fancy chipping out the wall so I might have to get a couple of those adaptors…..

 

[Risteard]

Thanks for the help everybody. I wasn't aware this was a 1 to 2 socket converter! I think I'll just leave it as it is for now, but good to know what to expect if I want to get it off.

We are just going for plain white LAP sockets from Screwfix so I could potentially replace it with one of those, but I don't have it right now so it will have to wait a bit.

LAP are truly awful.

 

[SUNRAY]

LAP are truly awful.

Funny you should say that...
In my rental properties LAP are my go to bescause they don't keep failing.

I used to use only MK as I was under the stupid idea they are the best. I've always replaced them about every 5 years but only at change of tenant and according to my spreadsheet I've had 41 visits 1999 to 2017 to replace faulty electrical accessories across 4 properties. 2014 I started fitting LAP and so far, other than alterations, I've replaced one bathroom pullswitch. I started using LAP while working for a company who used them as a cheap option and found them to be OK.

EDIT: they feel cheap and are a little 'soft', perhaps that's why they don't seem to break?

I know BAS would be shouting me down now for saying this and I'm sure others experiences are different. Who knows, in 5 or 10 year time I may have changed my mind.

 

[Risteard]

Funny you should say that...
In my rental properties LAP are my go to bescause they don't keep failing.

I used to use only MK as I was under the stupid idea they are the best. I've always replaced them about every 5 years but only at change of tenant and according to my spreadsheet I've had 41 visits 1999 to 2017 to replace faulty electrical accessories across 4 properties. 2014 I started fitting LAP and so far, other than alterations, I've replaced one bathroom pullswitch. I started using LAP while working for a company who used them as a cheap option and found them to be OK.

EDIT: they feel cheap and are a little 'soft', perhaps that's why they don't seem to break?

I know BAS would be shouting me down now for saying this and I'm sure others experiences are different. Who knows, in 5 or 10 year time I may have changed my mind.

MK is absolute junk.

My goto ranges would be Click Mode and Hager Sollysta. Reliable and at a decent price.

 

[SUNRAY]

MK is absolute junk.

My goto ranges would be Click Mode and Hager Sollysta. Reliable and at a decent price.

I used to use loads of Klik connectors, all makes but preferred the Click vesions for the better cable grip.

The first Click Modes I ever handled fell apart and the compo was 2 for 1 which were of course absolutely fine. I know i'm being silly but I've not been tempted since and I even know there was a publicised faulty batch with signs in wholesalers etc.

MK used to be the tops but just like everyone else progress takes over, especially the cost savings.
My all time favourite has to be Bill, My home made PA/mobile disco etc distros from late 60's/70's are still going with minimal breakages which I can't say for the MK versions.

I'll happily say that so far the cheap LAP stuff seems to be holding it's own in my rental properties.