Will any spacer do?

[shedvice]

Hi there,

Finally getting around to sorting this out... we had house rewired/electrics replaced a couple of years ago, then skirting boards installed more recently. You can guess what happened... see photo! I think what I need is to install 'spacers' like the below? Am I right in thinking that basically any 2-gang spacer will fit any sockets, and that it's an easy job to install, nothing more than a screwdriver needed? I know the colours and shape might not perfectly match but the current situation is horrible.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/knightsbridge-2-gang-grey-surface-box-spacer-32mm/512px

Thanks!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Am I right in thinking that basically any 2-gang spacer will fit any sockets, and that it's an easy job to install, nothing more than a screwdriver needed? I know the colours and shape might not perfectly match but the current situation is horrible.

Basically, yes, but some will fit/match, better than others.. You will also need, longer screws. Turn the power off, when you tackle it.

 

[shedvice]

Basically, yes, but some will fit/match, better than others..

OK brilliant, thank you! And is it just a matter of pulling the face plate off, slipping the spacer over it, then re-inserting the screws? Most of the sockets are hidden away so I'm not too bothered about looks, but in one or two places I could replace the whole face plate for looks I guess? Would it be paranoia to think that's an electrician's job given my lack of experience?

I think I did it when I was a kid but that was the late 80s on a council estate... times have changed!

Edit: ah just seen the point about the screws, makes sense!

 

[ebee]

Does make me wonder why the sockets were not installed a lot higher anyway.
For most of my time ( I am nearly 70 years of age) the recommended minimum was about a foot (300mm) minimum to the bottom of the socket and more lately (years though) about half of that again. It is a very long time ago that sockets etc so low were pretty normal (even mounted in the skirting board itself)

 

[Sureitsoff?]

Looks like it might be a click scolmore socket so this should match

Click | CMA096 | 2 Gang 10mm Mode Gasket / Spacer White | Superlec Direct

Click CMA096 2 Gang 10mm Mode Gasket / Spacer White

www.superlecdirect.com

 

[endecotp]

is it just a matter of pulling the face plate off, slipping the spacer over it, then re-inserting the screws?

It depends how much slack there is in the wires. Sod’s law there will be zero slack and you’ll have a nightmare. Unscrew it now and check.

 

[shedvice]

Thanks both, good tips!

 

[shedvice]

Does make me wonder why the sockets were not installed a lot higher anyway.
For most of my time ( I am nearly 70 years of age) the recommended minimum was about a foot (300mm) minimum to the bottom of the socket and more lately (years though) about half of that again. It is a very long time ago that sockets etc so low were pretty normal (even mounted in the skirting board itself)

It is a bit of a puzzle - the house isn't that old (late Victorian). It wasn't a problem before we had the old flooring remove and so new skirting boards installed, and the ex-wife chose some very chunky skirting boards. (Which to be fair, do look good.)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It depends how much slack there is in the wires. Sod’s law there will be zero slack and you’ll have a nightmare. Unscrew it now and check.

Unlike the single switch/single socket version of these spacers, the version which fits a double, can often be simply eased over the socket, avoiding the need to disconnect/reconnect the wiring.

 

[trojanhawrs]

It is a bit of a puzzle - the house isn't that old (late Victorian).

Lol

 

[JohnW2]

Unlike the single switch/single socket version of these spacers, the version which fits a double, can often be simply eased over the socket, avoiding the need to disconnect/reconnect the wiring.

Yes, that's sometimes the case. As you imply, with the single-size ones, one inevitably has to disconnect/re-connect the wiring.

However, I think the comment (about 'lack of slack') to which you were responding was referring to the problem that existed if there were so little slack in the conductors/cable, that they would not reach the terminals of the accessory if it were moved slightly forwards by a spacer.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yes, that's sometimes the case. As you imply, with the single-size ones, one inevitably has to disconnect/re-connect the wiring.

However, I think the comment (about 'lack of slack') to which you were responding was referring to the problem that existed if there were so little slack in the conductors/cable, that they would not reach the terminals of the accessory if it were moved slightly forwards by a spacer.

If the cables were tight, the OP might have a better chance of slipping the spacer in, without disconnecting, than of disconnecting and reconnecting after adding the spacer.

 

[JohnW2]

If the cables were tight, the OP might have a better chance of slipping the spacer in, without disconnecting, than of disconnecting and reconnecting after adding the spacer.

Agreed - if it's possible. However, as I wrote, I think it may well be impossible to get a spacer over the face of a 'single socket', given that they are made out of rigid/brittle material which has no 'give' in it. However, I may be wrong.

 

[ebee]

Agreed - if it's possible. However, as I wrote, I think it may well be impossible to get a spacer over the face of a 'single socket', given that they are made out of rigid/brittle material which has no 'give' in it. However, I may be wrong.

Quite so.
A similar example is when using a "Yoozy Box" - |Something I do very rarely, to retro fit a twin socket without disconnecting and fitting the yoozy box with care can be done quite easily but a single socket or FCU is not easy if actually possible at all.
I have found that a yoozy box can be a good aid when tiling a wall with a socket in place - I hate to see sockets have been tiled in and grouted rather than fixed over the tiles as they should be and strictly speaking we should not slacken a socket off the wall to tile or wallpaper should we.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have found that a yoozy box can be a good aid when tiling a wall with a socket in place - I hate to see sockets have been tiled in and grouted rather than fixed over the tiles as they should be and strictly speaking we should not slacken a socket off the wall to tile or wallpaper should we.

I always either ease them clear of the wall, or take them off, to paper or paint.