Yellow sockets

[tambourineman]

Hi there,

Had a look through the wiki but couldn't see anything of direct relevance, so...

Moved into a property about four months ago (first property I've owned) and the previous owners had a kitchen fitted about 18 months prior. I've removed one of the socket faces to have a look at the wiring behind it and I noticed that the plastic behind the socket face is yellow, rather than the usual black.

Is there some special reason for this?

If they were to be replaced, would they have to be replaced with sockets with a similar yellow backing?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Thanks,
TM

 

[riveralt]

I don't think the colour matters, plastic cavity wall back boxes tend to have yellow/blue or red parts to them - the important thing is that for a 13A socket it should comply with BS1363 - it should say so on the rear of the socket.

Just make sure you isolate the supply and test that its dead before you start removing any cables to have a good look.

 

[GaryMo]

Just make sure you isolate the supply and test that its dead before you start removing any cables to have a good look.

That should be covers or the accessory face before you access any terminations.

 

[riveralt]

I thought he had already removed the cover?

 

[GaryMo]

I thought he had already removed the cover?

He should have checked for dead before doing so.

 

[tambourineman]

I don't think the colour matters, plastic cavity wall back boxes tend to have yellow/blue or red parts to them - the important thing is that for a 13A socket it should comply with BS1363 - it should say so on the rear of the socket.

Just make sure you isolate the supply and test that its dead before you start removing any cables to have a good look.

Nah, not the cavity box itself (sorry, my poor description), but the plastic behind the socket faceplate.

See pic below (of duly isolated circuit):

The other slightly worrying thing is that they haven't earthed the metal faceplate back to the cavity box. I've read that you can 'rely' on the screws to perform that job, but I was under the impression that good practice was to earth with a dedicated wire anyway (a 'pigtail'?).

Thanks for the quick replies so far.

 

[GaryMo]

That's not a cavity box and as it has at least one fixed lug there's no requirement to earth the backbox.

As you rightly stated though, it's good practice and something I've always done.

 

[riveralt]

There is nothing special about the colour of plastic at the rear of the socket just make sure it complies with BS1363 - it should say so somewhere on the rear. You could replace such a socket with a similar complying but different coloured socket.

 

[tambourineman]

That's not a cavity box and as it has at least one fixed lug there's no requirement to earth the backbox.

Ah... 'metal housing' is perhaps the correct term?

'Cavity box' sounded better than 'metal boxy thingamijig'.

As you rightly stated though, it's good practice and something I've always done.

Thought as much. Thanks for confirming.

There is nothing special about the colour of plastic at the rear of the socket just make sure it complies with BS1363 - it should say so somewhere on the rear. You could replace such a socket with a similar complying but different coloured socket.

Cool. Thanks for the input. Really appreciated.

Wish I'd signed up earlier.

 

[VanSolo]

What make are the sockets? Never seen yellow backs before.

 

[sparkwright]

hamilton hartland.

 

[VanSolo]

Never heard of them. With a name like that I would have expected them to make helicopters

 

[bernardgreen]

Who was looking for old fashioned light switches ?

http://www.hamilton-litestat.com/pdf/ranges/Woods.pdf

 

[333rocky333]

Pretty sure, Hamilton stuff uses same parts as GET accesories, just fancier fronts and costs more.

 

[VanSolo]

My god those things are dreadful. They look like a load of runner up plaques and horse brasses nailed to lumps of wood!