Backbox not deep enough for socket

[Cigaro]

Hi guys,

I have a socket in my house - above the kitchen cupboards - which was never screwed in to the backbox (I know, shocking!)

It never previously bothered me, but I went up there to screw it in the other day and realised why it was never done - the backbox is not deep enough to accept the socket face!

So, since I don't fancy putting a deeper backbox in (it's in a really awkward place and I've never done that before), can I:

- get a slimmer socket face? Is this something I can get from Screwfix/City Electrical/other electrical factors, as I'd like to get it done tomorrow?

or, alternatively, since I never use it:

- connect the ring together there and put a blanking plate over? What would be the preferred way to do this, a (suitably rated) chocblock?

Cheers!

 

[EFLImpudence]

can I:- get a slimmer socket face? Is this something I can get from Screwfix/City Electrical/other electrical factors,

Yes, although it will likely have a thicker front while the back will be shallower (unless the back box is something out of the ordinary).

 

[Cigaro]

can I:- get a slimmer socket face? Is this something I can get from Screwfix/City Electrical/other electrical factors,

Yes, although it will likely have a thicker front while the back will be shallower (unless the back box is something out of the ordinary).

Fine by me. So I just ask for a socket with a shallower back on it? No special names or anything?

 

[bernardgreen]

Or fir one of these to make the box deeper

http://uk.farnell.com/productimages/farnell/standard/42626881.jpg

http://uk.farnell.com/mk-electric/k2134whi/frame-mounting-20mm-1gang/dp/987402

 

[Chri5]

Most plastic faced (non slim line) have about the same depth of internals that sit in the B/box.

Metal faced are the deepest.

If the sockets in the rest of the prperty are different you could try a swap.

Is the box really too shallow or is it poor postion of the cable in the box causing trapping when you attempt to do the socket fix?

If you dont use it, and because a mis match in a room of sockets looks like a pigs ear, I'd fit a blanking plate and just join the cabling with connectors, 30 amp ones.

 

[Chri5]

Or fir one of these to make the box deeper

http://uk.farnell.com/productimages/farnell/standard/42626881.jpg

http://uk.farnell.com/mk-electric/k2134whi/frame-mounting-20mm-1gang/dp/987402[/QUOTE]

Double socket ?

 

[bernardgreen]

http://www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/Pro...ucts/boxes/mountingframes/Pages/K2133WHI.aspx

K2133 is a double.

It would probably require longer screws as well.

 

[securespark]

I have come across countless installations in South Manchester with Crabtree sockets with plasterdepth metal boxes behind.

Maybe it was a trend in the seventies or maybe it was just one man going round at that time doing houses in this area, I don't know...

I'm not sure how he did it. Me, I'd be pooing myself every time I IR'd the RF wondering whether I'd get a SC, or a pressure fault tripping an RCD.

Mind you, if he did that, he probably didn't IR anything did he?

With the power off, measure the depth of the box. If it's < 25mm, then you'll need a spacer as suggested.

Maybe the box is crammed with conductors?

 

[westie101]

Recently we redecorated the kitchen, even with 32mm boxes I managed to pierce the insulation of the live core when screwing a socket back on!!

 

[securespark]

Eeh ya bumsy clugger!

No, I did that when I was an apprentice...very embarrassing!

 

[westie101]

Best bit was I had only switched the ring main off by pulling the fuse as I was only releasing the sockets from the boxes. Got a bit of a surprise when the 30A fuse blew as I replaced it
(though I was using the techniques I use at work replacing it quickly)

 

[streetlighter]

Same situation in some ex council houses in Widnes Cheshire 16 mm plaster depth boxes for single sockets but the socket faces where made by Nettle. The cores are literally cut to length with no slack on them and no CPC sleeving.

 

[RF Lighting]

Haven't heard of Nettle sockets for some time!