Anyone know if we can chnen this socket to a plug socket..(pics included)?

gabyjane

This is in our hall and it would be really handy to change to a plug one for hoover etc..what is it for as we have a few dotted round the house?!
Thanks

MrsBartolozzi

It looks like an old storage heater socket. There will be wiring behind it and so yes, in principle you can put a socket there, but it would be connected to an old meter you probably don't have any more. Someone more knowledgable will be along soon to say for definite what to do.

maninthestreet

Did your house originally have off-peak storage heaters?

gabyjane

The house is only 2 years old!! nothing in it is old?!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

looks as though it has been wired for electric central heating, what type of meter do you have, one or two rate?

gabyjane

Hi thanks for the reply..hmm heating i have no idea..how would i find this out?..we have a glow worm boiler if that helps? these sockets are in odd places this one is near a radiator though..we have one at the bottom of the second set of stairs..one in the lounge which we thought may be for a fire if we wanted to put one in?
Thanks

[Deleted User]

Hi,

well if these were originally put in for electric central heating they will be on a timed circuit, coming live overnight, cheap rate, like economy 7, that's why I was asking what kind of meter you have.

What tariff is your electricity bill on?

gabyjane

Ah i see..we put the heating on as and when with our thermostat so there is no timed circuit as far as im aware. Elec wise i have no idea as it is the only bill dh sorted out so will ask him shortly!Thanks

ormus

theres usually two meters if off peak electric storage heating is installed.
easy enough to check which circuit that (FCU) fitting is on. pull the fuse for the ring main, and see if that FCU is still live or not.

keith969

Its hard to say what this could be for, I have a few of these in the kitchen and they switch the applicances (washing machine, dishwasher, fridge) that are plugged into sockets under the worktop and thus inaccessible normally.

You could unscrew the face plate and take a look at the wiring - is there anything connected to the switched side? If there isn't, you can replace it with a socket; if there is, then without knowing exactly what its connected to, it would be best to leave it alone.

Inactive

They are almost certainly " Off Peak " switched outlets, designed for storage heaters.

If connected to an Off Peak Meter, they will only become live overnight.