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

Inactive

gabyjane wrote: »

Would it have 2 screens then is that what your saying? if so no it has one..well ive only ever given one reading anyway..i have had a toddler here this morning a poorly kitten to sort out and a fridge being delivered and having to sort that out..it isn't that close to hand so it takes a while!

My Economy 7 meter has a reading that changes about once a minute, giving two different readings.

It sounds like yours is not an Economy 7 meter from what you are saying.

macman

Yes, that means you are not on an Economy 7 tariff. But that doesn't preclude the house being wired for a storage heater circuit, but then no E7 was installed.

Inactive

macman wrote: »

Yes, that means you are not on an Economy 7 tariff. But that doesn't preclude the house being wired for a storage heater circuit, but then no E7 was installed.

Agreed, good point

muckybutt

Poor op has had all sorts of answers on this thread she mush be completely bamboosled by all of these.

So speaking from an electricians point of view, first turn all the breakers in the fuse board off except for the lighting circuits ( so dh can see what he's doing ), then take the front of the fused connection unit off, as stated elsewhere in the thread there will be several terminals in the back, look for the supply terminals, there should be brown and blue wires in the supply terminals, if there are two of them then it would probably suggest that the outlet is on a ring circuit and is easily changed to a single socket, however if there is only one cable coming in then it was probably installed for something that hasnt been used, most likely it would be live with the power switched on and again could easily be changed for a single socket.
I never recommend using a electric tester screwdriver, always use a proper electrical voltage tester or get a sparky to do it for you, I cant see the house builder wiring for storage rads if they were never to be installed, I have however seen fcu's installed in hallways top and bottom for stairlifts even in new builds but im not going down the speculation route.

If you or your dh is in anyway unsure what to do either pm me or get a sparky in to do it for you.

phill99

Well done muckybutt. At last some one is talking sense. There is no way that a builder (the house being 2 years old) would install GCH and wire it for storage heaters as well. They just wouldn't go to that expense. The people rattling on about damn storage heaters are talking absolute rubbish. I agree with you that it may be a Fused spur for a potential stair lift.

andrew-b

It may be a fused spur for pretty much anything! But the storage heaters is barking up the wrong tree IMHO. Having lived or stayed in properties with them in the past, many e7 storage heaters (not much point having any other sort) have two electrical inputs - one for night time storage and one for a manual override the rest of the time.

Incidentally i'm not convinced muckybutt's advice is safe despite his trade...surely it's better to do this in daylight when the lighting circuit can be turned off too?

My theory is it's there for provision of an outside socket (lawnmower, christmas lights etc) that may not have been installed..but again it's speculation! Will never know until the cover comes off whether it's connected to anything. If unsure or any doubts about messing with it then either find a friend/family member who does or get an electrician in ..safety first.

gabyjane

Thanks for the replys. A stairlift has made me think thats what its for..the flat opposite has one (well just had it taken out) so more than likely that. SO!! if it is how does that affect us putting a socket on the outside?
Thanks

macman

If it's a stairlift, then it's probably just wired to the ring main, so you can use it as a normal power socket by changing the unit over. That is assuming it has been wired back all the way, you need to take the FCU cover off to determine this as already advised.
If some of these houses are designed for elderly people that would explain why they are pre-wired this way.

Inactive

andrew-b wrote: »

It may be a fused spur for pretty much anything! But the storage heaters is barking up the wrong tree IMHO. Having lived or stayed in properties with them in the past, many e7 storage heaters (not much point having any other sort) have two electrical inputs - one for night time storage and one for a manual override the rest of the time.
.

Mine don't have two inputs, they have one each which is exactly the same switched outlets that the OP has in the photographs.

Surely the OP can contact the builder as suggested earlier to be absolutely certain.

edgex

if the property is only 2 years old, ask the builder
they would have to know what they planned & built