Advice Please, replacing a double wall socket, can I just switch off the mains power

muirbabe

Hi,
I wonder if someone could advise me?

I want to replace a faulty double socket on my kitchen wall, can I just switch off the mains power and replace it or do i have to do anything about the central heating boiler which is situated upstairs in a bedroom and is quite unconnected.

I am sorry if I am asking this in the wrong place and it being a stupid question:o

Thanks very much,

muirbabe

Skinto_7

Muirbabe,

Not sure what you mean by faulty?

If it is just the socket cover that is cracked or needs replacing, then you can turn the mains power off, unscrew and fit a new socket cover. The position of your central heating boiler makes no difference.

If its an actual electrical fault, then your best getting a sparky to look at it.

googler

If you switch off the whole house from the master switch, the boiler will go off at that time, as it needs electrical power for the pump and control circuitry.

If you disable the ring main that the power socket is on, either by removing the fuse for that circuit, or switching off the MCB (circuit breaker) for it, and the boiler is on a separate circuit, the boiler will continue to operate and you can work on the socket safely. If the boiler is on the same circuit, you can't disable the socket without the boiler going off too

Test that you've disabled the circuit before working on it, with a multimeter or test lamp. Don't rely on labels on the fuse box/consumer unit being correct, especially in an older house. If they are wrong, change them for the benefit of yourself and future owners.

robmar0se

For the kitchen ring circuit, just remove the fuse, or trip the relevant switch in the consumer box.

JimmyTheWig

googler wrote: »

Test that you've disabled the circuit before working on it, with a multimeter or test lamp. Don't rely on labels on the fuse box/consumer unit being correct, especially in an older house. If they are wrong, change them for the benefit of yourself and future owners.

This is important.
If you are unable to test (e.g. because the existing socket is faulty!) then turn the power off to the whole house.

bazster

It's in your kitchen so to comply with the law you need to either get a qualified electrician to do it or get your local authority to inspect the job afterwards (more expensive than an electrician!)

Stupid I know, but that's the law.

Howsoever, if you decide to stick two fingers up at the law, make absolutely certain that you switch off the correct circuit, and if in doubt switch off the entire house. Make no assumptions! I replaced a downstairs socket recently after turning off the downstairs main. It was only when my screwdriver and I flew across the room that I knew this particular socket had been wired into the upstairs main (by a qualified electrician...)

JimmyTheWig

bazster wrote: »

It's in your kitchen so to comply with the law you need to either get a qualified electrician to do it or get your local authority to inspect the job afterwards (more expensive than an electrician!)

Is that true if they are just replacing like for like?

macman

A straightforward socket replacement does not come under Part P Building Regs, whether in the kitchen or elsewhere.
However, the fact that you need to ask what to turn off indicates that you are not competent to carry out such electrical work.

Farway

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Is that true if they are just replacing like for like?

No, not true
http://electrical.theiet.org/building-regulations/part-p/faqs.cfm about 3/4 way down

Q5: What types of electrical work are 'non-notifiable'?

The following types of work are non-notifiable:

• Replacing accessories such as socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling roses

muirbabe

Hi,

Thank you for all your replies.

Previous to having central heating installed last year, I would do very simple electrical jobs myself by switching off the electric completely at the main switch beforehand.

Can I still just do that in this case?

And forget all about the central heating boiler which is switched off for the summer? Or am I required to do something to the CH boiler in the event of switching off the mains power to it? That is my main question.

I am not confident about identifying individual circuits so would prefer to just switch off electric completely.

Regarding the socket, one half is working fine and I am almost certain that a simple replacement will get the other half working.

Thanks again for all your help and advice.
muirbabe

Figment

You shouldn't need to do anything to the boiler. If it has a clock/timer, just check it's showing the correct time afterwards (it ought to have a battery but just to be sure)