Is there a standard plug faceplate size?

greensalad

Couple of nights ago I had friends staying and one had plugged their phone to charge in a dual wall socket in our hallway.

I went to the loo in the middle of the night and tripped over the wire for their phone (no clue it was there) and ripped the charger out of the socket with my leg. I didn't damage their charger, but I snapped the plastic around two of the pins on the plug. We've stuck cable tape over it for now to try and keep it safe from our kitten as we don't want him sticking his nose in it.

Now I need to replace the faceplate but I'm unsure if they're just a standard size. Ideally I'd just be able to unscrew the broken faceplate and screw in a new one, but I'm struggling to find one that fits my measurements taken.

This is a rented house, and I'd rather not bother the landlord with it, but I'd also rather not have to take apart the whole thing if I can avoid it.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

they are a standard size.



What size is your one?

stator

They are a standard size and most will fit, but you may find the bevelled or rounded edges don't always line up completely with the backbox/pattress box (unless it's flush mounted).
Measure the distance between the screws, it should always be the same

molerat

They are a standard fit but not all the same exact size and may leave an unfinished paint edge around them. Are you happy with turning off the electrics and connecting up the socket correctly and safely ?

greensalad

molerat wrote: »

They are a standard fit but not all the same exact size and may leave an unfinished paint edge around them. Are you happy with turning off the electrics and connecting up the socket correctly and safely ?

Yep I'm happy enough with it. School DT lessons did pretty well for me! I admit I haven't done this particular task before but I have rewired plugs.

The only thing I'm not too sure on (until I open it up) is whether the wires are standardised or they may be coloured differently, as the house is old. However the current face plate looks fairly modern (I know it's silly but pre-80s switches and such I've had in my house seem to look more rounded? I might be going mad) so I think it's new and will have the wire colours I know.

stator

There are two standard wiring conventions.
Even if the faceplate has been replaced the wires may be old.
It's only recently they adopted the new system for wiring the ringmain to match the standard plug wiring you're used to.
Check the connections on the old faceplate match the colours you are expecting.
If it isn't the new system or the old system then call an electrician.

dominoman

Top tip...

When you take the faceplate off (after cutting the electricity and double checking it is off), first take a photo of where the current wires are.

So many times I have been sure I remembered which wires went where, and 5 minutes later Oh no...

A photo can be a lifesaver.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Yes, always take a photo, though once you've established the wiring system its not that hard a job - in fact the trickiest thing about wiring a plug socket is making sure the wires are dressed neatly so you can re-fit the socket without them getting in the way (they may already be dressed neatly but then you get a new socket and it has the L/N the other way around and you need to re-dress them!). Make sure you have screwed the connections down firmly and that they don't come loose when you re-fit the socket.

getmore4less

The positions of the LNE may have changed from where they are on the old faceplate so check what they are marked as not just where they are.

Most seem the be easier wire now as you get access from the top facing out bottom towards the wall

Ectophile

Double check that you're shoving the wires into the correct holes. Don't assume the terminals are laid out the same on the old and new sockets.

Over the years, the mounting screws have switched from imperial to metric threads. If the screws supplied with the new socket don't seem to want to screw in, don't force them. Use the ones off the old socket instead.