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Disconnecting unused electrical socket and plastering over
Sharkford
Posts: 2 Newbie
Hi,
What's the easiest and safest way to disconnect an unused electrical socket and plaster over (without getting an electrician in)? We're putting a radiator over the socket so it needs to be removed.
Layman's terms would be appreciated, any instructional links would be greatly appreciated too!
Many thanks!
What's the easiest and safest way to disconnect an unused electrical socket and plaster over (without getting an electrician in)? We're putting a radiator over the socket so it needs to be removed.
Layman's terms would be appreciated, any instructional links would be greatly appreciated too!
Many thanks!
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Comments
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renegadefm wrote: »Buy a blank socket or junction box to connect the wires to. And chase out the wall deep enough for it to sit in. And simply plaster over the lot.
No, no, and no.
Terminal blocks and junction boxes should never be buried - You'll get Risteard telling you to get a qualified electrician in.
Junction boxes (and terminal blocks) should remain accessible so they can be checked from time to time. Also makes life a hell of a lot easier should the length of cable need to be replaced.
If a radiator is being put over the top of an existing socket, fit a blanking plate over it. The radiator will hide the plate, and the terminal connectors can be accessed if/when needed.Any language construct that forces such insanity in this case should be abandoned without regrets. –
Erik Aronesty, 2014
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0 -
Given the way the original question was framed, in particular the final sentence, getting a qualified electrician would seem sensible in this case. I don't have much faith that the OP would be able to find any buried live cables when drilling holes in the wall to mount the radiator even if they were able to fit a cover plate over the socket, and anyone that needs "laymans terms" assistance simply shouldn't be doing anything involving mains wiring.No, no, and no.
Terminal blocks and junction boxes should never be buried - You'll get Risteard telling you to get a qualified electrician in.Proud member of the wokerati, though I don't eat tofu.Home is where my books are.Solar PV 5.2kWp system, SE facing, >1% shading, installed March 2019.Mortgage free July 20230 -
Why not just leave the socket where it is?0
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If a radiator is being put over the top of an existing socket, fit a blanking plate over it. The radiator will hide the plate, and the terminal connectors can be accessed if/when needed.
They will not be accessible with a radiator over the top of them.
Furthermore the radiator will lead to mutually detrimental influences - i.e. the source of heat will potentially cause melting/degradation of the blank plate. This would also be wholly inappropriate for its environment (and also not good workmanship). All of these are breaches of BS7671 (the IEE Wiring Regulations).
The answer would be to remove the wiring if a blank plate cannot be fitted in an accessible position (and certainly not plastered over).0 -
renegadefm wrote: »Buy a blank socket or junction box to connect the wires to. And chase out the wall deep enough for it to sit in. And simply plaster over the lot.
Please ignore this it is another incorrect and dangerous post by this poster.
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renegadefm wrote: »Buy a blank socket or junction box to connect the wires to. And chase out the wall deep enough for it to sit in. And simply plaster over the lot.
You cant teach stupidNever, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.0 -
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Hi,
What's the easiest and safest way to disconnect an unused electrical socket and plaster over (without getting an electrician in)? We're putting a radiator over the socket so it needs to be removed.
Layman's terms would be appreciated, any instructional links would be greatly appreciated too!
Many thanks!
Why does it need to be removed? Have seen many sockets still installed behind radiators. No problem from any heat etc.
If it is a ring circuit with live, neutral, earth in and out? two cables, then all wires still have to be connected correctly. to connect with a face plate is exactly the same as leaving it alone.
If only cable there is a single live, neutral and earth? then look at adjacent sockets for 3 cables to find out if it is a spur.
Disconnect one at a time until socket at radiator site does not work. Leave disconnected and radiator socket can be plastered over.
Turn of electric at mains if you are opening up or working on sockets.
My opinion in this post with your DIY question, is that you get a fully qualified electrician in.The world is not ruined by the wickedness of the wicked, but by the weakness of the good. Napoleon0 -
Not an end.
Can you be more specific than just "BS7671"? This reminds me popular references to the notorious Data Protection Act.
And yes, I'll be happy to stand corrected.0
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