Blanking a plug socket

strawb_shortcake

We are about to have a new radiator installed, where the radiator is going is an unused plug socket. 
Our plumber said to blank it off with a plate and use choc boxes for the wires. 
My Husband is happy to do this but is this all we really need to do? 
TIA

chrisw

What's wrong with just leaving it as it is, albeit inaccessible?

Or move it so you can still use it. Slightly more work but same principles.

FreeBear

We had this discussion not long back.... Screw terminal connectors should only be used where they can be accessed for maintenance, in all other situations, maintenance free connectors (such as Wago connectors) should be used. It is open to debate as to whether a blanked off wall box behind a radiator is accessible. Even without the debate, it would be preferable to trace the cables back and replace it with one continuous length, but that is additional work that would probably require floorboards to be lifted.

Homer_home

If you are going to be lifting floorboards to install the new rad and  the cables for the socket are in the floor , I would pull the cables from the socket into the floor and use a maintenance free connector such as Ashley j803 to join them up 

Then you can fill in the now dead socket - job done 

grumbler

FreeBear said:

... in all other situations, maintenance connectors (such as Wago connectors) should be used.

maintenance-FREE

Risteard

I wouldn't be happy with the blank plate (or socket-outlet) being behind a radiator. As well as accessibility, there is the issue of the heat source next to the outlet/plate.

It needs to be removed. I would flag this issue any time I came across it. It's not acceptable.

Risteard

FreeBear said:

We had this discussion not long back.... Screw terminal connectors should only be used where they can be accessed for maintenance, in all other situations, maintenance connectors (such as Wago connectors) should be used. It is open to debate as to whether a blanked off wall box behind a radiator is accessible. Even without the debate, it would be preferable to trace the cables back and replace it with one continuous length, but that is additional work that would probably require floorboards to be lifted.

Wago connectors are ONLY certified maintenace-free when used with a WagoBox, and installed in accordance with the requirements for their MF declaration (including being cable tied closed). At all other times they are NOT classified as maintenance-free.

grumbler

Risteard said:

I wouldn't be happy with the blank plate (or socket-outlet) being behind a radiator. As well as accessibility, there is the issue of the heat source next to the outlet/plate.

It needs to be removed. I would flag this issue any time I came across it. It's not acceptable.

Flag based on what? Can you quote any regulations?

"heat source" is a too vague term. Human body is a "heat source". So is any plug-in power supply and even a fuse in a plug.

Homer_home

grumbler said:

Risteard said:

I wouldn't be happy with the blank plate (or socket-outlet) being behind a radiator. As well as accessibility, there is the issue of the heat source next to the outlet/plate.

It needs to be removed. I would flag this issue any time I came across it. It's not acceptable.

Flag based on what? Can you quote any regulations?

"heat source" is a too vague term. Human body is a "heat source". So is any plug-in power supply and even a fuse in a plug.

Why do you insist on being so pedantic all the time ? 

Everybody else knows what he means except you apparently 

Homer_home

grumbler said:

FreeBear said:

... in all other situations, maintenance connectors (such as Wago connectors) should be used.

maintenance-FREE

Stop being so pedantic , everybody else on this forum clearly realised she missed a word out 

Risteard

grumbler said:

Risteard said:

I wouldn't be happy with the blank plate (or socket-outlet) being behind a radiator. As well as accessibility, there is the issue of the heat source next to the outlet/plate.

It needs to be removed. I would flag this issue any time I came across it. It's not acceptable.

Flag based on what? Can you quote any regulations?

"heat source" is a too vague term. Human body is a "heat source". So is any plug-in power supply and even a fuse in a plug.

I can quote plenty of Regulations, including those of good workmanship and of mutually detrimental influences. I could probably list about 10 Regulations to show that it's not OK.