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Removing electric fireplace / installing new socket?
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housebuyer143 said:dil1976 said:housebuyer143 said:SecondStar said:First time solo-homeowner (got keys yesterday!), and feeling more than a little overwhelmed. Apologies if this is a stupid question.
I want to remove the big ugly eyesore or an electric fireplace from my living room, but the blooming thing is wired in, and electrics scare the pants off of me.
I turned off all the fuses and had a look under the cover. From these quick and dirty photos, does it look like an amateur could remove the wiring for the fireplace, and possible replace with a functional single socket? Or even a blank plate, as I do have plenty of sockets in that room?
It would be nice to know how to do things myself, and not always be the little woman who has to call a professional in for every tiny job.
YouTube will be your best friend and you will be surprised how many jobs you can do. Wiring a socket and switch are very easy. Just note which wires come out of were and wire them back in the same.grumbler said:The safest way to work is to switch off the big separate double swith on the left side of your CU.
Yes, if the fused switch (not socket) in the room operates the fire it's better to keep it swithched of.
Same with sockets and switches. Make sure they don't work before you take them apart.0 -
housebuyer143 said:dil1976 said:Simonon77 said:SecondStar said:As correctly guessed - local guy says it’d be £60 to replace with either a single socket or a blanking plate.
Will go and find some YouTube videos first, and then see how capable I’m feeling!
Switches if you wire incorrectly just don't work. They don't just burst into flames.1 -
They teach you to wire sockets in school... It's not hard. The most important thing is to ensure the wires are not live.
Switches if you wire incorrectly just don't work. They don't just burst into flames.
In the OP's case, I would disconnect the whole lot, including the fused spur which, if really needed, can be replaced with a single socket over by the dual gang. Anything else is just bodging a bodge job.
For £60, in the OPs case with little/no knowledge, it's cheaper than a fire or death by electric shock.Signature on holiday for two weeks2 -
Mutton_Geoff said:They teach you to wire sockets in school... It's not hard. The most important thing is to ensure the wires are not live.
Switches if you wire incorrectly just don't work. They don't just burst into flames.
For £60, in the OPs case with little/no knowledge, it's cheaper than a fire or death by electric shock.dil1976 said:housebuyer143 said:dil1976 said:Simonon77 said:SecondStar said:As correctly guessed - local guy says it’d be £60 to replace with either a single socket or a blanking plate.
Will go and find some YouTube videos first, and then see how capable I’m feeling!
Switches if you wire incorrectly just don't work. They don't just burst into flames.
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OP - put all of these negative posts out of your head. It is straightforward and you can do it. Just take your time, make sure the power is off and avoid interruptions.0
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grumbler said:
ETA: you don't even need a new plate and a terminal block. Just disconnect the fireplace and screw the existing plate back.I wouldn't do that before remaking the neutral connection. Or preferably remaking all the connections because it looks like the previous person working on this fitting didn't know what they were doing.The professional approach would also involve some testing to make sure all was wired correctly and safely - rather than leaving a nasty surprise for the next victim person.grumbler said:The safest way to work is to switch off the big separate double swith on the left side of your CU.
Yes, if the fused switch (not socket) in the room operates the fire it's better to keep it swithched of.That would be a long way short of being the "safest" way to work. It doesn't exclude the possibility this circuit is energised from a different consumer unit.It isn't safe to work on an unfamiliar installation without testing to prove dead.This is why it is worth paying someone who knows what they are doing £60. Not much more than the cost of the equipment and materials to do the job safely. Much cheaper than a funeral.2 -
Troytempest said:OP - put all of these negative posts out of your head. It is straightforward and you can do it. Just take your time, make sure the power is off and avoid interruptions.
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housebuyer143 said:dil1976 said:
Same with sockets and switches. Make sure they don't work before you take them apart.Checking the fire is off doesn't exclude the possibility the fire is faulty, or a cable fault, or a blown fuse downstream of the point you intend to work on."Easy" is not the same as "safe".In this case we can clearly see one fault in the way this has been wired. It is essential to work on the basis there could be others.2 -
Gosh, I didn’t expect half this response this morning - presumed everyone would be watching the coronation or similar 😂
I’ve been suitably terrified enough to get back in touch with the nice professional and swap him £60 for what is probably a 5 minute job.
In the meantime, I’ve moved on to my washer/drier, which needs longer inlet & drain hoses installed. The inlet hose seems easy, but the drain hose has me stumped.
Appreciate any ideas on installing a longer drain hose - at least it won’t electrocute me!‘When you only have two pennies left in the world, spend one on bread and the other on flowers. The bread will sustain life, the flowers will give you a reason to live.’Frugal living in 2024.
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