Remove socket and make wire safe for future use

lucas20042004

Hi all,

I have a double socket in my conservatory. I’m going to be demolishing it so need to remove the socket. But I’d like to keep the wiring in case we get an extension in its place in the future.

The socket is on the end of a radial circuit, the wire is trunked down the wall from the loft.

Can I simply take the socket off, pull the wire back into the loft and safely terminate it with something?

Thanks

markin

Plastic ip65 box if you pull it into the loft, or fit an outside socket, with built in rcd if needed.

Ectophile

You'd need to terminate the wire in a proper terminal block to ensure that nothing can touch the wires, and they can't short together.  You could use a traditional plastic junction box with screw terminals.  Or maybe a Wagobox with three Wago terminals inside.

When it's done, you should only see the outer sheath of the wire outside the box.  The individual ends of the wires should be inside the box.

casper_gutman

markin said:

Plastic ip65 box if you pull it into the loft, or fit an outside socket, with built in rcd if needed.

I've not come across a requirement for electrical accessories in the loft to be IP-rated before. My own has numerous junction boxes etc. for the upstairs lighting and they aren't waterproof. Without wanting to drag the discussion off topic, has there been a recent change in rules, or is this more of a "best practice" issue? 

jonnydeppiwish!

Wago connections to terminate, though as others have said, an outside socket covers all bases and probably cost the same