electrical

[mardavia]

how do i replce a double socket

[shylock73]

Sorry, but it is now illegal to replace electrical components unless you are a qualified electrician. Don`t attempt it, it`s not worth losing your life and perhaps others by chancing it

[ianmunt]

The previous answer is not strictly true,but if you need to ask then its not something you should attempt

[thundercrack]

you can replace a socket, no problem. I am assuming there is a double socket there at the moment, so:
switch off the power at the consumer unit. (then plug something into the socket to make sure it is dead)
undo the two scews holding the socket.
ease it out until the back of the socket is accessable.
undo the screws holding the cable ( should be three)
remove old socket
now fit the cables into the new socket.
L = the red or brown wire or wires.
N= the black or blue wires.
E= ( may be indicated with a sign like a fir tree) the green or yellow green wire or wires.
make sure connections are tight and the wires are definitely in the correct places. screw the socket back to the wall and thats it.
switch power on and test.
If you don't feel happy about doing it yourself, don't chance it, get someone in.
alf.

[buildersmate]

The first answer is not only "strictly untrue" - it is just plain wrong. Follow what Thundercrack suggests and you will be fine.

[dasherman]

I'm no expert but I thought if any work to be done is in the kitchen then you must get an electrian in to do it. Otherwise you can change a socket/switch in any other room of a house.

[buildersmate]

You can replace a socket, switch or ceiling rose even in a kitchen, provided there was one there already.
If you want to ADD a new socket to an EXISTING circuit, you can do that EXCEPT in the kitchen or outside (say, detached garage or garden shed).

[vivandorron]

Hey buildersmate.....What makes the kitchen so different to adding a spur socket to the ring main in any other part of the house. I would accept that the cooker should be on a seperate circuit, but other sockets for say boiling the Kettle or plugging- in the Toaster are probable on the same ring as the T.V in the lounge.........Happy New Year........Ron.

[raysparx1]

Hi vivandorron, any additional work, ie: extending circuits or alterations in rooms containing bath or sink must be carried out by registered sparkies, you can though rewire your house ior do the work yopurself if you notufy the council first, they will then arrange for it to be inspected and tested by an approved contractor, it will cost for the test though.hope that sort of makes it clear,Ray

[vivandorron]

Thanks Ray for clarifying the position.

I did put a spur socket in my kitchen; but that was about 35 years back. .....as it still seems o.k. , I'm not taking up the offers of my electical suppliers to have my house wiring checked. I have installed trip switches and are relying on them, with wiring which is more than 40yr old.

Ron

[shylock73]

Hey mardavia, you sho opened a hornets nest, but we have had some good advise and I still say don`t do it unless you really know how to wire a plug in the first place.

[shylock73]

Oh, and bye the way let`s know if you do it and that you are still around. Good luck.

[buildersmate]

Vivandorran
These Regs came in about 2004 and are not retrospective. So any electrical work before that was not constrained in the same way.
It all started when an MP with a bee on his bonnet raised a Private Members' Bill, after his daughter was electrocuted.