[Help] Calling NSC's Electricians

happypig

Staring at the rude boys

May 23, 2009

7,955

Eastbourne

• Oct 22, 2020

• #1

My son has a couple of sockets in his flat that have 4 screws (2 at the tope, 2 at the bottom) holding it on rather than one screw either side.

Can anyone tell me what these are called and whether I can get replacements rather than changing the back boxes ?

These are the things :

 

schmunk

"Members"

Jan 19, 2018

9,476

Mid mid mid Sussex

• Oct 22, 2020

• #2

Not a sparky, but they are very old and I doubt you'll be able to find similar new. Change the backbox - it's a literal two minute job.

 

D

Diablo

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Sep 22, 2014

4,184

lewes

• Oct 22, 2020

• #3

Why not take plastic front off and clean ?

 

B-right-on

Living the dream

Apr 23, 2015

6,171

Shoreham Beaaaach

• Oct 22, 2020

• #4

schmunk said:

Not a sparky, but they are very old and I doubt you'll be able to find similar new. Change the backbox - it's a literal two minute job.

Click to expand...

2 mins?. Heard that b4. Have you ever had to dig out an old metal back box from a wall without destroying the wall around it to get a new one in? can be a right b*tch.

OP - I have never seen those before. Better to get the back box replaced (2 mins job apparently)

 

Weststander

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Aug 25, 2011

63,872

Withdean area

• Oct 22, 2020

• #5

Diablo said:

Why not take plastic front off and clean ?

Click to expand...

The son’s an adult. He’ll sort this out without Dad.

 

maresfield seagull

Well-known member

May 23, 2006

2,245

• Oct 22, 2020

• #6

happypig said:

My son has a couple of sockets in his flat that have 4 screws (2 at the tope, 2 at the bottom) holding it on rather than one screw either side.

Can anyone tell me what these are called and whether I can get replacements rather than changing the back boxes ?

These are the things :

Click to expand...

They do look rather ancient
Can you post a picture of the fuse board ?
It may give an idea of how old the sockets are ?

Unless the wall the sockets are on is plasterboard / dry lining
Changing the back box over will take a bit of work to do

 

SIMMO SAYS

Well-known member

Jul 31, 2012

11,712

Incommunicado

• Oct 22, 2020

• #7

maresfield seagull said:

They do look rather ancient
Can you post a picture of the fuse board ?
It may give an idea of how old the sockets are ?

Unless the wall the sockets are on is plasterboard / dry lining
Changing the back box over will take a bit of work to do

Click to expand...

Don't think plasterboard had been invented then.

 

Bold Seagull

strong and stable with me, or...

Mar 18, 2010

29,761

Hove

• Oct 22, 2020

• #8

happypig said:

My son has a couple of sockets in his flat that have 4 screws (2 at the tope, 2 at the bottom) holding it on rather than one screw either side.

Can anyone tell me what these are called and whether I can get replacements rather than changing the back boxes ?

These are the things :

Click to expand...

I’ve got loads of them in a box! PM and I can send you details. In some cases I have the whole back box too.

 

D

Deleted member 2719

Guest

• Oct 22, 2020

• #9

B-right-on said:

2 mins?. Heard that b4. Have you ever had to dig out an old metal back box from a wall without destroying the wall around it to get a new one in? can be a right b*tch.

OP - I have never seen those before. Better to get the back box replaced (2 mins job apparently)

Click to expand...

I am no sparky either, please quantify destroying Do you use a.................





Drilling a small masonry bit around it and it should pop out.

Whack a bit of filler if need be on replacing, job done.

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,286

• Oct 22, 2020

• #10

having done a few refurbs as a sparks assistant, cant say i've seen them before. 60's era, dont think your'll find them outside ebay or antique shops? which is a shame as i rather like the switches

fortuoitously, this ad on ebay for a single gang features a catalogue from the time. may be the seller can give some more info.

 

maresfield seagull

Well-known member

May 23, 2006

2,245

• Oct 22, 2020

• #11

SIMMO SAYS said:

Don't think plasterboard had been invented then.

Click to expand...

That’s why I asked to see the fuse board
Fully expecting another item for the antiques road show

 

BN9 BHA

DOCKERS

NSC Patron

Jul 14, 2013

21,520

Newhaven

• Oct 22, 2020

• #12

happypig said:

My son has a couple of sockets in his flat that have 4 screws (2 at the tope, 2 at the bottom) holding it on rather than one screw either side.

Can anyone tell me what these are called and whether I can get replacements rather than changing the back boxes ?

These are the things :

Click to expand...

The 60s have just called, they would like their electrical sockets back.

 

happypig

Staring at the rude boys

May 23, 2009

7,955

Eastbourne

• Oct 23, 2020

• Thread starter
• #13

Bold Seagull said:

I’ve got loads of them in a box! PM and I can send you details. In some cases I have the whole back box too.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer but we want to replace with something a bit newer.

 

GOM

living vicariously

Aug 8, 2005

3,223

Leeds - but not the dirty bit

• Oct 23, 2020

• #14

happypig said:

Thanks for the offer but we want to replace with something a bit newer.

Click to expand...

So replace, the old one's become irrelevant surely.