[Help] Calling NSC's Electricians

[happypig]

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]

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.

 

[Diablo]

Why not take plastic front off and clean ?

 

[B-right-on]

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.

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]

Why not take plastic front off and clean ?

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

 

[maresfield seagull]

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 :

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]

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

Don't think plasterboard had been invented then.

 

[Bold Seagull]

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 :

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.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

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)

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]

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]

Don't think plasterboard had been invented then.

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

 

[BN9 BHA]

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 :

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

 

[happypig]

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.

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

 

[GOM]

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

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