Changing sockets and switches

[RosieMo89]

Hi All, new on here so I am sorry if I am in the wrong place. I am in the middle of decorating at home and am keen to change the faceplate on my sockets and switches. They are currently plastic faceplates with a metal back box. 6 wires  2 live, 2 neutral and 2 earth. As I understand it, it’s a like for like change, so could do this myself as long as all the electrics are off. I will also test the socket when electrics off just to check all is ok.

My question is, does it matter that I am changing from plastic faceplates to metal? Will this make a difference in wiring it up if I already have a earth?

 

[ProDave]

Just be aware that some makes of decorative socket are really rubbish and can have really poor terminals.  Make absolutely sure you get both wires in each terminal properly secure, give each one a really good tug to make sure it won't pull out.

 

[Murdoch]

And to add please don’t be tempted by flat plate units because unless the back boxes are 35mm deep you will struggle to fit them ...

 

[ProDave]

And to add please don’t be tempted by flat plate units because unless the back boxes are 35mm deep you will struggle to fit them ...

AND if the plastering on the wall is not PERFECT they will look rubbish.

 

[RosieMo89]

Ok perfect. Thank you very much 

 

[Andy™]

dont forget to take an earth to the light switch face plate. often only connected to the backbox if its a plastic one

 

[Murdoch]

dont forget to take an earth to the light switch face plate. often only connected to the backbox if its a plastic one

assuming the lighting circuit has an earth - if your home is pre 1975 this may not be the case, and as such use of metal fittings isn't permitted

 

[roys]

assuming the lighting circuit has an earth - if your home is pre 1975 this may not be the case, and as such use of metal fittings isn't permitted

Didn’t know it was 1975 Murdoch, good shout. Of course if the installation is done in conduit and that is the earth path, and is still in good condition / effective then all should be good (once tested).

 

[Doc Hudson]

assuming the lighting circuit has an earth - if your home is pre 1975 this may not be the case, and as such use of metal fittings isn't permitted

Didn’t know it was 1975 Murdoch, good shout. Of course if the installation is done in conduit and that is the earth path, and is still in good condition / effective then all should be good (once tested).

It was 1966 when a CPC was required for lighting circuits.   See page 9 of Best Practice guide 1.  https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/2146/bpg1.pdf   However if you read the OP's original post there would appear to be CPC's present at this installation. So I suspect it not pre 1966.

Doc H.

 

[Andy™]

It was 1966 when a CPC was required for lighting circuits.   See page 9 of Best Practice guide 1.  https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/2146/bpg1.pdf   However if you read the OP's original post there would appear to be CPC's present at this installation. So I suspect it not pre 1966.

Doc H.

the wiring thats mentioned would appear to be for the sockets, not the lighting, so still questionable if there is a cpc on the lights or not. id hope there is

 

[Doc Hudson]

the wiring thats mentioned would appear to be for the sockets, not the lighting, so still questionable if there is a cpc on the lights or not. id hope there is

Yes, I mis-read that point.

Doc H.

 

[Bruspark]

the wiring thats mentioned would appear to be for the sockets, not the lighting, so still questionable if there is a cpc on the lights or not. id hope there is

And in that era having CPC and having actual Earthed CPC incl being properly joined together in the ceiling JB's  vs vaguely twisted outside were two entirely different things 

 

[Murdoch]

All I can add about the dates for CPCs in lighting circuits is that the mid 1970’s sticks in my mind

the estate we live on, the older part built in 1975 /76 does not all have cpcs (grey sheathed) and the newer part started in 1979 (white sheathed) does. Also the 1979 part has 2.5 mm / 1.0mm cable for the sockets

 

[Andy™]

All I can add about the dates for CPCs in lighting circuits is that the mid 1970’s sticks in my mind

the estate we live on, the older part built in 1975 /76 does not all have cpcs (grey sheathed) and the newer part started in 1979 (white sheathed) does. Also the 1979 part has 2.5 mm / 1.0mm cable for the sockets

there's a fair few places wired in 2.5/1... non complaint on a 3036 which they often are

 

[Murdoch]

there's a fair few places wired in 2.5/1... non complaint on a 3036 which they often are

but most of them meet Zs times so rarely do people notice the 1mm CPC

 

[Andy™]

but most of them meet Zs times so rarely do people notice the 1mm CPC

if youre doing an I&T and dont notice that is 2.5/1 instead of 2.5/1/5 on a 3036 then you shouldnt be doing it

 

[Murdoch]

if youre doing an I&T and dont notice that is 2.5/1 instead of 2.5/1/5 on a 3036 then you shouldn't be doing it

You're assuming that people take the cover off the CU and / or the sockets off the wall - which we both know doesn't always happen

 

[Andy™]

You're assuming that people take the cover off the CU and / or the sockets off the wall - which we both know doesn't always happen

well i am basing it on someone removing the CU cover and looking or at least a socket. not the 5DW who do it from their van, parked at greggs

 

[Murdoch]

well i am basing it on someone removing the CU cover and looking or at least a socket. not the 5DW who do it from their van, parked at greggs

Time served do that too ..

recently looking at a job where the estate agent said the cooker circuit didn’t have a cpc, the EICR stated otherwise.

the estate agent was correct. ....