Plug Sockets Behind Stacks Of Rockwool Slab Insulation.... Safe?

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barkymalarkey

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Hi all

Just wanted to run this by the experts and see whether it would be a problem....

I have a small home studio and in the corners there are stacks of "Rockwool" (it's actual Knauf Rocksilk RS60)that look something like this:

http://Plug sockets behind stacks of rockwool slab insulation.... Safe? Read more: http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-forum-general-electrical

See post #2.

In my room, there is a double socket behind the superchunk. So the socket has rockwool pressed up against it. Up until now I have put those plastic "baby safe" things in and not used the socket. But I have a use for them now. I was hoping to plug in a 4-way switchable extension.


Would it be ok to do this? Could heat or anything else I haven't thought of make it unsafe?

Many thanks

Max
 

 
Thanks for the quick response.

I know very little about such things (hence the forum post!).  But heat was the main thing that popped into my mind.  But then again I've never really known plugs to get hot.  Or is that because they are not usually smothered in insulation?!?!?!?! 

 
Link doesn't work Seagull.  

On the subject of the "babysafe blank things "  ...you don't need them ..they can bring problems .  Sockets to BS always have shutters over the peg holes, inserting a plastic thig opens them.  Also many "Babysafe" things can be turned upside down by a child , reinserted with the earth pin only leaving the "Live plug holes open . 

Throw them away ...waste of money .

Would have liked to see the pic before commenting on sockets covered in Rockwool , difficullt to imagine .

 
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Also those plug in safety jobbies have been banned in a load of places as they can knacker the socket ( apparently)

They stay in the socket by being slightly oversized so they can in some situations weaken the socket contacts...just saying!

Plus what big bruv said above as we are typing at the same time BUT in different rooms

 
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Oops, sorry about that.  Here's the link again:

http://http://www.gearslutz.com/board/bass-traps-acoustic-panels-foam-etc/666557-my-diy-superchunks-plus-soffit-corner-traps-pics.html

With regard the baby things, thanks for the heads up.  I'll stop using them....  I thought they would be a good idea to keep the dust and stuff out of the sockets (from the rockwool, and for the fact that they are not accessible and cannot be cleaned).  But then I guess if they have the shutters then this should not be a problem in any case.   

Thanks for all the super quick and helpful replies.

 
Having eventually seen your link (correct link is here http://www.gearslutz.com/board/bass-traps-acoustic-panels-foam-etc/666557-my-diy-superchunks-plus-soffit-corner-traps-pics.html) I now know what you re talking about.

No, don't use a socket burried behind that lot, it will overheat. there's bound to be insulation in the wall as well, so it will be totally surounded.

Instead get an electrician to move the sockets along the wall a bit so they are next to the insulation block, not behind it.

 
Not sure how I keep messing that link up!  Thanks ProDave for giving the correct link....

Thanks also for all the advice...  I think I'll leave it unused rather than have it moved (expense and hassle).  It's not essential and I have other options.  

But while I'm here I'll just double check that it is ok for the sockets to be there as they are now with nothing plugged into them and switched off??

Cheers

 
I presume this is acoustic insulation for a studio of some sort? not thermal insulation.

So could you not introduce a small space between the wall and insulation stack:?

If I'm understanding it's purpose, it's to stop reverberation and reflections of sound, so it's really only the front face of the stack that's important, and I can't see an air gap down the back would upset it's acoustic properties.

 
@Steve3948.  As others have said, all the insulation is used for acoustic treatment in a recording studio control room. 

@ProDave. There are two main types of acoustic treatment required in these kinds of set ups. One to stop the reflections (and tame reverberation) of the higher frequencies, and the other to absorb lower frequencies so that a room will sound more neutral in its bass response.  The "superchunks" are there to tackle these lower frequencies.  When using these types of products depth is directly related to frequency.  The deeper the traps, the lower they will absorb. 

That being said, I don't think a small cage or similar around the socket area would hurt acoustically. And if this "cage" carried through to the room it would maybe help to give the necessary air flow.  

OTOH, like I said, it is not essential that I need to use it so it can remain unused if it needs to be.   

Well I couldn't see the point of the triangular insulated  set up in the corners TBH   And couldn't see any sockets either .    What was the point of the exercise.?  
I guess unless you have researched or studied room acoustics, sound theory, etc. then you are unlikely to understand it.  Hopefully the above will help a little.  If you are interested in the topic, try googling "superchunks" or "bass traps" for more info.  Or let me know and I'll get some links (which will hopefully work this time!).  

The pics I (tried to) link to are not of my room.  They were just given as a visual example of what a superchunk is.  In my room, rest assured that there is a double socket behind the rockwool/superchunk.

The point of the exercise was to find out if it would be safe to use those sockets to plugs in electrical items given the circumstances.  And I'm glad I asked because the answer seems to be a pretty firm no. 

Thanks for all the replies.

 
LOL!  You have presumably never looked into this topic.  Room acoustics is a science.  And I would put a lot of money on the fact that every album you (or pretty much any one else on this forum) owns or has listened to would have been mixed and mastered in a room which has acoustic treatment. 

I'm totally with you on the Russ Andrews and a lot of the other snake oil sh!t that's out there.  

Room acoustics is a totally different thing though.

 
yep, I do agree on the acoustics thing,

Im glad you have the Russ Andrews angle covered  :D

yep, I once listened to one of my favourite tracks at a friends house that was only mildly into his acoustics, and boy did it sound so muuuuuuch better.,  :D

what about the riverside in Belfast,?

specially built for concerts and it has to be one of the worst acoustics venues in the UK, dunno if they got it sorted now though, but I remember at the time of building they were told about problems and the architects were adamant their design would be adhered to, frickin dimwits with their form over function, make it work right first, then make it look nice.

ps, I havent done the science on acoustics, but I have done a little bit of work involving them being adhered to in various scenarios.

 
Russ Andrews has the sockets in his " nanowank" range!

I wired a recording studio a long time ago. Arrived on site and said WTF Built this piece of ovine excreta? Did they not have a Fricking spirit level and only one eye?

There was not a single right angle in the room...then it was explained to me about reflections and stuff. It all made sense after that.

The music they produced was still shiiiiiiiiite though but...just saying

 
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