Spacing between clusters of sockets and switches

BigReno · Oct 27, 2019

Evening, is there a standard gap to put between clusters of sockets and light switches? Eg if you have a couple of double sockets, a tv socket and a lamp socket grouped together, how much of a gap would you put between them.
Also if you had few light switches grouped together what sort of gap would you put between them?

Robson689 · Oct 27, 2019

Think it's purely a design decision - the ones in my house are tight together (2 doubles + tv) but in the last place I rented they were stacked with a 5mm ish gap

davesparks · Oct 27, 2019

You used to be able to get metal joiners to couple metal backboxes tigether at the right spacing for standard accessories to fit next to each other.

This doesn't alway work for decorative plates which can be over standard size sometimes.

These days I use the depth of a box as my spacing between each box, for marking out you just turn a box sideways to get your spacing.

BigReno · Oct 27, 2019

davesparks said:
You used to be able to get metal joiners to couple metal backboxes tigether at the right spacing for standard accessories to fit next to each other.

This doesn't alway work for decorative plates which can be over standard size sometimes.

These days I use the depth of a box as my spacing between each box, for marking out you just turn a box sideways to get your spacing.

Thank you. I’m used to seeing spacing of a depth of a box, that makes sense to me.

My electrician/builder has created an inconsistent mess (see attached)

Baddegg · Oct 27, 2019

Depends on the wall type as well....you’ll struggle on cavity plaster board wall to get to close to each other,I’m with Dave turn the box sideways to mark out

fairlight · Oct 28, 2019

For standard white accessories a gap of exactly one inch between the centres of the fixing lug holes and the plates will butt together perfectly.
That's my default option unless there is a likelihood of flat plate accessories in the future.

h901 · Oct 28, 2019

Turning the box sideways is a good one. I use the length of a coupler, so around 35mm

littlespark · Oct 28, 2019

Last photo looks like a wall stud between boxes.
You can also get 2gang + 1gang dual boxes in metal or plasterboard versions.

And I think you could get a double row grid module switch for 6 dimmers.

telectrix · Oct 28, 2019

davesparks said:
You used to be able to get metal joiners to couple metal backboxes tigether at the right spacing for standard accessories to fit next to each other.

This doesn't alway work for decorative plates which can be over standard size sometimes.

These days I use the depth of a box as my spacing between each box, for marking out you just turn a box sideways to get your spacing.

you can still get plastic spacers. they clip in the knockouts. 2 sizes approx. 15mm and 25.mm

Andy78 · Oct 28, 2019

It completely depends on what has been agreed as it can be down to personal preference. If all those photos are from the same job then that's just appalling. You say your electrician/builder has done these. Which are they, because it's very unusual to be both.

I personally use a galv coupler to space between, but as I say, it's personal preference.

BigReno · Oct 29, 2019

I've only ever seen gaps of about the depth of a back box so have been really surprised with what they've done but also the inconsistency.

All those photos are from the same job, in fact they are all in the same room!

The builder did the chasing in for the electrician. It looks absolutely awful and they're not even level or aligned. I'm being made to feel like I'm being picky!

Midwest · Oct 29, 2019

I used these for standard white accessories. They are sized so the faceplates are just touching (not all faceplates are the same size) or there’s a decorative gap between them;

Spacer Connect

spacerconnect.com

telectrix · Oct 29, 2019

Midwest said:
I used these for standard white accessories. They are sized so the faceplates are just touching (not all faceplates are the same size) or there’s a decorative gap between them;

Spacer Connect

spacerconnect.com

them's what|I use. helps to level the boxes as well.

littlespark · Oct 29, 2019

You’re the customer! Not being picky to have things level

But the issue of spacing should have arisen before plastering and decorating

Dustydazzler · Oct 29, 2019

Is this a rewire ?

As above the slightly uneven spacing could be due to crumbling plaster and issue with making good.

Lining up 3 single switch boxes in old crumbliest brickwork is quite the challenge but can be done...

BigReno · Oct 29, 2019

Dustydazzler said:
Is this a rewire ?

As above the slightly uneven spacing could be due to crumbling plaster and issue with making good.

Lining up 3 single switch boxes in old crumbliest brickwork is quite the challenge but can be done...

The three double dimmer switches are in a brand new solid wall! The others are in brand new stud walls.

Spacing between clusters of sockets and switches

BigReno

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davesparks

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