Fitting Sockets.

[Ray Pooley]

I guess you could file this under hints and tips.

When you're installing a socket the worst part, for me at least, is pushing it into place
and keeping it there while you tighten the screws. That means bending the cables,
however many there are. It can be quite a feat of strength and and a bit nerve racking.
I have actually cracked a few new sockets in the past and had to replace again.
I use pointed nose pliars to bend them but it's still a pain and a struggle.

What do you guys do? Is there a special pair of pliars available for this purpose?
Bending the cables? I did see something on the net a while ago but can't find it now.
Should have bought one when I saw it I suppose.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

 

[Ray Pooley]

As I wrote initially I did see a pair of pliars on the net some time ago.
It had one jaw that was basically round and tapered and the other was
U shaped that the tapered on went into. The idea being that you could
put a bend in a cable without stressing out the insulation too much.
Once teh bend is in the cable it woud be easy to push the plate back.
Has anyone seen this?

 

[Ray Pooley]

Tip, dress them in the back of the box before screwing them up.

I got thick fingers. Got to get them in there to hold the cables in the terminals
while tightening them up.

 

[7029 dave]

I got thick fingers. Got to get them in there to hold the cables in the terminals
while tightening them up.

You terminate the conductor's first then dress them back into the box, then screw up.

 

[Mike Johnson]

It is much easier with singles in conduit, you can loose a few inches of cable back up the conduit. ?

 

[James]

I seldom have a choice as to cable length and I am not inclined to shorten them but rather leave them be.
Cables that are too short can be equally troublesome. What did you use to bend the cables? So as to avoid having to put pressure on the plate. I guess is my question.

I always use the mark 1.0 finger and thumb combination for forming small cables like that, anything else is likely to damage them.

 

[Cagethethird]

There is always this thing, designed in and for the American Market but it may be useful.

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[littlespark]

Something I’ve done since an apprentice (so I was probably told to by the experienced tradesman) is to terminate only the live and neutrals and press the socket back, with the sleeved earths just pulled straight up out between the box and socket.
This gives the L and N a tidy bend. And the earths can be added afterward easily as they’re thinner.

 

[Ray Pooley]

Something I’ve done since an apprentice (so I was probably told to by the experienced tradesman) is to terminate only the live and neutrals and press the socket back, with the sleeved earths just pulled straight up out between the box and socket.
This gives the L and N a tidy bend. And the earths can be added afterward easily as they’re thinner.

A tidy bend. Good description.

 

[littlespark]

A tidy bend. Good description.

Couldn’t think of another way to word it....

 

[brianmoooore]

When fitting a 2G box, always bring the cables in the extreme LH or extreme RH knockout on the top or bottom of the box, never the middle one (or two, depending on make o box). Sweep the prepared tails all the way across to the other side of the box, then back to the middle to connect to the socket.
No sharp bends anywhere, and no trouble screwing the socket back.

 

[Pete999]

When fitting a 2G box, always bring the cables in the extreme LH or extreme RH knockout on the top or bottom of the box, never the middle one (or two, depending on make o box). Sweep the prepared tails all the way across to the other side of the box, then back to the middle to connect to the socket.
No sharp bends anywhere, and no trouble screwing the socket back.

Unless you use an impact driver ?

 

[Deleted account]

I make a little conseteena with the cables so when I push the socket closed they fold in on themselves.

sorry about the spelling of conseteena. Spell check didnt kick in.

 

[Dartlec]

There is always this thing, designed in and for the American Market but it may be useful.

VOLTCLAW-12 Nonconductive Electrical Wire Pliers : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop VOLTCLAW-12 Nonconductive Electrical Wire Pliers. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

That looks like it might actually be useful in consumer units when trying to snag wires out for testing - though might be too big to be practical - (was actually looking at plastic crochet hooks the other day as a possible option).

For sockets, rubbing the wires vigorously can help them to bend a little easier, especially if it's chilly.

Helps to have a good socket with sensible terminal placements too of course - the LAP (possibly some other brands too?) with L N terminals at the bottom are a right pain. Client/friend recently bought a load and I made him put them all on himself as penance (then inspected and corrected as needed).

 

[Zerax]

I think this is a classic example of experience. The more you do it, the more you'll know the ideal amount of cable to leave, the ideal entry point and the ideal bending.

Practice, practice, practice...

 

[littlespark]

I make a little conseteena with the cables so when I push the socket closed they fold in on themselves.

sorry about the spelling of conseteena. Spell check didnt kick in.

“Concertina”

you can thank me later