UK Upside Down UK Plug Socket - Is This Normal/Ok?

[Grimers]

Hi all,

Just recently moved into a renovated house in the UK where a desk is quite high, so the plug socket above it has had to be put in upside down! Other than a bad case of OCD, is this normal/ok?

Please see attached photo.

Cheers,

Will

 

[snowhead]

Cheap and cheerfull option, turn the socket the right way around,
then use one (or 2) of the below, it has to have the plug low down and side sockets sideways, not all do have.
This one is from Toolstation.

 

[littlespark]

Bloody hate those cubes.

Rather use a 4 way adapter that can be hung on the wall.

 

[loz2754]

If keeping the socket upside down, I recommended putting something under it to catch the electricity that falls out.

 

[Moley]

If keeping the socket upside down, I recommended putting something under it to catch the electricity that falls out.

No need to. It'll just form a puddle on the top of the desk. If the desk wasn't there then I agree that you would need something to catch it. I would use a plastic takeaway container. Don't use one of the foil ones as you could get a shock if you didn't ground it before emptying.

 

[DPG]

No need to. It'll just form a puddle on the top of the desk. If the desk wasn't there then I agree that you would need something to catch it. I would use a plastic takeaway container. Don't use one of the foil ones as you could get a shock if you didn't ground it before emptying.

Foil containers should be grounded anyway. Surprised you aren't aware of that.

 

[Grimers]

Joking aside (thanks I did LOL at some of the jokes). Is this really ok? I’m concerned that if we use it then there could be issues. I think the best thing is to cover it but not sure!

 

[pc1966]

Is this really ok? I’m concerned that if we use it then there could be issues.

Provided no cables are strained, etc, it is fine, just unconventional. FYI the sockets on some trains are that way for the same sort of reasons, just labelled to explain it!

If it worries you then a lower desk, or some spacer so it is not hard against the wall, would allow a conventional solution.

 

[Grimers]

Provided no cables are strained, etc, it is fine, just unconventional. FYI the sockets on some trains are that way for the same sort of reasons, just labelled to explain it!

If it worries you then a lower desk, or some spacer so it is not hard against the wall, would allow a conventional solution.

Thanks, unfortunately we can’t lower the desk as it’s fixed. We will sort it one way or another!

 

[westward10]

If the back box is metal you can replace it with a dual box and two one gang sockets, they will be on their sides but not upside down.

 

[Grimers]

If the back box is metal you can replace it with a dual box and two one gang sockets, they will be on their sides but not upside down.

Thank you also. Can you link to what this is? Sorry, I’m in the IT not electrical trade!

 

[pc1966]

Thank you also. Can you link to what this is? Sorry, I’m in the IT not electrical trade!

Metal Back Box

Adjustable fixed lug. BS4662.

www.toolstation.com

Then two single sockets on their (opposite) sides, linked through (probably you have cable in to one, link to next, out to rest)

Also please get a socket tester of some sort for any work!

 

[Grimers]

Metal Back Box

Adjustable fixed lug. BS4662.

www.toolstation.com

Then two single sockets on their (opposite) sides, linked through (probably you have cable in to one, link to next, out to rest)

Also please get a socket tester of some sort for any work!

Thanks. I definitely wouldn’t attempt anything other than rotating what’s currently there myself!

 

[pc1966]

Thanks. I definitely wouldn’t attempt anything other than rotating what’s currently there myself!

You will struggle. You have a double socket, that takes 2*single!

 

[Grimers]

Well, the socket seems to work fine and have actually found that there is less strain on the cables with the socket orientated this way. The socket is hidden by a PC monitor now, so at least we don't have to look at it!

 

[telectrix]

only problem could be that the electriccs leak down through grVITY TO THE EARTH PIN, THUS CAUSU=ING YOUR rcd TO TRIP.