Wiring a new 2 gang socket

[Roboticfrog]

Hi

I'm trying to wire a new 2 gang socket in to replace my old 1 gang socket. I have bought an external plastic pattress box to attach the new socket to. I will screw this pattress box to the wall, over the existing single socket metal back box that is embedded in the wall. The existing wiring is relatively old. It only has one earth cable. My new 2 gang socket has 2 earth ports. Also, my new external pattress box has a port for an earth cable. Where should I be attaching my earth cable to? Do I need to alter the wiring?

Thanks for any help you can give

 

[SparkyChick]

Can you send a picture of the existing socket, showing the cable please?

My gut feeling is it is a spur and will have only one earth connection. The second earth connection on the socket is used in other situations.

 

[buzzlightyear]

on the single socket has it one cable .if yes then put the earth tail on one of the earth terminals only.on the new socket front. pic would be nice to help you .

 

[Roboticfrog]

Thanks for your replies. I have attached pictures of the old socket wiring, the new socket and the pattress box. Hopefully these are helpful.

 

[Andy-1960]

Looks like the earth is oversleeved, there should be two inside the sleeving.

 

[Roboticfrog]

Yes, there are 2 inside the sleeve

 

[Andy-1960]

Just terminate the earth into one of the earth connections on the back of the new socket

 

[buzzlightyear]

take out all tails from old socket and to new socket , has for the earths twist them to
gather so you will not lose any of earth tails .

 

[Roboticfrog]

So should I just connect the earth cable to one of the earth ports on the new socket? And leave the other port empty? And I also don't need to worry about connecting the earth port on the pattress box to anything?

 

[JohnnyRingmain]

So should I just connect the earth cable to one of the earth ports on the new socket? And leave the other port empty? And I also don't need to worry about connecting the earth port on the pattress box to anything?

Yes and yes.

 

[Des 56]

So should I just connect the earth cable to one of the earth ports on the new socket? And leave the other port empty?


It would be wise to loop a earth from there to the existing metal box which is recessed in your wall

 

[westward10]

It would be a requirement to do this.

 

[Roboticfrog]

So should I just connect the earth cable to one of the earth ports on the new socket? And leave the other port empty?


It would be wise to loop a earth from there to the existing metal box which is recessed in your wall

So, just to confirm, I should wire the new socket in as normal using just one of the earth ports for the existing earth cable. Then I should run a separate cable from the other earth port on the new socket back to the metal back box? And I can definitely ignore the earth port on the new plastic pattress box?

Thanks

 

[Pat H]

Correct. The earth terminal on the plastic Pattress only serves to secure the CPC (earth wires) and join them. The plastic box needs no earth.
So just treat the plastic box as a spacer.

 

[telectrix]

my question is "are the existing cables long enough to connect to the new socket?".

 

[Pat H]

Wago connectors in the original back box to extend new cables to the new face plate if needed.

 

[telectrix]

Wago connectors in the original back box to extend new cables to the new face plate if needed.

that's how i'd do it.

 

[westward10]

So, just to confirm, I should wire the new socket in as normal using just one of the earth ports for the existing earth cable. Then I should run a separate cable from the other earth port on the new socket back to the metal back box? And I can definitely ignore the earth port on the new plastic pattress box?

Thanks

Correct.

 

[Roboticfrog]

Correct.

Thanks for confirming.

This might be a stupid question, but what's the best way to attach the new cable from the socket to the back box?

 

[westward10]

Does it not have a small terminal on it.

 

[telectrix]

personally, i'd not bother earthing the back box. it's enclosed and untouchable.

 

[westward10]

Be touchable when someone knocks the new plastic surface box off the wall.

 

[Roboticfrog]

Does it not have a small terminal on it.

I can't see any terminal on the back box

 

[westward10]

Well you could use one of the old face plate fixing points with a small eyelet crimp.

 

[telectrix]

Be touchable when someone knocks the new plastic surface box off the wall.

party pooper.

 

[telectrix]

Well you could use one of the old face plate fixing points with a small eyelet crimp.

RuFF... RuFF.

 

[Midwest]

Too many questions for the OP to do this safely.

Call

 

[Anthony_wayne]

Too many questions for the OP to do this safely.

Call View attachment 36095

I'd agree....why not pay an electrician to come in and do a proper job, ensuring you and your family are not put at risk?

 

[Roboticfrog]

I'd agree....why not pay an electrician to come in and do a proper job, ensuring you and your family are not put at risk?

Because I'd rather not be charged £50 to have 3 wires connected for me. Now that it has been explained to me it seems very simple.

 

[Anthony_wayne]

Because I'd rather not be charged £50 to have 3 wires connected for me. Now that it has been explained to me it seems very simple.

So is connecting a gas fire....difference is you'll smell the gas before something goes wrong. Looking at the picture the installation is probably over 25 years old.

I guess each to their own, just make sure you isolate safely and pull test the conductors once connected. You would not believe the number of times I've taken a DIY socket of the wall and a conductor falls or has fallen out, meaning the installation may have been a fire hazard since installation. There's a lot more to it than just connecting of 3 wires.

 

[The_Wanderer]

The pattress you have looks like a deep 45mm, usually used for cooker/shower switches. You could use a shallower 25mm for a socket which would look neater on the wall.
Although id agree with the above, not being a straightforward swap id get a pro to come and sort it for you.