Working with old imperial conduit...

[DNS1]

A mate just moved into a flat and has asked me to sort out a few things with the electrics, mainly convert some single sockets to doubles.

Unfortunately for me, everything has been run in singles in metal conduit without a CPC.

Need to get hold of some backing boxes with the appropriate sized knockouts to take the imperial conduit fittings correctly, but having a hard time finding them at my usual suppliers.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers!

 

[i=p/u]

Yeah it will be ok

 

[Risteard]

Why not use converter sockets?

 

[Engineer54]

Why not use converter sockets?

That's one solution, although they can be a source of nuisance as i've found in the past. They aren't very robust for heavy use outlet points. If wanting to do a proper conversion and installing new double back boxes, i really can't see this as being much of a problem for any competent electrician....

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Yeah i folded in my flat (condo as described) & fitted converter sockets but dislike them. Also ran a separate cpc when new singles were pulled in...

 

[Andy78]

That's one solution, although they can be a source of nuisance as i've found in the past. They aren't very robust for heavy use outlet points. If wanting to do a proper conversion and installing new double back boxes, i really can't see this as being much of a problem for any competent electrician....

I'll second this. I installed single to double converter sockets in my kitchen as a quick fix when we moved in. Within a year, all 3 just had one side working, so effectively back to singles, lol.
Very cheap build quality and not worth it. Mine were made by Clipsall by the way.

 

[Engineer54]

Yeah i folded in my flat (condo as described) & fitted converter sockets but dislike them. Also ran a separate cpc when new singles were pulled in...

Now if that conduit installation was a proper job, that was a complete waste of time, energy and cost!!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Agreed. Think readings ropey (r2) so over-specc'd!

 

[ipf]

If you mean by a knats Pee, your right!! So no problems for the knockouts on back boxes then!!

The old 3/4 bushes might be OK, decent size and solid.

 

[ipf]

When I said drill the back box there was no mention of a 20mm cutter, that's why I said you should use a step /cone cutter. Use the largest drill bit that you have, and then use the cutter to the drill to the correct size.

Can't see any mention of a 20mm cutter.
Interesting cone cutting a 3/4 hole in a 20mm knockout...

 

[craigday]

they do double sockets which fit onto single back boxes bit ugly but would save you lots of hassle

 

[DNS1]

Just measured the knockouts in a box I nabbed earlier. It has both 3/4" AND 16mm openings and it's the 16mm which are in use.

Conduit is currently terminated with a coupler and attached to the box with a male bush. Did look at just trying connecting it to a 20mm knockout, but no chance, it fits straight through!

Next option is use the existing bush to clamp on a banjo, and then run a strap into the box as if it was a CPC. Sound reasonable?

By the way, I broke the ring measured R2, 0.14ohms so no problem there.

 

[ipf]

Just measured the knockouts in a box I nabbed earlier. It has both 3/4" AND 16mm openings and it's the 16mm which are in use.

Conduit is currently terminated with a coupler and attached to the box with a male bush. Did look at just trying connecting it to a 20mm knockout, but no chance, it fits straight through!

Next option is use the existing bush to clamp on a banjo, and then run a strap into the box as if it was a CPC. Sound reasonable?

By the way, I broke the ring measured R2, 0.14ohms so no problem there.

Old 5/8 inch then. Have a real job on getting couplings and bushes for that, I feel.

Not much difference between 5/8 inch and 16mm. Try 20mm/16mm reducer...might just fit.

 

[Engineer54]

Try a couple of 16/17mm flat washers either side of the new back box between the coupling and the male bush!! There are several ways to get around this minor problem!! It's completely do-able

 

[DNS1]

There are several ways to get around this minor problem!! It's completely do-able

Agreed! I'm just paranoid that I'm going to do something that would be frowned upon!

Sounds stupid, but I don't want a sparks to turn up in 20 years time for a full rewire, look at my work and think it's cowboy!

Washers are a good idea (so good I thought of it earlier!) just couldn't get any the right size!

 

[Dcf]

i think i used to get around it with 5/8 locknuts.
probably as scarce as police at a gypsy camp these days though.
there was adaptors for these with usually a 5/8 female to 20mm male thread if i remember rightly
lewden made them