Mystery Black box on external wall Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[ydrol]

Hi,

I'll be getting a sparky out to check this but just wondered what this black metal box is on the inside of an external wall. Anyone know?

It has a cable going into the wall. It might be feeding a garden light it it's not really in line with it at all. There is another modern isolation switch on the wall itself.

Its about 6 cm deep and 17 cm square. It looks very old , and the previous house owner also doesn't know.

[Mr White]

That is what is known as an "adaptable box" They have various uses hence the name. (They were also used as junction boxes for conduit) As for what it is or was used to connect to you guess first, why not open it and look?

[ydrol]

Thanks - I'll switch off the leccy and have a look tomorrow.

This is underneath - looks like only one cable possibly.

[ydrol]

I bought a non-contact test and it turns out the cable is live - and is terminated in a 240v contactor volt coil?

The adapter box is 6cm deep and I'd just like to remove the coil and terminate the cable in a lower profile surface mounter termination? and ensure the other hole is blocked. (eg see image)

Would that be OK?

[Mr White]

To do as you suggest you would have to isolate the supply and make it safe ("dead") since you are doing that, follow the cable back to its source and disconnect it from there permanently.

I did not suggest it earlier as I had no idea what it was connected to.

[ydrol]

Thanks - I have no idea where the other end of the cable is. It goes in under the worktop and behind a tiled wall. I think it was put in before the kitchen was done about 15-20 years ago. Possible to supply power to washer/dryer. The previous owner didnt know what it was so they used an extension/power strip from a plug socket above the worktop to supply the washing machine (something that I've continued to do).

Ideally the mystery live cable should be used to supply a new wall socket - but we plan to replace that bit of wall with patio doors in the near future - so not worth it.
So just need to know if its OK to terminate the live cable in a smaller termination box , anything more complicated I'll call in an electrician so would need to line up some other jobs :)

[Mr White]

Yes you can terminate it, but you would still have to isolate it first.

[ydrol]

Thanks for your advice and patience . By isolate you just mean switch off the mains feed temporarily whilst I'm putting on the smaller termination box or do you mean something more permanent (if the latter then i don't understand sorry!)

[Mr White]

Since you do not know / have a means of local isolation, then you will have to turn the main switch of the consumers unit off, however, you should still check that the cable is dead, as the cable may be supplied from another source.