Changing Socket Outlets and Earths to Back Box Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Musicman88]

Hi all. I’m confident in changing sockets etc and wiring them up, but my question is, “all my sockets/lights have metal backboxes, I’ve seen a few of them I have looked at don’t have the earth on the back box itself (just the socket). Am I able to straight swap a metal back box for a plastic?”

I know it’s easy to do but I want to make sure it’s in line with regs etc as I’m obviously not a qualified electrician.

Thanks

[Mr White]

If the back box is metal, that implies it is flush mounted in a hard surface (Brick etc) They do not make a plastic box for flush mounting, so even if you wanted to you can not change them.

There is however a plastic back box made to go into plasterboard, but it is not substantial enough for brick.

Also if there were such a box, why change something that is already working, and if you could you would have to disconnect all the sockets to remove them then you should carry out an IR test and a continuity test to insure ring integrity.

Also when the face plate screws are securely tightened it makes an acceptable connection