Tidying up ugly internal plugs Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Mrcturner]

Without recessing this plug into to the wall and having to replaster the whole wall, what is the best way to tidy this up?

https://i.postimg.cc/mgsyjN4X/IMG-8333.jpg

[Mr White]

Turn the electricity off, tighten up the faceplate screws and with a damp cloth (not wet) and a scour sponge and cleaner, give it a good wipe/rub.

Or change both, your choice.

[Mrcturner]

Thanks for the response.

Ideally I’d like to replace the whole thing. It’s covered in paint etc.

But when I look for a replacement, I can only seem to find the face plate:

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-13-Amp-Single-Switched-Plug-Socket---White/p/710022

Where am I going wrong? Is there a name for this kind of socket?

Thanks

[Mr White]

It is called a socket, not a faceplate, and the box on the wall is called a patress.

[ericmark]

As said google "pattress box" and you will see many options, it seems cable is surface so there are limits, you can get skirting trunking but it seems to be a silly price, CEF seems around the cheapest with their Centaur range.

Personally I have used T2 trunking on top of the skirting board and filled in the gap between the two so it looks as if the trunking is part of the skirting board, then mounted the pattress box above it sinking it in just plaster depth, so socket about level with the skirting, any further in means the appliance cable is put under strain as it pushes on skirting.

[I.Hughes]

Hi,

These make up a nice round cornered unit (Patress and Faceplate)

https://www.electrical2go.co.uk/mode-1-gang-pattress-box-conduit.html
& https://www.electrical2go.co.uk/click-mode-switched-1g-13a-socket-outlet-cma035.html

Hope this helps.

[ericmark]

Looking for some thing else I came across this web site https://copleydecor.co.uk/ and it seems they do covings and skirting boards designed to take cables behind them.

With grid systems you can get face plates independent to socket, but they are more expensive so in the main no point.