How difficult is it to install a plug socket really?

[Tom B]

Posts above summarise most of my thoughts with far greater depth and experience than I can contribute. However, I would add from my own experience...

Do not assume that the MCBs are correctly labelled. Inaccuracies, changes/extensions of circuits, changes of room use etc all contribute to the label not being 100% reliable. Hence why always checking first is best.

You can get audible socket testers (CPC IN05839 or similar) which can be very useful in tracing circu8ts. I personally would not use a non contact tester to verify a circuit dead before working on it. They are useful devices for many purposes and are useful for fault finding (piece of equipment is off - first check, is there power to it) etc, but I wouldn't trust my safety with one the 'other way round'.

 

[Barn]

If you'll forgive me one more video from my favourite YouTube electrician, here's a round up of devices used to prove dead:

 

[flymo]

As an electrician of over 37 years experience I wouldn't even switch off the power, if this were me, just be very careful about what you do and how you do it. Wouldn't take more than 5 minutes, no rubber gloves, shoes or other paraphernalia required.

 

[najaB]

As an electrician of over 37 years experience I wouldn't even switch off the power, if this were me...

But it's not you, so it's irresponsible suggesting that the power doesn't need to be turned off.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Well you couldn't put a lock on my fuse box, its just a switch to isolate the relevant part of the house wiring. As long as you tell everyone else in the house what you are doing so they don't flick the switch back on i don't see the problem?

I've changed light switches before, all needed was a screwdriver.

I bet you you could. There are lock off devices that fit on circuit breakers and these are what the padlocks attach to.

 

[birchesgreen]

I bet you you could. There are lock off devices that fit on circuit breakers and these are what the padlocks attach to.

No just checked, definitely not. The fuse box is at least 18 years old though.

 

[cjmillsnun]

A tester screwdriver is quite adequate for that purpose.

A good way of ensuring the supply remains off is to remove the breaker/fuse for the circuit you are working on and stick it in your pocket.

I would never trust a tester screwdriver.

An approved tester isn’t actually that much and much safer although a good alternative for a socket is to plug something in like a light and go switch off the circuit. If the light goes out go switch the circuit back on. If the light is back on you know switching the circuit off again will make it dead. If you want to be doubly sure take the lamp to another ring (normally upstairs and downstairs are on different rings) and plug in again. The light should work where it doesn’t on the isolated circuit.

Also taking a fuse with you is fine but don’t take a breaker out of circuit.

 

[Bayum]

Well, you'll all be pleased to know that I haven't replaced either my plug socket, or my light switch. My mum and I seem unable to find any of the circuits and switches which control the circuit to my bedroom... Is this something to be concerned about?

 

[mmh]

Well, you'll all be pleased to know that I haven't replaced either my plug socket, or my light switch. My mum and I seem unable to find any of the circuits and switches which control the circuit to my bedroom... Is this something to be concerned about?

That's the first time you've mentioned a light switch as well as the socket.

Your lights wil be on a separate circuit to your sockets (and there might be multiple circuits for both). There won't be (or is exceptionally unlikely to be) a separate socket or lighting circuit for a single room.

I know some of us on here (including me, sorry) were maybe a little abrupt before telling you to not do this yourself, but I'm afraid I think we were being sensible. If you can't turn off either of these off by switchiing off breakers on your consumer unit ("fuse box"), or turning power off to to it, or removing fuse cartridges from your fuse box if you've got an old style one (which you'd turn off anyway before doing!) then I'd wonder if you're actually looking at the right place - do you possibly have multiple? A shared building perhaps?

Either way I'm really sorry, but the way you word these questions suggests to me you shouldn't be doing this. Find someone to help you in person if you can, this is not something to be doing with internet help really.

 

[whhistle]

A good way of ensuring the supply remains off is to remove the breaker/fuse for the circuit you are working on and stick it in your pocket.

This. Simple, but effective.

Tester screwdriver adequate? probably, would I rely on one? definitely not.

I have one but think it's broken.
Tried testing it using model railway tracks but it didn't light.

I have replaced a bunch of light switches and three sockets before.
I just informed the people in my house I was doing it and they knew not to turn on the electric. But then messing about with the consumer unit is my job anyway. Nobody else touches it because they know it's dangerous.

Did I test anything?
No. I trust my consumer unit that when it's off, the electric is off. Another way of testing is leaving a light on (or a plug in radio / microwave, something with noise) and turn all the electric off. If you hear the noise, the electric is on. Mysteriously.

You're not an expert but changing a plug or light switch doesn't need one either - you can do it yourself if you want to learn. Just turn ALL the electric off and replace one thing at a time, then test. The fridge/freezer will survive longer than you'll need.

Those that are saying "don't do it" or "call in an electrician" I find strange. The guy is replacing a simple socket and switch - it's nothing to be scared of and fairly simple for someone like me who knows next to nothing about electrics. Yes, safety first but that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't do it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's the first time you've mentioned a light switch as well as the socket.

Your lights wil be on a separate circuit to your sockets (and there might be multiple circuits for both). There won't be (or is exceptionally unlikely to be) a separate socket or lighting circuit for a single room.

...unless you live outside the UK, in which case it is *likely* this arrangement will be used. It is universal in Switzerland and very common in Germany to have a 10 or 15/16A breaker per room on a radial circuit or for a couple of rooms rather than separating by function like the UK does.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I have one but think it's broken.
Tried testing it using model railway tracks but it didn't light.

They don't light for 12VDC.

 

[Barn]

They don't light for 12VDC.

They also require a common earth to complete a circuit through your body, so will not light for anything powered by an isolating transformer, whatever the voltage.

 

[robbeech]

They also require a common earth to complete a circuit through your body, so will not light for anything powered by an isolating transformer, whatever the voltage.

All the more reason to discard them all.

 

[najaB]

All the more reason to discard them all.

They are useful tools as long as you understand their limitations.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Did I test anything?
No. I trust my consumer unit that when it's off, the electric is off. Another way of testing is leaving a light on (or a plug in radio / microwave, something with noise) and turn all the electric off. If you hear the noise, the electric is on. Mysteriously.

As someone who has seen the state old electrics can be left in I wouldn’t trust a consumer unit. Getting a zap from a circuit you thought was dead is not fun. Your using a device plugged in to check the circuit is dead is something I suggested.

You're not an expert but changing a plug or light switch doesn't need one either - you can do it yourself if you want to learn. Just turn ALL the electric off and replace one thing at a time, then test. The fridge/freezer will survive longer than you'll need.

Agreed unless insufficient wiring has been left to fix the new faceplate. Not all socket outlets have the screw holes in the same position Again this is something I have encountered.

Those that are saying "don't do it" or "call in an electrician" I find strange. The guy is replacing a simple socket and switch - it's nothing to be scared of and fairly simple for someone like me who knows next to nothing about electrics. Yes, safety first but that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't do it.

Whilst it is easy, you would be surprised how many times I’ve seen the live and neutral reversed and the earth not connected at all. This is important as the fuse is on the live. Should a fuse blow in the plug due to an overload, on a metal bodied appliance there is a much higher risk that the body of the appliance is still live with reference to earth meaning should someone touch it they are at risk of a serious electric shock or even death.

I’m not saying don’t do it but it should be done to match what is being replaced.