Replacing a socket outlet (page 2)

This material is " for information purposes " only. Strict rules govern what electrical work can be done without notification and inspection. Read more...

Back to page 1

Removing the old socket outlet

Make sure the power is switched off at the consumer unit and the fuse removed from the circuit.

Release the retaining screws which hold the fascia plate against the mounting box. Put the screws to one side for later use and ease the fascia out towards you. As you twist the plate round you will see the various connections.

Removing the wires from the old socket

There will be three terminals. One for live, one for neutral and one for the earth. The number of wires fitted to each will depend on the circuit. The socket may be on a spur in which case there will be one live, one neutral and one earth. It may be part of a ring and have two of each. It may be part of a ring and have a spur cable from it as well in which case you will see three of each.

Undo the retaining screw for each terminal in turn, and remove the old fitting.

Connecting the wires to the new socket

Make sure the power is switched off at the consumer unit and the fuse removed from the circuit

Depending upon where in the circuit you are fitting the socket and whether you are replacing an existing or fitting a new one, you may have one, two or three sets of conductors.

Strip the cables ready for connection. Insulate the earth conductors using the separately sold green and yellow sleeving. This should be cut to length and fed over the conductor so that about 1/2" is left exposed at the end to match the other conductors.

Slacken the screw of the appropriate connection terminal. If you are fitting more than one conductor to a terminal, carefully twist the exposed ends together using a pair of pliers. This ensures maximum contact between the components.

Insert the red, live conductors into the hole in the terminal marked ‘L’.

Ensure that the conductor is fully housed and that there is no exposed wire showing. Fasten the screw and make sure the wire is firmly secured.

Repeat the process for the black, neutral conductors, fixing them in the terminal marked ‘N’.

Repeat the process for the green/yellow, earth conductors fixing them to the terminal marked with the earth symbol.

Fixing the socket outlet

Double check that all your connections are to the correct terminals, and securely fastened.

Carefully push the face plate back, gently folding the cables as you go, so that they sit neatly into the box. Fasten the face plate with its retaining screws. Tighten the screws alternately to ensure that the socket is pulled evenly back against the surface. As you tighten these, ensure that the face is level. One of the screw mountings will have allowance for a small amount of vertical adjustment which assists with this.

• Supply new socket from another socket
• Supply new socket from a junction box
• Extending a ring main to supply a new socket
• Locating sockets
• Mounting sockets