Removing light circuit.

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 11:08 am

Hi,
I am currently renovating my lounge, which has 3 of these sockets (see image).
What would be the best way to remove/make safe these unsightly sockets?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:21 pm

Which do you want to remove?

In either case next question. What exactly do you want to do? Remove completely, remove to decorate, its in the "wrong place" something else
I would never recommend removing a socket, as some time later you will want one. But its your choice.

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:23 pm

Hi SE,
Many thanks for the swift response.
I’m currently decorating the lounge, and I don’t really have a use for them, as we only have one lamp that we intend to use.
Plus it looks like a load of shaver sockets dotted all around the room....

Rob

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:04 pm

The small ones are NOT shaver sockets. They are 5 Amp sockets. The idea is you plug a table light into it but you switch it (the socket, or in your case all of them) from a light switch.
Have you got a light switch "That does nothing?" You will need to take them all out (the 5 A sockets) and totally isolate the wiring, is there a dedicated MCB in your consumers unit? (Just maybe)

Regarding the normal sockets they will probably be on a ring, which means to remove one you will have to re-route the ring, you can't just disconnect it as you will be breaking the ring. You can however cover it with a blanking plate and use wago connectors, which still leaves a white plate and more money, so people often leave them as its cheaper and six months down the road plug a tv into them

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:05 pm

Oh one thought.

are they all in "pairs" i.e one normal socket and one 5A socket? if so, mains off, open both up and take a couple of clear in focus right way round pictures, you may be in luck.

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:23 pm

I have not seen sockets with the fixing screws top/bottom for years, so would assume old, they may well be for standard lamps, but could also be simply 5 amp sockets, they need testing, you can cover with blanking plate but may as well leave the socket in that place. It will not be considered essential work, so either you do the inspection and testing or you leave them where they are.

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:24 pm

Hi all
Many thanks for your support and help.
I’ve dropped down into the cavity and followed the cable as thy are independent of the normal sockets.

Would I be right in thinking that the top right hand wire will run to the light switch?
As the other three run to the 5amp sockets, and would that be where it takes the power from?
(Sorry, for some reason it’s turning the image upside down.)

Rob.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:09 pm

Being this end of the computer I have no idea where any wire goes.
Can you please post pictures that I asked for

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:21 pm

Ok,
Here you go.

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:31 pm

And the second one.

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:35 pm

And the last one,

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:06 pm

Oh, and yes they are all in pairs.

Rob

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:45 am

That's much better.
Your sockets do appear to be on a final ring circuit.
Your 5A lighting sockets appear to be "strung together" (New technical term that is)

It would seem that what I first said is correct, to remove your normal sockets you must keep the integrity of the ring, the easiest way to do that is to use wago connectors to join the cables together, allowing you to remove the socket face plate, however that will then leave you with exposed cables in a metal back box which you can cover with a blanking plate.*

Your lighting sockets appear to be connected as and where needed (Strung together) It looks like a cable has been run round and then where a socket was required the "main cable" was tapped into.

To remove these is slightly easier (In theory) all that needs to be done is the start of the "main cable" needs to be found and disconnected from the supply then all the 5 A sockets need to be tested then removed or covered with a blanking plate*

* I only wish it was easier, but at the end of the day you are still going to have blanking plates, for which you will have to pay, and not forgetting all the wago connectors you will need. (Not too expensive, but will be a waste of time and money as you may as well leave what you have there)
Since you don't like the socket locations but you have to keep them, I would seriously consider having a complete house rewire as that way you can have more sockets put where you need and you can do away with those that you don't like. Yes it is a bit OTT but the cables you have are old (nothing wrong with old) but you are going to need an electrician to rewire the sockets so you can completely remove them and maintain the ring, he may as well carry on and rewire everything.

Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.

ROBERT DONAT · Post by **ROBERT DONAT** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 1:01 pm

someone-else wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:45 am That's much better.
Your sockets do appear to be on a final ring circuit.
Your 5A lighting sockets appear to be "strung together" (New technical term that is)

It would seem that what I first said is correct, to remove your normal sockets you must keep the integrity of the ring, the easiest way to do that is to use wago connectors to join the cables together, allowing you to remove the socket face plate, however that will then leave you with exposed cables in a metal back box which you can cover with a blanking plate.*

Your lighting sockets appear to be connected as and where needed (Strung together) It looks like a cable has been run round and then where a socket was required the "main cable" was tapped into.

To remove these is slightly easier (In theory) all that needs to be done is the start of the "main cable" needs to be found and disconnected from the supply then all the 5 A sockets need to be tested then removed or covered with a blanking plate*

* I only wish it was easier, but at the end of the day you are still going to have blanking plates, for which you will have to pay, and not forgetting all the wago connectors you will need. (Not too expensive, but will be a waste of time and money as you may as well leave what you have there)
Since you don't like the socket locations but you have to keep them, I would seriously consider having a complete house rewire as that way you can have more sockets put where you need and you can do away with those that you don't like. Yes it is a bit OTT but the cables you have are old (nothing wrong with old) but you are going to need an electrician to rewire the sockets so you can completely remove them and maintain the ring, he may as well carry on and rewire everything.

Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.

Hi SE,
many thanks for taking the time to reply, I missed your original post becuase on my Ipad half of the screen is covered by a large banner which makes it difficult to read the replies.
I only intend removing the 5A sockets as they wont look good next to the sockets that I intend to use. ( black nickel double sockets)
So I will find a local spark to come in and disconnect from the supply, so that I can then remove & fill the existing holes.

Once again, many thanks for your help.

Regards Rob.