broken socket outlet

[i=p/u]

yo, went to fix socket outlet tonight, and what has happened is the wings inside back box has broken off, so faceplate wont screw back on.

dont want to try get box out as is tiled. has any of yous just put large screw right through back of box.or have a better soloution.. thanks

 

[DurhamSparky]

you need to replace the back box mate or alternatively mount a surface socket on top!

 

[i=p/u]

could be option durhamsparky, i was thinking maybe could just drivefew big screws through, what dangers would this cause, ive just taped it uip with do not use sticker on for now

 

[DurhamSparky]

please dont drive big screws through as they may damage cable as screws have Sharpe edges!! plus front box was not designed for that!

 

[i=p/u]

means maybe moving few tiles..

 

[Paul.M]

Sorry mate its a new back box. One of those 5 min jobs that kick you in the lower back crack.

 

[i=p/u]

my opinion is if i remove few tiles and grout in again ,all round worktops need re grouted again,, so ayee

 

[Paul.M]

Is it not possible to remove box without taking tiles off?

 

[i=p/u]

well was hoping that, but has been tiled after box went in so overlapping it, was 3036 board and didnt want to turn off last night as didnt know what circuit breaker covers what.

nothing is marked and theres 3 60A boards covering house...

could do with one of them fuse finders,

 

[Phil]

can you not get a new wing into the b-box? or has the surrounding plastic broken as well as the wing?

 

[DurhamSparky]

bit of back box surgery!! lol.. done that a few times

 

[Paul.M]

That's a point, is it metal or plastic?

 

[i=p/u]

yeh surrounding plastic broken, it was all taped up an jammed in

 

[i=p/u]

back box surgery , hmmm

 

[Dayo]

Right, here is what i have done in the past, if one or more lugs have broken off. leave the existing box in the wall break off anything to do with the old lugs. get a new back box single will do, get a junior hacksaw cut out the side of the box including the lug and 20mm of the back part of the box. drill a hole through the back part of the box and plug and screw it into the wall through the existing back box, do this both sides and you will have two new fixings as you have the depth of the tiles you should be ok even though the centres are slightly narrower. sounds a lot of work but in reality takes approx 5-10 mins. it does work i know had to do this a number of times sometimes one side sometimes both.