Help!

[donpea1982]

Ok so this is probably a dumb question but here goes....So when I moved into my flat I found what I thought was a plug socket without a face but there is no hole in the wall the wire litererall just comes straight out of a flush wall ( it looks like there is a recess but it's wood panelling fitted onto the wall with an oblong hole cut out around the wiring) what was this?

 

[Marvo]

Erm, good question. Looks like wiring that's been spurred of from a circuit to supply something that was surface mounted there at one time. Is there anything that's back to back with that wiring in the room behind?

I'd assume it's live if I were you until it's proved otherwise so be careful. If you want to move it or mess with it switch off the entire CU first.

 

[ifindoubtdont]

It looks like a "Dangerous Dave" diy lash up. Do not screw or nail anything into that tongue and groove paneling until you find the other end of that circuit and disconnect it. You may find another socket close by on the same wall or as Marvo says in the room the other side of the wall. Switch off at the CU before you start fiddling. As I always say "If in doubt, don't". It wouldn't take long for qualified electrician to sort out.

 

[donpea1982]

There is a storage heater switch the other side of the wall directly behind this so I'm guessing there was probably a storage heater there before. Would an electrician be able to put a plug socket here to give me an extra power point in the room?

 

[Marvo]

It might be possible but there's a lot of ifs and buts involved. I'd suggest you get a decent sparky around to check the wiring and the circuit that's supplying it and he should be able to tell you on the spot if it can be converted into a socket safely or whether it's going to be unsafe and it's better to remove it.

 

[GMES]

If it was an old storage heater the circuit could be on a seperate board and tariff to your other sockets, just something to consider!!