Removing socket outlets

[Bobby34]

Hi guys and girls,

A client is moving their kitchen into another room that currently has a few sockets in it.

The sockets are currently on a ring final circuit that covers every socket in the house.

They've asked me to add sockets for the new kitchen so I am going to run a new kitchen circuit most of which can be done in trunking as it will be behind the units going in.

My question is am I able to replace the faceplates of the old sockets not being used/covered with a blanking plate and use maintenance free wago's inside so the ring for the rest of the house is not affected? (3 sockets I think that will end up behind units)

Thanks in advance

 

[simpson93]

Yes. But obviosly, make sure they are still accessible.

 

[richy3333]

Yes if the wagos are rated appropriately. Your proposed solution would not be Maintainence Free so would need reasonable access for future I&T. Why not just remove the S/O’s and crimp and over-sleeve?

 

[telectrix]

i would use the ideal in line splice connectors or push fit wagos. unless you are a builder, then choc block and ... plaster over.

 

[simpson93]

Ideally if you can, remove the cables from the wall and put a junction under the kick plates.

 

[Bobby34]

I was looking at those inline splice, but wasn't sure which was better between them and the wago's, so would it be acceptable then to remove the S/O, use those inline splice, oversleeve and then patch up?

 

[littlespark]

Can the sockets not be utilised for under unit or kickboard lighting?
Marked accordingly so they know what isolates what

 

[Baddegg]

If they not gonna be accessible I’d crimp and shrink em, trouble with wagos is they don’t class as MF if not in a wago box....not sure about the insure splice but won’t be to hard to check

 

[simpson93]

Since when have wagos not been MF?

 

[Baddegg]

When they not in a wago box,always happy to be corrected but I’m sure that’s what I’ve read on wago website

 

[Bobby34]

When they not in a wago box,always happy to be corrected but I’m sure that’s what I’ve read on wago website

I never realised that, always thought the connectors were maintenance free regardless of what enclosure they were in, every days a school day as they say

 

[richy3333]

I was looking at those inline splice, but wasn't sure which was better between them and the wago's, so would it be acceptable then to remove the S/O, use those inline splice, oversleeve and then patch up?

No

 

[simpson93]

Rather then the mf aspect, those cables will still be chased into the walls?

If so the connections will need to be accessible to create the zones

 

[Baddegg]

I never realised that, always thought the connectors were maintenance free regardless of what enclosure they were in, every days a school day as they say

In the real world I doubt it makes much difference but then wago wouldn’t be able to sell they boxes......their ball their rules I spose

 

[richy3333]

Since when have wagos not been MF?

You clearly don’t understand the use of Wago connectors and the principles of MF junction boxes. Read the relevant section of BS7671 and info on the Wago website

 

[Bobby34]

No

So keep S/O box, inline splice/crimp shrink, oversleeve and blanking plate and then can be classed as M/F??

 

[Octopus]

If the new layout allows, I would leave the sockets in place and cut access holes in the rear of the cupboards..... or if the cables come from below, get them out of the wall and use Hager MF boxes ........

 

[Bobby34]

No

So keep S/O box, inline splice/crimp shrink, oversleeve and blanking plate and then can be classed as M/F??

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I would access the cables above these sockets in the ceiling. I would access from below as there's a pretty good chance some plastering must be going on so the small holes you make in the ceiling can be filled. I would then join the cables in a MF wago and leave in the ceiling.

I doubt the old sockets will be in an ideal place behind the new cupboards, also I doubt that the owner will want big holes cut in them simple so he can see a blanking plate in order to create the needed electrical zone. The kitchen fitter will end up just covering them up with the cabinets and then there will be live cables hidden in the walls.

 

[Wilko]

The kitchen fitter will end up just covering them up with the cabinets and then there will be live cables hidden in the walls.

And Kev may put a screw into the drop and create rework for all, not so much fun...