changing cooker control switch (with socket) into double socket

[JimK]

As subject really .

Any gotchas?

Are the wires likely to fit in a standard double socket's terminals?

What about the presumably enormous backbox for the enormous existing faceplate?

Ought else?

TIA

Jim K

[Tim Watts]

Yes - 13A sockets should take a single 6mm2 wire per terminal.

It is fused at 32A - right? if not, stop here...

Assuming so...

Is it the older enormous type or a double?

If the former, it woul dbe easier to leave it as a combined 13A socket and cooker switch.

If the latter, double 13A socket - quite legit as a standard (albeit very rare) 32A radial circuit.

[ARW]

Swap it for a normal 2g backbox!

[John Rumm]

Not specially. Check to see what its fused at.

Depends on how old it is... there was a time that cooker points were worthy of something you would see in a Frankenstein movie and about a foot tall, by 8" wide. More modern examples fit the footprint of a double socket. So if yours is such then reuse the existing backbox. The extra depth will help rather than hinder - especially if the cable is particularly large.

[Adam Funk]

With protruding bolts & sound effects?

[spuorgelgoog]

A good quality one, yes. A Wickes own brand one, no.

If it's the enormous style

then easier to leave it in place and continue the cable to separately mounted sockets.

Owain

[JimK]

A good quality one, yes. A Wickes own brand one, no.

If it's the enormous style

then easier to leave it in place and continue the cable to separately mounted sockets.

Owain/q

Yup that's the f***er but this has a round pin socket..... I know...

Do you think they want this one for their collection?!

Jim K

[spuorgelgoog]

Cute :-)

I'm sure Flameport would appreciate photos; they don't collect physical items.

Someone on ebay might like the original.

Owain

[Brian Gaff]

Mine used aluminium wire, very unexpected!

Brian

[GMM]

Until I read this thread, I hadn't realised they had changed format, which rather raises the question of why a switch that used to require a box the size of a substation is now OK in a regular sized format. It certainly makes a neater job but I'd have thought the biggest challenge with a regular double box would be persuading the cable back into the box after wiring up a socket (or a cooker connection). It's enough of a struggle with 2.5mm T+E sometimes. Certainly a deep back box would help.

[DerbyBorn]

Is the size more to do with the realisation that AC switches did not need to be fast make and break?

[ARW]

I am pretty sure that other posters here other than me would like to see a a photo on the wiki.

[Tim Watts]

Yes - you need a 45mm deep box.

[ARW]

47mm?

And why do back boxes have such odd sizes? 16mm, 25mm, 35mm and 47mm. And the plastic pattress versions are random depths depending on the manufacturer.

[Andy Burns]

Suppose they come from imperial, 5/8", 1", 1 and 3/8", 1 and 7/8", so all 3/8" increments rounded to nearest mm

Is it usual for the dual boxes to *not* have any adjustable lugs, or did I just choose an el-cheapo one?

[ARW]

Interesting observation.

They NEVER have adjustable lugs AFAIK.

[Andy Burns]

Except, whoops that last step is 1/2" not 3/8"

[Andy Burns]

The 60.3mm centres on a 1 gang wiring accessory comes from 2 3/8"

[meow2222]

...If you get a convenient choice, on a white background is best.

NT

[spuorgelgoog]

Yes.

Owain