Flush fitting blanking plate for unneeded socket

[Rob Horton]

Just installing a load of free standing bookcases and there is a single socket connected to the ring (not a spur) which will be behind one of the bookcases. It looks like I will get away with it not touching the back of the bookcase, however, just in case I don't, I would like to find a flush fitting (doesn't project beyond the surface of the wall) blanking plate. Will it be ok to connect the wires of the ring main using a 32 amp terminal block? I don't want to crimp as the bookcases will only be in position for a few years. When they are removed I would restore the socket.

[Franko]

Are you sure the bookcase will be flush against the wall? I've always found that bookcases won't go right back because of the skirting board - unless you have no skirting.

[Lobster]

Sounds fine - you're just replacing the terminals of the socket with those in the terminal block, like with like.

I think you'll find most blanking plates are at least slightly proud of the wall though (2-3mm) they are intended to cover over the damaged plaster edge, in the same way a faceplate does.

David

[Dave Liquorice]

Or the furniture has a recess along the back to take the skirting. Not that you see that very often.

Can you get metal blanking plates to match the modern flush metal accessories you can get these days? That'll only be a couple of mm thick.

A 32A choc block in the box would be fine, it's still "accessable" in my book. Or you could fit a flush metal single socket...

[Harry Bloomfield]

The 32amp is only a rough guide to the size of cable which will fit. Use whatever size provides a good close fit for the cables, if high current is involved over lap the two wires inside the connector, so both screws tighten onto both cables.

For the cover plate-

Could you not cut a bit of sheet material (plastic or metal), which would fit within the box and held by the two screws?

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Yes that's fine.

Plastic blank plates stick out from the wall by the same distance as a socket. If this matters you can get metal plates which are closer to flush

- only sticking out a couple of mm.

[robert]

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes

You may want to have a look at this