How should sockets be left for a plasterer to do his business? These are in dry lines walls and brick walls. Do I leave the sockets off with the wires connected to terminal blocks and insulated or leave the sockets connected but lose? I assume the former otherwise the plaster will get in the sockets. I assume that he will want the power on to do the mixing and make a cup of tea.
Kevin
The plaster will get in the boxes whatever you do - but not necessarily in the sockets. If you leave the sockets connected, pull them at least an inch out from the wall so that the plasterer's trowel can get right up to the boxes. You'll get a better finish by removing them, and tucking the wires (suitably insulated, if live) inside the boxes. The plasterer will then skim right over the top to get a flat surface before removing any plaster from the box itself - if he bothers! [If he doesn't, you may find it hard to locate your power points!]
Remove the sockets. Not worth the hasle of trying to get plaster out of the back of the socket (it will) nor the chance of electruction.
Power can be provided from a socket in another room or be clever if you have a large consumer unit with spare ways and mount a double point next to your consumer unit on its own MCB, thereby allowing you to power off the rest of the house but still have some power available.
Of course, insulate the wires that remain in the box. It is easy to remove the excess plaster that has spilled into the box, preferably before it has fully set. Use a small knife but be sure to avoid the cables.
HTH Rob
Preferably loop the ring cable through a grommit into the back box, but don't cut it so that you have exposed live conductors. Fold the loop up inside the box.
When the plasterer has finished, carefully score around the box and remove any plaster that has covered the box. Some plasterers will have been more careful than others, so this step may not be required.
Now cut the loop, strip the cables, install the socket and test. The plasterer can plug his tools into a different circuit if there is one, or you can supply a temporary socket circuit at the consumer unit and a long extension lead.
Christian.
In which case, it would pay you to mark their postion on the floor or ceiling, just small marks in pencil.
Dave
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