Socket Nightmare

bob.smithson · 2007-05-24T16:37:46+00:00

I loosened a socket while decorating at my in-laws new place and indoing so noticed that four cables were connected there - the two ringcables and two spurs. Furthermore, I noticed that one of the earthsfrom the ring had come out of the socket connector. I tried to get itback in but, in doing so, at least one other wire - a live or neutral- came out of its connector!I know from experience that three cables into one socket is a bit of ajob and in this case it is made worse by the fact that there isn't alot of spare length in the cables. Another thing I noticed was thatthere was no socket to back box earth connection - so in fact I'd needto get 5 earth wires in the socket to fix this! So anyway, I realisedthat I wasn't going to be able to fix this in a hurry and I'm not sureI would be happy with the existing arrangement even if I got a pro into reconnect the socket. So as a stop-gap, I removed the socket,connected up the wires with choc blocks and put a blank on.So I'm wondering what to do now without causing too much disruption.(It's probably worth mentioning that it's a concrete floor whichprobably accounts for how it ended up like this.) Given that thesocket is in a fairly hidden position (behind the TV) so aestheticsaren't too important, I was thinking of doing the following:Effectively, use the existing back box as a junction box, connectingthe wires appropriately using choc blocks (and keeping theblank plate on), and then sink another box alongside it for thesocket. The spurs would be connected up in the 'junction box' andthere would be two short cables into the new socket which would be thering cables.How does this sound? The advantage as I see it would be that theconnections could be worked on individually and with confidence thatthey are tight and they would remain accessible via the blank socket.Thanks,Bob

May 24, 2007 26 Replies

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Huge 19 years ago

I have two 4-way strips behind my TV, one plugged into each of a double socket. One strip is for items that can be powered off, the other not.

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John Rumm 19 years ago

Can you get heat proof sockets for there? ;-)

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Dave Plowman (News) 19 years ago

I wish there was a small and reasonably priced plug in and out splitter system for all these low power consumption things. The closest was those

4,6 and eight way units based on a form of IEC connector. I realise it means hacking off the mains plugs and replacing with whatever - and that it's no use for wall warts. But could save a deal of space for those Hi-Fi components that take very little current.

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PJ 19 years ago

Would it be feasible for manufacturers to fit loop in and out mains connectors to join equipment together?

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Dave Plowman (News) 19 years ago

Plenty of amps used to fit switched aux mains outlets. As did desk top computers. But they seem to have fallen foul of some reg or another. Or maybe just the bean counters.

Quad at one time did provide a daisy chain mains system using US style 2 pin plugs.

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Owain 19 years ago

My Sony amp has got mains out, but the connector is either a US 3 pin, or a bastard version of an FM 300-ohm aerial connector.

Owain

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Lurch 19 years ago

On Fri, 25 May 2007 12:35:18 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)" mused:

I've made things like that before but non of it is particularly standard, it's loads easier to just do as I usually do now and hang a

4\6 gang lead on the back of the TV and plug everything into it. If the TV is on a stand then you only have 1 lead going from it and everything looks tidy, unless you look closely.

It wouldn't take much to build something into most devices, IEC in and out rather than a lead and plug on each. You could even build seperate outlets into a TV for things that can be turned off when the TV is put into standby and things that can't.

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