How do I convert a single electrical socket to a double one? Sparky costs too much!?

Answer 1

Most of the suggestions are good, but if you have limeted experience with ac power you could put the receptacle out of phase or blow a breaker and have to start over again, ususally Black wire goes to the gold colored screw and the white to silver and green to green Cheryl J needs to be informed that a homeowner can do whatever he wants to his house ANYTHING with out a contractor.

Answer 2

I'm a bit confused, are you referring to a "socket" that you screw bulbs into (threaded)? Or are you referring to a "receptacle" that you plug appliances into?
Either way there are "wye" sockets that allow you screw two bulbs into where you only had room for one before. They aren't very pretty, but not expensive and will do the job.
If you are referring to a "receptacle", again there are plug-ins that convert one into three and there are power multi-strips with a short cord that will give you 3- 4- or 6 extra receptacles.
Word of caution the power strips are either switched or always on. Make sure what you get, has a protective breaker in it.
Also use it as a conveinience outlet and don't have everything on or in use at the same time. These are meant to eliminate plugging and unplugging all the time as you use different things.
Recommended use 2 or 3 things at one time and you have more control. A fixed 2-gang receptacle (4- single receptacles) connected thru the same wire that had a 1- gang (place for 2 plugins) should be ok but the only protection is the breaker or fuse in the electrical distribution panel.
Under no circumstances change the breaker to a larger size as the wire for receptacles is usually #12 AWG and only for a 20 amp load (maximum). If it is a redone or older house, it might only be size #14 AWG and that is normally used for lighting circuit and has a load limit of 15 amps. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Firstly, this depends on what you're going to run from the socket.
If you're going to pu 4-gang extensions into both of them and run equipment at the same time, this may overload your socket. Which would at leat trip your circuit and at worst be a fire hazard.

Really though, it should be fine to do a straight swap.
First - turn off electricity at the fusebox.
Then unscrew the single socket form the wall.
The socket will be wired in. Note where each wire goes and the symbol / letter near the connection.
Now look in the hole, theres a metal (or poss. plastic) box that must be removed. These are sometimes screwed into a joist or clipped in.
At B&Q or wherever, you need to get a box like this (but the bigger one for a double socket obviously) and the double socket front.
Be careful when making the hole bigger (if you make it too big the box won't fit properly and it's a nightmare to fix the wall up) make the new hole a snug fit and fix in the box (the wires should be fed through the side/top/bottom as they were in the old single box. then re-attach the wires as per the markings (it should be just the same as the old one) and fix the socket front back on. Turn your leccy on and pluc something into both sockets to test (use a hoover incase you've wired it wrong - if you blow something up, you don't want it to be your new plasma screen!)
Job's a good 'un!

Answer 4

Changing from a single, to a double, varies on the construction of your walls or if surfaced mounted. The easiest way, is go to your local diy, or electrical outlet/wholesalers. You can buy a simple kit with instruction, for about 10-15 pounds to convert a single to a double. Without the need for chasing out a larger box.

Answer 5

In UK where I think you are I would suggest buying a special outlet that converts a single into a double. Talk to an older person at B &Q at the electrical counter. They are a doddle to fit, but you must turn off the supply.. I think they are called "Converta"

Answer 6

Will the "new" double socket be surface mounted or the box which holds the socket sunk into the wall?

For surface mounting purchase a surface mounted 2 gang box remove 1-gang socket (!!!!POWER SUPPLY OFF!!!!) put 2 gang box over 1 gang metal box screw to wall feed wires through into surface box connect up RED or Brown----live, Black or Blue---neutral, Yellow/green---earth---sleeve if wire is bare.

Check and double check all connections screw socket to box switch on power supply test socket.

If two sets of wires go to each connection LIVE/NEUTRAL/EARTH then it should be on a ring circuit.

Answer 7

You can buy a socket from B&Q which converts the single into a double, ist about £2.00

Answer 8

Buy a socket converta from Screwfix or similar. It will convert single sockets to double, or double sockets to triple. If you are confident to change plug - you can easily do this.

Answer 9

simple, u just need to buy a double socket and backing and of couse make the hole bigger in the wall.
then refit the old wires to the new socket!
its pretty straight forward, but remember always turn the power off before you start!!

Answer 10

You can buy a socket converter from most good DIY stores & they come with full instructions on how to fit them