Replacing electricity socket faceplates?

Question

I have white plastic electricity double sockets in my living room. I wanted to replace these with more modern looking chrome faceplates. Are these all a standard size, so that I can simply get an electrician to whip off the old plastic ones, and replace with the new chrome ones, while still using the existing backplates?
Also, given the fronts are metal, am I running too much risk that the earthing might fail at some point in the future, and should stick with the plastic?

Answer 1

They should be a standard size. VERY old ones were imperial, but the last 40 years they've all been metric with 3.5mm threaded holes.

Metal sockets inuitively seem dodgy to me, but they are approved so i guess they are save. You would have to have your eath and live fail in order to get a shock off a live socket facia , if you have an RCD you'll be ok.

Before changing out you'd be best to do an earth continuity test on all your ring main circuits.

However, remember that metal sockets are fashionable, right ?

So, by the nature of the word, they will be unfashionable anytime soon. Are you sure you want to do the job again in a couple of years ?

Answer 2

Socket Faceplates

Answer 3

No. You need a circuit allowing current to pass from Live to Neutral (or bleed to Earth) to use electricity. Anything that has a wire connecting the two power lines (or has a connection to the Earth line or an external ground), with any equipment in between, will use electricity. but an unconnected socket is open circuit. Theoretically there may be a minimal transfer through Capacitance or Inductance to some exterior sources, but these shouldn't be measurable, even with sophisticated equipment and this would happen with the switch on or off.

Answer 4

Yes it should be safe and a certified electrician is required to test the earth after doing the work. You suggested getting an electrician to do the work. Stick to that idea, otherwise you are breaking the law. All of the other people answering failed to recognize that but, then again, some of them are in the US where you are allowed to do your own wiring. The job is a fairly straight change and should only cost you the minimum visit charge.

I guess this highlights the danger of yahoo answers, where someone is being encouraged to do something both illegal and dangerous, a poor earth could kill.

Answer 5

You can unscrew the old covers and screw in the new ones. They should fit because there are industry standards that cover the size and shape of electrical outlets in the US.

I don't think there is a risk of the earth ground failing and causing a problem. Just be safe if you decide to do the job on your own.

Answer 6

Yes, the size of electric outlets are all a standard size. Get a small screw driver and remove one of the plates you want to replace and bring it with you to the hardware store if you are unsure. Metal plates are perfectly safe, they would have to put a warning label on them if there was any type of potential harm. And for Gods sake, change them yourself, it only takes a minute or two per outlet and a standard screwdriver is all you should need.

Answer 7

It should all be standard. You can do this yourself - Turn main power circuit breaker / fuse off before you start if you are replacing the switch as well. Very simple to do. Take old switch and plates to hardware store and they will fix you right up with what you need. The only tool you should need is a screw driver.

Answer 8

If you isolate the socket or turn the mains off you can replace them yourself. And yes they are all a standard size. Earthing is not a problem just copy existing connections.

Answer 9

They are all the same size, it will take minutes to change. Don't worry about the earthing, the metal back box should be earthed and then an earth wire goes from the back box to the faceplate.

Answer 10

Yes the faceplates are standard sizes.If you are getting an electrician to change the fronts there should be no problem.