In article et,
Dave Liquorice wrote:
A '''pattress''' is

Possibly not a word. At least my Concise OED doesn't have it (the
online OED is subscription) niether do a couple of other online
dictionaries. There is a wikipedia entry but that is wikipedia, pass
the salt, thank you.

However I have used the word, so it does "exist" but I use it to mean a
multiple outlet flex mounted trailing socket. What this article
describes I would call a "back box".

Yes - go into any wholesaler in London and you'd get a blank look if
asking for a pattress. And from my spell checker. ;-)

My opinion is it was those wood plates older surface mounted switches
were fixed to. So the nearest modern equivalent would be those rare
spacers which go between backing box and fitting - sometimes called
mounting frames.

I'd stick to backing box - that qualified by the material, size and type
will get you what's needed anywhere
Like metal flush 35mm 2 gang backing box

--
*A fool and his money are soon partying *

Dave Plowman London SW
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