Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons).
Something like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards
the wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather a
lot from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket could
come flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the socket' space
and wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

"Rod" wrote in message
...
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons). Something
like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards the
wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather a lot
from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket could come
flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the socket' space and
wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

Nope, but i'm not stupid enough to go pushing down on the ends of the socket
in the first place, and if i did and broke it, i wouldent go sticking my
fingers in the back to see what happens.

if it bothers you, don't buy one, but dont kick up a fuss to get them banned
for those of us who can use them properly

gazz wrote:

"Rod" wrote in message
...
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons).
Something like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards
the wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather
a lot from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket
could come flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the
socket' space and wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or
should be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

Nope, but i'm not stupid enough to go pushing down on the ends of the
socket in the first place, and if i did and broke it, i wouldent go
sticking my fingers in the back to see what happens.

if it bothers you, don't buy one, but dont kick up a fuss to get them
banned for those of us who can use them properly

I sincerely doubt anything I say here will have the least effect on
anything - certainly not enough to cause them to be banned.

I wasn't really thinking of doing so out of stupidity - more as the
result of either accidentally applying too much force or even in normal use.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:42:39 +0100, Rod
wrote:


I sincerely doubt anything I say here will have the least effect on
anything - certainly not enough to cause them to be banned.

I wasn't really thinking of doing so out of stupidity - more as the
result of either accidentally applying too much force or even in normal use.

I had one and the 3.5 mm screws kept on coming loose, partly perhaps
because the wall behind it wasn't flat and it didn't sit flush
against the wall over all it's area.

IME the 3.5mm drilled and tapped holes in wall boxes are frequently
oversize especially if they've been rusty and the screws removed and
replaced a few times.

All in all it was a nasty bodge.

Derek

"Derek" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:42:39 +0100, Rod
wrote:


I sincerely doubt anything I say here will have the least effect on
anything - certainly not enough to cause them to be banned.

I wasn't really thinking of doing so out of stupidity - more as the
result of either accidentally applying too much force or even in normal
use.

I had one and the 3.5 mm screws kept on coming loose, partly perhaps
because the wall behind it wasn't flat and it didn't sit flush
against the wall over all it's area.

IME the 3.5mm drilled and tapped holes in wall boxes are frequently
oversize especially if they've been rusty and the screws removed and
replaced a few times.

All in all it was a nasty bodge.

Derek


Some people can't insert a plug without thumping it. I agree some additional
support should be given.

gazz wrote:

"Rod" wrote in message
...
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons).
Something like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards
the wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather
a lot from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket
could come flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the
socket' space and wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or
should be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

Nope, but i'm not stupid enough to go pushing down on the ends of the
socket in the first place, and if i did and broke it, i wouldent go
sticking my fingers in the back to see what happens.

if it bothers you, don't buy one, but dont kick up a fuss to get them
banned for those of us who can use them properly
you might not stupid enough but to a four year old ???

--
Kevin R
Reply address works

On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:28:54 +0100, Kevin wrote:

you might not stupid enough but to a four year old ???

A four year old with half decent parents already knows that fiddling with
power sockets is strictly verboten. If people can't be bothered to educate
their off spring to the dangers of modern living from the moment they pop
into the world they only have themselves to blame if little Johny gets
hurt.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Rod" wrote in message
...
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons). Something
like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards the
wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather a lot
from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket could come
flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the socket' space and
wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?


I would be reluctant to use anything like that.
I'm not sure that it is wise to encourage the uninitiated
public to remove even one screw of a fixed socket
in order to secure the adapter with a longer one.
(I'm guessing that's how it works).
What happens when they remove the adapter and can't
find the original screw? the socket remains in a dangerous
condition indefinably I suppose.
I don't like the traditional "block" adapters also.

A 4 or 6 way trailing strip is the best option, perhaps
one with a short cable that can me fastened to the wall
next to the parent socket.
--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

find the original screw? the socket remains in a dangerous
condition indefinably I suppose.

Indefinitely. Damn spull chuckers.


--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

Graham. wrote:
"Rod" wrote in message
...
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons). Something
like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards the
wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather a lot
from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket could come
flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the socket' space and
wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?


I would be reluctant to use anything like that.
I'm not sure that it is wise to encourage the uninitiated
public to remove even one screw of a fixed socket
in order to secure the adapter with a longer one.
(I'm guessing that's how it works).
What happens when they remove the adapter and can't
find the original screw? the socket remains in a dangerous
condition indefinably I suppose.
I don't like the traditional "block" adapters also.

A 4 or 6 way trailing strip is the best option, perhaps
one with a short cable that can me fastened to the wall
next to the parent socket.

That is pretty much what I had decided - either do the job properly or
use a multiway trailing socket thingy of some sort.

I wanted to check it wasn't just me being a bit iffy about them.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Rod saying
something like:


At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

I've fitted a few of the double ones and had no problems, but if doing
triples or quads I think I'd put an extra pair of screws through into
the wall near the ends (depening on the structure of the socket) or just
a dab of glue at a minimum.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:
We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Rod saying
something like:


At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

I've fitted a few of the double ones and had no problems, but if doing
triples or quads I think I'd put an extra pair of screws through into
the wall near the ends (depening on the structure of the socket) or just
a dab of glue at a minimum.

The quad had two sockets overhanging to the left. Hence, around 150mm
between the extreme end of the device and the first screw, 200mm to the
second. Allows quite substantial leverage.

I did not see any possibility of adding screws at the ends without
drilling through. But, as it was in a plastic bubble-type package, and I
didn't open it up, I can't be sure there are no pre-drilled or at least
pre-defined places for holes.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Rod wrote:


The quad had two sockets overhanging to the left. Hence, around 150mm
between the extreme end of the device and the first screw, 200mm to the
second. Allows quite substantial leverage.

That should, of course, have read "230mm to the second"! (I'll learn to
type one day.)


--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

The message
from Rod contains these words:


The quad had two sockets overhanging to the left. Hence, around 150mm
between the extreme end of the device and the first screw, 200mm to the
second. Allows quite substantial leverage.

I did not see any possibility of adding screws at the ends without
drilling through. But, as it was in a plastic bubble-type package, and I
didn't open it up, I can't be sure there are no pre-drilled or at least
pre-defined places for holes.

The Screwfix 4-gang ones can be fitted over either a single-gang or a
two-gang box and there are appropriate mounting holes in the front to
allow for eithe eventuality.

If fitted over a two-gang box then clearly there is only one socket
"overhanging" the edge of the box.

If fitted over a single-gang box, then a fine screw can be put through
the mounting hole which would have been used had there been a two-gang
box behind. There are plastic plugs provided to cover the screwheads.

"Appin" wrote in message
...
The message
from Rod contains these words:


The quad had two sockets overhanging to the left. Hence, around 150mm
between the extreme end of the device and the first screw, 200mm to the
second. Allows quite substantial leverage.

I did not see any possibility of adding screws at the ends without
drilling through. But, as it was in a plastic bubble-type package, and I
didn't open it up, I can't be sure there are no pre-drilled or at least
pre-defined places for holes.

The Screwfix 4-gang ones can be fitted over either a single-gang or a
two-gang box and there are appropriate mounting holes in the front to
allow for eithe eventuality.

If fitted over a two-gang box then clearly there is only one socket
"overhanging" the edge of the box.

If fitted over a single-gang box, then a fine screw can be put through
the mounting hole which would have been used had there been a two-gang
box behind. There are plastic plugs provided to cover the screwheads.

I fitted one over a double box this morning, it is as firm as they come.
If someone does manage to pull it off the wall then they would probably have
broken the original double.
I worry about how well fixed your back boxes are if you think they wont hold
one of these.

Rod wrote:
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons).
Something like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards
the wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather
a lot from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket
could come flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the
socket' space and wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or
should be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

The screws were 4BA, then M3.5.
I've never heard of 3.5BA...

"Martin Crossley" wrote in message
et...
Rod wrote:
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons).
Something like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards
the wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather
a lot from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket
could come flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the
socket' space and wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or
should be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

The screws were 4BA, then M3.5.
I've never heard of 3.5BA...

Back-box screws are 3.5mm, I suspect there might be a
historical reason for this oddity.

--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

Martin Crossley wrote:
snip
The screws were 4BA, then M3.5.
I've never heard of 3.5BA...


Yes - got my fingers crossed. :-)

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

"Rod" wrote in message
...
Today I noticed a four gang 'converter' socket (in Wilkinsons).
Something like Screwfix product number 46085 - with an extra gang.

I couldn't help thinking that though it might be electrically
satisfactory, it has definite mechanical problems. For example, the
leverage achieved by pushing the end of the socket (up, down, towards
the wall or away from it - or any combination) could be asking rather a
lot from a little 3.5 BA screw. If they give way, the whole socket could
come flying away or simply allow access to the 'behind the socket' space
and wiring.

At least with a standard socket, even surface mounted, it is (or should
be) properly screwed to a wall at both ends.

Anyone else have reservations about this type of socket?

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

It's difficult to tell from the picture on the Screwfix website, but I
bought something like this from Wickes recently, and it had a hole at each
corner of the backbox so that it could be fixed to the wall with wallplugs.
I suspect a lot of bogders won't bother to use them. Once fixed with screws
through these holes it was quite solid. The backbox did seem flimsier than
normal backboxes, perhaps it was made from a thermoplastic rather than
thermosetting material, so it definitely did need the extra fixings.