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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Combined back boxes
Owing to limited wall space in certain areas of my kitchen rewire I need to get various sockets and switches in line with each other and as close as possible. I have come across a number of back boxes that will take a number of accessories eg.
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP335.html Just to complicate matters domestic management wants chrome accessories but I note that these type of boxes are only to be used with white plastic versions. Is there some reason for this and is it a safety issue? Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? Richard |
#2
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Combined back boxes
On Saturday, 12 October 2019 09:56:56 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? No they don't. Even white plastics can vary a bit. I would use ordinary metal boxes joined with conduit couplers and male bushes. That will get you even spacing with a small gap between. Owain |
#3
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 09:56, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Owing to limited wall space in certain areas of my kitchen rewire I need to get various sockets and switches in line with each other and as close as possible. I have come across a number of back boxes that will take a number of accessories eg. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP335.html Just to complicate matters domestic management wants chrome accessories but I note that these type of boxes are only to be used with white plastic versions. Is there some reason for this and is it a safety issue? Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? I suspect TLC are playing safe there. The combined back boxes can't be used with some fittings which are larger than the usual 86x86 mm - eg some of the "flat plate screwless" ones. But I have used one with metal ones which are the bog standard size. Adam posted some time ago a method of dealing with ones which are too big for a dual box. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/%22Dual$20Back$20Box%22/uk.d-i-y/FpZZ5dWIb9I/dejQQCfl0ksJ -- Robin reply-to address is (intended to be) valid |
#4
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Combined back boxes
That link does not work for me Robin.
Richard |
#5
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Combined back boxes
I have used these before to link individual boxes but only with white plastic accessories, got to say it does a neat job. I cannot say what difference there might be in the spacings doing it this way or getting a combined box?
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP604.html Richard |
#6
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 11:16, Tricky Dicky wrote:
That link does not work for me Robin. Richard Use two single back boxes. To line them up you just need a piece of wood between the two boxes that is the exact width needed to keep the face plates apart. You need to put the faceplates onto the back boxes put them side by side and measure the gap between the back boxes, cut a piece of wood to match and fit the back boxes into the wall with the wood in place. Adam |
#7
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Combined back boxes
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#8
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 11:16, Tricky Dicky wrote:
That link does not work for me Robin. Richard try https://groups.google.com/d/msg/uk.d...I/JSu3wK9x7VwJ -- Robin reply-to address is (intended to be) valid |
#9
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 11:16, Tricky Dicky wrote:
That link does not work for me Robin. Richard https://tinyurl.com/yxuehacz -- mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk |
#10
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Combined back boxes
I can see how the packing piece of wood works especially on an unplastered wall where a temporary piece of wood can be attached to act as a datum whilst installing. However installing the boxes individually with just a packer in between still has the potential for some vertical misalignment.
When putting three double sockets in a line behind our TV unit I used two steel strips pop rivetted to the back of the boxes which if I remember correctly were spaced 15mm apart, worked a treat. I am just looking for a simple but accurate means of aligning a number of sockets and switches as the walls will be tiled and nothing shows up dodgy or unlevel alignment than tiles! I suppose as someone has pointed out there can be some variation in metal faceplates especially the low profile type. We actually intend to use profiled accessories so it will probably mean checking dimensions and suck it and see. If I have to try out a few back boxes so be it they are not the most expensive items in this rewire. Richard |
#11
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 12:04, Tricky Dicky wrote:
I can see how the packing piece of wood works especially on an unplastered wall where a temporary piece of wood can be attached to act as a datum whilst installing. However installing the boxes individually with just a packer in between still has the potential for some vertical misalignment. When putting three double sockets in a line behind our TV unit I used two steel strips pop rivetted to the back of the boxes which if I remember correctly were spaced 15mm apart, worked a treat. I am just looking for a simple but accurate means of aligning a number of sockets and switches as the walls will be tiled and nothing shows up dodgy or unlevel alignment than tiles! I suppose as someone has pointed out there can be some variation in metal faceplates especially the low profile type. We actually intend to use profiled accessories so it will probably mean checking dimensions and suck it and see. If I have to try out a few back boxes so be it they are not the most expensive items in this rewire. Richard Spirit level, fix batten to wall, fit back boxes against batten, remove batten. |
#12
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Combined back boxes
In article ,
wrote: On Saturday, 12 October 2019 09:56:56 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote: Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? No they don't. Even white plastics can vary a bit. I would use ordinary metal boxes joined with conduit couplers and male bushes. That will get you even spacing with a small gap between. IIRC, TLC sell coupling bits to allow two boxes to be fixed at the minimum distance. Easier than using conduit couplers. -- *Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#13
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Combined back boxes
One slight issue with those couplers Dave. They only work on fixed lug boxes! You can get them to hold boxes with one fixed and one moving lug by turning one box upside down and using the two fixed lugs but two boxes are your limit.
Richard |
#14
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 09:56, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Owing to limited wall space in certain areas of my kitchen rewire I need to get various sockets and switches in line with each other and as close as possible. I have come across a number of back boxes that will take a number of accessories eg. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP335.html Just to complicate matters domestic management wants chrome accessories but I note that these type of boxes are only to be used with white plastic versions. Is there some reason for this and is it a safety issue? Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? Scolmore New Media? -- Adam |
#15
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Combined back boxes
On Saturday, 12 October 2019 09:56:56 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Owing to limited wall space in certain areas of my kitchen rewire I need to get various sockets and switches in line with each other and as close as possible. I have come across a number of back boxes that will take a number of accessories eg. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP335.html Just to complicate matters domestic management wants chrome accessories but I note that these type of boxes are only to be used with white plastic versions. Is there some reason for this and is it a safety issue? Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? How about these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Switched-Fu.../dp/B01CUMH54E |
#17
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 11:26, GB wrote:
On 12/10/2019 11:16, Tricky Dicky wrote: That link does not work for me Robin. Richard Use two single back boxes. To line them up you just need a piece of wood between the two boxes that is the exact width needed to keep the face plates apart. You need to put the faceplates onto the back boxes put them side by side and measure the gap between the back boxes, cut a piece of wood to match and fit the back boxes into the wall with the wood in place. At the time I had a retired neighbour that lived opposite me that liked to keep himself busy. He used to make them for me. He passed away some years ago. The sort of bloke who would take your wheelie bin back in whilst you were out at work or take it out if you were working away (without having to ask him). -- Adam |
#18
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Combined back boxes
On 13/10/2019 08:37, harry wrote:
On Saturday, 12 October 2019 09:56:56 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote: Owing to limited wall space in certain areas of my kitchen rewire I need to get various sockets and switches in line with each other and as close as possible. I have come across a number of back boxes that will take a number of accessories eg. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP335.html Just to complicate matters domestic management wants chrome accessories but I note that these type of boxes are only to be used with white plastic versions. Is there some reason for this and is it a safety issue? Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? How about these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Switched-Fu.../dp/B01CUMH54E And the can of chrome spray paint? -- Adam |
#19
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Combined back boxes
On 12/10/2019 09:56, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Owing to limited wall space in certain areas of my kitchen rewire I need to get various sockets and switches in line with each other and as close as possible. I have come across a number of back boxes that will take a number of accessories eg. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AP335.html Just to complicate matters domestic management wants chrome accessories but I note that these type of boxes are only to be used with white plastic versions. Is there some reason for this and is it a safety issue? Do the dimensions of metal faceplates not conform to a standard like the white plastic versions? I am sure what you linked to would work with some chrome switches and sockets (eg the CLICK DECO stuff without it's plastic trim and some Volex chrome stuff) The majority of chrome stuff however seems to be wider than the white stuff. -- Adam |
#20
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Combined back boxes
y.
He used to make them for me. He passed away some years ago. The sort of bloke who would take your wheelie bin back in whilst you were out at work or take it out if you were working away (without having to ask him). We should all try to be that neighbour whilst we can. |
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