double socket to single

tom_tarbucket

Hi,

I have an external double socket fitted.

I want to replace the external double socket

Does it have to be replaced with another double socket or can a single socket be used?

(from the point of view of wiring, spare wires, dimensions etc)

2011

You could expect that a single socket of the same type would be approximately half the size. It would be wired exactly the same. The question is, why not have a double socket ?

GreeBo

^
+1
Anywhere you need one socket you could always do with 2.
The only reason to use a single is for aesthetics, which really doesnt matter when talking about weatherproof boxes IMO.

tom_tarbucket

2011 wrote: »

You could expect that a single socket of the same type would be approximately half the size. It would be wired exactly the same. The question is, why not have a double socket ?

hi, to be honest, I dont need a double socket

GreeBo

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

hi, to be honest, I dont need a double socket

Are you trying to save money by only buying a single or whats the reason for not replacing like with like?

In fact, why are you replacing it, is it broken?

tom_tarbucket

GreeBo wrote: »

Are you trying to save money by only buying a single or whats the reason for not replacing like with like?

In fact, why are you replacing it, is it broken?

I just prefer the look of the single one and its just neater, I have never even used the other socket in the double setup.

all I am asking is if the single will work on the double socket wiring etc

2011

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

I just prefer the look of the single one and its just neater, I have never even used the other socket in the double setup.

all I am asking is if the single will work on the double socket wiring etc

That's fair enough. Just be aware that you may find that the wall is discoloured behind the double socket which will no longer be fully covered by the single socket. There may also be holes drilled to fix the double socket in place that will also now be exposed. These minor issues can of course be resolved, but it is better to be aware of them before proceeding.

Maewyn Succat

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

I just prefer the look of the single one and its just neater, I have never even used the other socket in the double setup.

all I am asking is if the single will work on the double socket wiring etc

What is the socket screwed to at the minute...straight to the wall or to a box?

tom_tarbucket

Maewyn Succat wrote: »

What is the socket screwed to at the minute...straight to the wall or to a box?

Hi. Straight to the wall. Why?

Maewyn Succat

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Hi. Straight to the wall. Why?

A double socket is around 146mm in length. A single socket is around 86 mm in length so there is roughly a 60mm difference in length. This is your problem, not the wiring. The wiring is the same for a single or a double socket.
If you were to do a straight swap then you will have a 60mm gap. As you have said the socket is screwed directly to the wall this means the box for the socket has been chased into the wall. It's possible to replace the double box with a single box and then fill the 30mm either side of it with cement and paint it(or whatever finish is on the wall at present) but to be honest is it really worth the hassle?

GreeBo

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

I just prefer the look of the single one and its just neater, I have never even used the other socket in the double setup.

all I am asking is if the single will work on the double socket wiring etc

I'd save myself the hassle and just buy a nicer looking double socket tbh.

FishOnABike

GreeBo wrote: »

I'd save myself the hassle and just buy a nicer looking double socket tbh.

I'd save myself the hassle and expense and just leave the existing double socket where it is. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

tom_tarbucket

Maewyn Succat wrote: »

A double socket is around 146mm in length. A single socket is around 86 mm in length so there is roughly a 60mm difference in length. This is your problem, not the wiring. The wiring is the same for a single or a double socket.
If you were to do a straight swap then you will have a 60mm gap. As you have said the socket is screwed directly to the wall this means the box for the socket has been chased into the wall. It's possible to replace the double box with a single box and then fill the 30mm either side of it with cement and paint it(or whatever finish is on the wall at present) but to be honest is it really worth the hassle?

Hi. Not sure what you mean by filling the wall and all this. Attached is what it looks like.
Just screwed in to the wall.

tom_tarbucket

Maewyn Succat wrote: »

A double socket is around 146mm in length. A single socket is around 86 mm in length so there is roughly a 60mm difference in length. This is your problem, not the wiring. The wiring is the same for a single or a double socket.
If you were to do a straight swap then you will have a 60mm gap. As you have said the socket is screwed directly to the wall this means the box for the socket has been chased into the wall. It's possible to replace the double box with a single box and then fill the 30mm either side of it with cement and paint it(or whatever finish is on the wall at present) but to be honest is it really worth the hassle?

Hi. Not sure what you mean by filling the wall with cement and all this. Attached is what it looks like.
Just screwed in to the wall.

tom_tarbucket

Maewyn Succat wrote: »

A double socket is around 146mm in length. A single socket is around 86 mm in length so there is roughly a 60mm difference in length. This is your problem, not the wiring. The wiring is the same for a single or a double socket.
If you were to do a straight swap then you will have a 60mm gap. As you have said the socket is screwed directly to the wall this means the box for the socket has been chased into the wall. It's possible to replace the double box with a single box and then fill the 30mm either side of it with cement and paint it(or whatever finish is on the wall at present) but to be honest is it really worth the hassle?

Hi.
Not sure what you mean by filling the wall with cement and chasing and all this. Attached is what it looks like.
Just screwed in to the wall.

JMR

It is an exterior socket, so there won't be a box chased into the wall, although I can't see the picture the OP attached.

To answer the original question, which has already been answered a few times, wiring is the exact same.

I won't answer the questions which you didn't ask but if you did ask, I would answer as per previous posters and leave well enough alone or replace double with a new double.
Just realised that I have now also answered questions which you didn't ask :rolleyes:

tom_tarbucket

sorry for the repeat posts, was trying to post a picture and keep it under size

JMR

Seriously, you must have a very short 'To Do List'?
Leave well enough alone, you may find yourself needing a second socket in the future.

Maewyn Succat

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Hi.
Not sure what you mean by filling the wall with cement and chasing and all this. Attached is what it looks like.
Just screwed in to the wall.

This is why I asked how it's fixed to the wall. You said it's screwed straight to the wall but in the picture it is screwed to a box. Ignore what I said.

GreeBo

Based on the picture you can replace it with any size you want, but it's a total waste of time and money as that looks perfect to me already.

colm_mcm

Put the effort into pressure washing instead

Maewyn Succat

colm_mcm wrote: »

Put the effort into pressure washing instead

The socket is definitely not the worst looking thing in the picture ðŸ˜

2011

i Think this thread has run its course.