Changing an outdoor plug, how to house It?

NIMAN

I have a double plug in my front garden, it's there 20 years I think and taken a battering over the years.

I want to replace it, but want to try to protect it from the elements somehow.

It was originally just mounted on a piece of wood that was shaped to have a spike and simply stuck in the garden.

I had the idea of maybe housing it in something more solid and which would provide a bit of cover and protection?

Anyone any ideas? Perhaps just a few bricks thrown together in a U shape and bolt it to back wall?

https://flic.kr/p/2iMmaxz

https://flic.kr/p/2iMgJaQ

Harry Palmr

I'd get a new plug unit for a start.screwfix have a range

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/outdoor-sockets/cat3360008.

I take it the cable is well protected and goes underground.

In theory all you would need to do is find a suitable sized piece of treated timber to fix it to. Much like you already have. I suppose you could buy some bricks and mortar and construct a small shelter. A small steel enclosure box would look the tidiest. Something like this.

https://www.expertelectrical.co.uk/metal-plastic-enclosures/hylec-metal-enclosures-ip66

NIMAN

Harry Palmr wrote: »

I'd get a new plug unit for a start.screwfix have a range

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/outdoor-sockets/cat3360008.

I take it the cable is well protected and goes underground.

In theory all you would need to do is find a suitable sized piece of treated timber to fix it to. Much like you already have. I suppose you could buy some bricks and mortar and construct a small shelter. A small steel enclosure box would look the tidiest. Something like this.

https://www.expertelectrical.co.uk/metal-plastic-enclosures/hylec-metal-enclosures-ip66

Cheers Harry

Yeah I have already bought a new box from screwfix.

The cable is coming up from underground and is still working fine, it's just that the 20 years has left the current one in bad nick, as you can see. That's why I wouldn't want the new one out in the open, unprotected again.

I have never seen those type of metal boxes before, might be what I'm looking for. I assume you'd need to lay something solid like a couple of bricks to bolt it on to?

Harry Palmr

I have to say I'd not be mad keen to even have a box stood out on the grass, but as for securing I'd look for two long mounting plates, bolt on the box and push into the soil.

How about sawing one of these in two?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bookcase-strips-1000-x-16mm-10-pack/23466

NIMAN

Funny when you linked to the metal box I thought about some way of getting it into the air a little, so it would be off the ground.

I could then put down some weed cloth and coloured stone under it to dress it a little.

Harry Palmr

A feature! (you can put a pink flamingo either side!)

Turbulent Bill

I'd avoid a metal box. Even though the Screwfix socket will be well insulated, you still have a 20 year old cable feeding into it. A potentially perished cable insulator and a conducting box isn't a good combo.

Harry Palmr

I was going to mention using a good thick grommet where the cable goes into the box and into the socket set.

Plastic enclosures

https://www.expertelectrical.co.uk/hylec-abs-enclosures

Hocus Focus

When you have renewed the (treated) timber mounting and installed the new outdoor socket, get an old rectangular kitchen sink and cut the end off it. This can then be screwed onto the back of the timber mounting so as to form a hood over the top, back and sides of the socket. You may have to replace this every few years, if it deteriorates due to exposure to the elements.
If you can install the socket so that it it faces northwest it will face away from the weather and direct sunlight.

NIMAN

Hocus Focus wrote: »

When you have renewed the (treated) timber mounting and installed the new outdoor socket, get an old rectangular kitchen sink and cut the end off it. This can then be screwed onto the back of the timber mounting so as to form a hood over the top, back and sides of the socket. You may have to replace this every few years, if it deteriorates due to exposure to the elements.
If you can install the socket so that it it faces northwest it will face away from the weather and direct sunlight.

Thanks for the suggestion, but it doesn't sound the most aesthetically pleasing?

You ever seen it done?

I tried the bricks today, not an option. Too bulky looking.

Think I'll likely go with a plastic box when I finally get round to it.

49801

Faux hollow rock
Or planter with a false bottom as cover

Hocus Focus

NIMAN wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion, but it doesn't sound the most aesthetically pleasing?

You ever seen it done?

I tried the bricks today, not an option. Too bulky looking.

Think I'll likely go with a plastic box when I finally get round to it.

TBH I haven't seen this, but It seems like a practical solution.
Mine are built into a wall, so a big job when it comes time for replacement.

aido79

NIMAN wrote: »

I have a double plug in my front garden, it's there 20 years I think and taken a battering over the years.

I want to replace it, but want to try to protect it from the elements somehow.

It was originally just mounted on a piece of wood that was shaped to have a spike and simply stuck in the garden.

I had the idea of maybe housing it in something more solid and which would provide a bit of cover and protection?

Anyone any ideas? Perhaps just a few bricks thrown together in a U shape and bolt it to back wall?

https://flic.kr/p/2iMmaxz

https://flic.kr/p/2iMgJaQ

I'd probably get 2 pieces of unistrut cut to desired length and concrete them into the ground. Then fix the socket to them using spring nuts. It's probably best to fix the unistruts to the socket first, put them in the to make sure they line up properly and then pour the concrete in.You could then paint the whole thing green or something to make it blend in.
I'd also put some protection around the cable between the ground and the entry to the socket which should be a gland.

Hocus Focus

aido79 wrote: »

I'd probably get 2 pieces of unistrut cut to desired length and concrete them into the ground. Then fix the socket to them using spring nuts. It's probably best to fix the unistruts to the socket first, put them in the to make sure they line up properly and then pour the concrete in.You could then paint the whole thing green or something to make it blend in.
I'd also put some protection around the cable between the ground and the entry to the socket which should be a gland.

Anyone doing this should know that Unistrut is galvanised and thus will not accept paint readily. The best way around this is to first coat it with an etch primer, or Hammerite Special Metals Primer, before applying a few coats of good outdoor gloss paint. Hammerite is probably the best for this particular job. (No connection with Hammerite)

aido79

Hocus Focus wrote: »

Anyone doing this should know that Unistrut is galvanised and thus will not accept paint readily. The best way around this is to first coat it with an etch primer, or Hammerite Special Metals Primer, before applying a few coats of good outdoor gloss paint. Hammerite is probably the best for this particular job. (No connection with Hammerite)

That's true and I should have mentioned it. Anytime I've painted unistrut it's been with a 2 part epoxy but your way is probably better for colour choice.

NIMAN

So you guys think its just ok to have the socket exposed to the elements, forget about housing it inside anything?

aido79

NIMAN wrote: »

So you guys think its just ok to have the socket exposed to the elements, forget about housing it inside anything?

Only if it's one of these or similar:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/outdoor-sockets/cat3360008

as recommended earlier in the thread. These are designed for outdoor use. The socket will not be exposed to the elements only the outer casing will be.

NIMAN

Yip it's one of those. Ip66.

Maybe I'll just mount it on a piece of wood again, like it was all them years ago by the previous owner.

Harry Palmr

Ah such a disappointment A vision thwarted!

NIMAN

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Ah such a disappointment A vision thwarted!

I said maybe Harry!

I appreciate that they are hardy units, but I still think housing it in one of those box things you listed would make it last.

As can be seen from the state of it in the pictures, the years it has been in situ have been hard on it.