Umair Gaines
Electric wall sockets are essential in any home, but they can be dangerous if not properly secured and protected. Exposed wires can cause electric shocks, and sockets can be damaged by water or spills. To ensure safety, it is important to follow guidelines and use safety devices. UK regulations, for instance, require sockets to conform to the BS1363 standard, which includes shutters to prevent children from accessing live electrical parts. Additionally, weatherproof boxes can protect outdoor sockets from rain and snow, while careful placement of appliances can reduce the risk of water damage. Installing electrical boxes securely is crucial, and it is recommended to carefully plan and cut holes in walls, ensuring a tight fit to avoid damage. Safety covers, such as Socket Pro, can also prevent accidental switching off of power, providing peace of mind for appliances that require a continuous power supply.
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What You'll Learn
Ensure sockets are secured to the wall
Ensuring your electric wall sockets are secured to the wall is an important safety measure. Exposed wires at the back of a loose socket can pose a risk of electric shock and may be vulnerable to damage from liquid spills. It is illegal for landlords to allow tenants to inhabit a property with unfinished electrics, and this would fail an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
If you are installing a new socket, you should ensure it is compliant with local Building Regulations and IEE electrical regulations. Decide where you want to put the new socket, checking for any framework or hidden pipes and cables in the way. Cut a hole in the wall, insert the box, and push in or turn the securing lugs so that they grip the rear face of the wall firmly. Make sure the terminal screws are tight, then replace the cover of the box and turn on the power. Test the socket with a socket tester to ensure it is wired correctly.
If you are a tenant, do not take any chances with your safety. Suggest to your landlord that you will be happy to accept the opinion of a local authority housing inspector. You could also ask your landlord to install a weatherproof box to protect outdoor sockets, which typically have a hinged metal cover and a lid to shield sockets from rain and snow.
To improve the appearance of your sockets, you can install recessed sockets, which are mounted deeper into the wall, reducing protrusion and allowing furniture to sit closer to the wall. You can also use socket covers, which are available in a wide range of designs, including paintable, decorative, and magnetic covers.
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Use Socket Pro Socket Safety Covers
Ensuring that your electric wall sockets are secure is of utmost importance, not only for the safety of your home but also for your peace of mind. While the UK's electrical plugs and sockets are recognised as the safest in the world, meeting the BS1363 standard for child safety, there are additional measures you can take to enhance security and prevent damage.
One highly recommended product is the Socket Pro Socket Safety Covers. These covers are an effective solution to prevent access to electrical sockets, switches, and plugs without interfering with the electrical connections. Unlike traditional socket 'covers', which are actually socket inserts, Socket Pro Safety Covers are genuine covers that fit over electrical outlets. This distinction is crucial because socket inserts, or 'so-called socket-protectors', can be hazardous. Their pin dimensions and manufacturing quality may vary, and if inserted upside down, they can expose electrical connectors. On the other hand, Socket Pro Socket Safety Covers are designed to fit perfectly over your sockets, providing an extra layer of protection without any of the risks associated with socket inserts.
Socket Pro Socket Safety Covers are an excellent choice for a variety of scenarios. For example, they can help prevent accidental power disruptions to essential appliances, such as freezers or septic tank pumps, which require a continuous power supply. They are also ideal for those with young children or elderly family members with dementia, as they prevent little fingers from accessing live electrical parts and stop switches from being accidentally turned off. The covers are easy to fit and are available for both single and double gang sockets, ensuring that you can find the right cover for your needs.
By investing in Socket Pro Socket Safety Covers, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home's electrical sockets are even more secure. These covers provide an additional layer of protection, building upon the already robust safety features of UK electrical sockets. With Socket Pro, you can rest assured that your family, your home, and your appliances are safe from the dangers of accidental power disconnections or unwanted access to live electrical parts.
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Prevent water damage
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Water can cause electrical outlets to short-circuit and even ignite, presenting a serious risk of electrical shock, burns, and short circuits. Water damage to electrical outlets can also cause internal wiring issues, which can be challenging to repair.
To prevent water damage to your electrical wall sockets, you can take the following measures:
- Keep liquids, including alcoholic beverages, away from electrical outlets.
- If you have an outdoor outlet, consider hiring an electrician to install a weatherproof box. These enclosures typically have a hinged metal cover and a lid that shields sockets from rain and snow when not in use.
- For indoor outlets in damp areas, such as kitchens, consider using SocketPro or similar splash-proof socket covers. These covers are designed to protect electrical outlets from liquid splashes and are widely used in schools, colleges, and factories.
- Avoid placing appliances that produce a lot of steam, such as coffee makers, countertop microwave ovens, and humidifiers, directly below or next to an outlet.
- If your outlet does get wet, avoid using it for at least 24 hours. You can use a hairdryer or a wet-dry vacuum to help speed up the drying process, but always unplug the outlet first to avoid damaging the appliance.
- Consider upgrading your outlets to Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) sockets. These sockets are designed to automatically shut off power when water is detected, helping to prevent electrocution or fire.
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Install a weatherproof box for outdoor sockets
If you have an outdoor electrical outlet, it is recommended to install a weatherproof box for protection. This is because exterior outlets have a higher chance of being damaged or causing damage to your home.
- Prepare the necessary tools and materials: Ensure you have the following: a 1-inch drill bit, a 1/4-inch drill bit, a 4-in-1 screwdriver, a drill/driver (cordless), electrical tape, a file, a fish tape, a hammer, a non-contact voltage tester, a stud finder, a wire coat hanger, a wire stripper/cutter, cable clamps, an electrical cable, an exterior electrical box, a GFCI outlet, silicone caulk, a weatherproof box cover, and wire connectors.
- Choose the location for the new outlet: Decide whether you want to place the new outlet in the same stud cavity as an existing indoor outlet or elsewhere. If you choose to place it in the same stud cavity, select the interior outlet you want to use.
- Mark the location for the new outlet: Place the 1/4-inch drill bit along the outside of the electrical box, on the side away from the stud. Squeeze the bit between the box and the drywall, and drill through the wall and siding to mark the location for the new outlet. You can tilt the drill bit downward to lower the outlet location, especially if it's near the ground, as you can hide it behind shrubs.
- Drill the holes: Go outside and drill a 3/4-inch hole in the siding over or near the smaller hole you just created. If that is not where you want the exterior junction box, move it straight up or down, staying in the same stud cavity, and mark the new position. Then, drill a one-inch hole over the smaller hole or the new mark to make room for the cable.
- Feed the cable and secure the outlet: Feed the new cable from the outlet being added into the box before installing it. Wrap the cable with electrical tape where the sheathing meets the exposed wires to allow for easier installation. Cut the cable at the interior box so that 12 inches are sticking out, then remove the sheathing to expose the wires. Cut and strip the insulation off the ends of the wires, fasten the pigtail wires to the outlet, and join the wires with wire connectors. Connect the wires according to their colours to the corresponding screws: bare copper to the ground screw (green), white to the silver terminals, and black to the brass screws. Hook the wires clockwise over the screws as you tighten them.
- Install the weatherproof box: For wood and hardboard siding, drive galvanized deck screws through the mounting lugs. For brick or stucco siding, mount the box with masonry anchors. Fasten plugs into the unused openings of the weatherproof box and seal them with sealing components. Create a weep hole at the bottom edge of the box to allow any water that gets inside to drain.
- Final connections: Attach the ground wire to the green screw in the box and the GFCI outlet. Clip the ears off the outlet, fold the wires into the box, and set the outlet in place.
- Test and cover: Test the outlet to ensure it is functioning properly. Finally, cover the outlet with the weatherproof box cover to shield it from the elements.
By following these steps, you can securely install a weatherproof box for your outdoor electrical outlet, protecting it from rain, snow, and potential damage.
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Comply with local safety standards
In the UK, all electrical sockets must conform to the BS1363 standard, introduced in 1947, to ensure child safety. The standard BS1363-2 applies specifically to electrical sockets, which must be shuttered to prevent children from coming into contact with live electrical parts. The socket holes are designed to be too small for a toddler's fingers.
In the US, local electrical codes usually follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) but can have variations for residential electric wiring. Before doing any electrical work, it is important to check with the building department of your municipality. All lighting must be on either a 15-amp or 20-amp circuit, with the appropriate gauge wire. The code does not set required heights for wall outlets or light switches, but wall-mounted control devices must be located near the room entrance.
To meet building regulations, electrical installations should be designed and installed according to British Standard BS 7671. To ensure the health, safety, and convenience of occupants and visitors, electrical work must be carried out by a certified electrician or checked and certified upon completion. Electrical sockets, switches, and outlets must be positioned so that they are easy to reach for people in wheelchairs or with other disabilities. In standard living areas, wall receptacles should be no further than 12 feet apart, and any section of a wall wider than 2 feet requires a receptacle.
To ensure safety, it is important to have enough sockets in each room to reduce the risk of overloading. If you have an outdoor outlet, consider asking an electrician to install a weatherproof box for protection. This typically includes a hinged metal cover and a lid to shield sockets from rain and snow when not in use.
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Frequently asked questions
The British 13 amp electrical plug and socket is recognised as one of the safest in the world. This is largely due to the safety requirements that were introduced in the 1940s, which aimed to prevent children from coming into contact with live electrical parts.
UK law requires all electrical sockets to conform to the BS1363 standard, which includes shutters that cover the live and neutral socket connectors. This means that additional covers are not required to prevent contact with live electrical contacts. However, if you wish to cover your electrical sockets, Socket Pro Socket Safety Covers are genuine covers that fit over electrical outlets without interfering with electrical connections.
Ask an electrician to install a weatherproof box for protection. This sturdy enclosure typically has a hinged metal cover and a lid that shields sockets from rain and snow when they're not in use.
Ensure that appliances that produce a lot of steam, such as coffee makers, countertop microwave ovens, and humidifiers, are not placed directly below or next to an outlet.
No, it is not safe to use electrical sockets that are not secured to the wall. If the sockets are not secured, the wires at the back may be exposed and could pose a risk of electric shock.
