Slimline mains plugs?!

[Psykotik]

Does anyone know if there is such a thing?
After extensive Googling I have bought up nothing. It looks like there aren't any as UK plugs have to be a specific depth to accomodate the fuse, but me being me I remain optimistic anyway.

In case you were wondering, I need one as I have just rearranged the room so that I have a wardrobe either side of my desk, but the only accessable power sockets are on the right hand wall beside the wardrobe.
I have just over half an inch of clearance from the wall to utilise as my skirting stands off that far, but the existing plug is just too big :-(

Hope someone can help

Andy

[fivecheebs]

I've never seen any mate! :(

Cant you just move the wardrobe away from the wall slightly?

[Psykotik]

I can't. The only other options I have are cutting a section out of the cupboard and routing the cables through the bottom of the wardrobe or recessing the wall socket into the wall. The latter I can do, but I'd need to get a qualified electrician to come out and certify my work and that costs 60 quid!

The measurements are as follows:

Room width: 193 centimetres (skirting to skirting)

Combined wardrobe width: 72.8 cm

Width of desk: 120 cm

Total width 192.8cm

Pushing it slightly :-(

[fivecheebs]

bugger!

[Psykotik]

Indeed :-( I can't relocate the wall socket either as it is already acting as a spur for a socket downstairs. Argh! Well, if anyone sees a slimline plug, let me know :-(

[Starbuck3733T]

Right angle?

[simon_C]

all UK plugs are right angle...just extremely thick....


see: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000DG4WO.02._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

about the size of a US 220v line

[Starbuck3733T]

all UK plugs are right angle...just extremely thick....


see: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000DG4WO.02._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

about the size of a US 220v line

Aren't you guys lucky?

[ỒĊBłůē]

Swap the socket out for an FCU? :huh:

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

The latter I can do, but I'd need to get a qualified electrician to come out and certify my work and that costs 60 quid!


Why? I thought the only thing you needed an electrician for was working on your consumer unit and meter. You can do any other electrical work yourself. The gf and i (mostly her tbh) did all the electrics in the basement of our house.

[fillip]

Why? I thought the only thing you needed an electrician for was working on your consumer unit and meter. You can do any other electrical work yourself. The gf and i (mostly her tbh) did all the electrics in the basement of our house.

Afaik you can move sockets/add additional sockets without the need for a qualified elec'y.

[Psykotik]

OCBlue: FCU? Enlighten me please, I'm a luddite :o)

T: My dad's been doing electrics for years (he can actually wire up power station lines :eek: ) but hasn't got a certificate, so asked a mate in the trade what the rules were as he is more than happy to guide me on the right path if I FUBAR something but wanted to cover his arse. Apparently I have to get anything over changing a bloody fuse qualified according to the offiial regs. :-(

I'll see if I can disprove this though, seeing as you've not had a problem I'm starting to think my dad's mate is trying to get money for old rope...:angry:

[ỒĊBłůē]

Fused Connection Unit - get a switched, front-entry one.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

That is an excellent suggestion OC and far easier than moving a socket..

[Psykotik]

You mate, deserve a pint :thumb: :more:

[ỒĊBłůē]

Thinking about it some more, the MK one that I've recently picked up has a cable entry in the bottom of the faceplate - pointing down (in the thickness of the plate).

This'd suit you better if you only have 1/2" to play with.

:inno: Waits for Fill or Babs to jump on the comment above.

Hang on... 'Dong! dong! Swings it like a pendulum' - mebbe not :D

[cobalt6700]

dude, you could get a blanking plate for the socket, put a hole in it, then take the plug off the end of a multi socket. hardwire it all in, put the blacking plate over, and bobs your uncle! sorted!

[Psykotik]

That's pretty much what I am doing Cobalt, but I'm gonna use an FCU. Gonna have to wore two up too, just counted the number of electrical appliances requiring power. It's not good, I must be consuming hald the leccy bill on my own!

[Psykotik]

A small update:

I've managed to get hold of some rather fancy looking black nickel switches and sockets for my room but I'm buggered if I can find a double socket FCU let alone a black nickel flatplate one. The nearest I've seen is two single FCU without a cable entry (in black nickel) and a double socket blanking plate. Thinking about it, I could get away with a standard white unit as it's going behind a wardrobe, but I'd like to continue the nickel anyway as I know it's there. If anyone spots a double FCU of any description please let me know!

[ỒĊBłůē]

If all else fails and you want to get a bit more tricky (and expensive), you could always see if you could come up with what you need from MK's modular Grid Plus (http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/PDF/technical/GRID_PLUS_prod.pdf) range.

[Squelch]

I have a couple of ultra slim plugs at home that might work for you, though I'm blown if I can remember the manufacturer.

As soon as I get back I'll check them out.

Do you really need a double?

As you say, it's behind the wardrobe so why not replace the original socket with a blank plate one side, and a fused outlet with bottom entry the other. This can then be surface wired down and along the skirting to a convenient position for a block etc.

[Psykotik]

I could probably get away with having a single at the moment as I'm wiring in my surge protected extension which has 6 sockets (PC, monitor, router, mouse, speakers PSP charger) but I might well have more gadgets to plug in as I'm obsessed :lol:
I thought while I'm there I may as well put two in place so I don't have to move the wardrobe if I need to add another at a later date. (moving a wardrobe in a room that is 9 ft 6 x 6ft 6 is not fun!)

If you could let us know about the manufacturer I'll be muchos gracias Steve mate :-)

Russ: Another good reply, you're a goldmine for useful info so far mate! :thumb:

[Squelch]

If you could let us know about the manufacturer I'll be muchos gracias Steve mate :-)

Russ: Another good reply, you're a goldmine for useful info so far mate! :thumb:Will do.

As far as I can remember the MK modular does come with many options. It's a few years ago, but I had a load of exhibition surplus passed to me which included quite a bit of MK gear. I had brushed stainless items, and very nice they are too. Good call OC.

[GodsUnicorn]

How about a cooker switch ?

You can hard wire your PC and still retain the socket if needed.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=102572&ts=99451&id=48838

[Psykotik]

I thought about that too and found a double size socket with an FCU and a plug socket but I don't have enough space for a plug so I'd have the same problem as I do already. Cheers for looking though :toast:

I'll see what Steve comes up with plug wise. If the plug will fit behind the wardrobe I'll stay with the existing socket.

Cheers guys! :-)

[GodsUnicorn]

If all else fails you could always replace it with a floor socket.

[AWACS]

or cut a hole in the warderobe

[ỒĊBłůē]

Russ: Another good reply, you're a goldmine for useful info so far mate! :thumb:W00t! Useful info for a change :D

(Usually I'm a mine of the useless type)

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

lol Andy how do you fit in a room 9x6? :eek:

Apparently the law changed in november this year and all electrical work is supposed to be signed off by an expert now. :angry:

[ỒĊBłůē]

Are you referring to 'Part P' there Babs, or is there even more red tape and legislation now?

[Psykotik]

lol Andy how do you fit in a room 9x6? :eek:
Not very well (http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=60153#post60153)!

GU: I thought about that, but getting the floorboards up would be a problem as when they built the house they simply used massive boards stretching from one side of the house to the other and then whacked walls on top of them.

AWACS: I'm trying to avoid that even though it is the more logical of thoughts as I don't really wanna butcher them as they're quite nice.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Are you referring to 'Part P' there Babs, or is there even more red tape and legislation now?

I dont know what Part P is. My sister and her bf just bought a new house and were asking about wiring and they mentioned that the law had changed.

[ỒĊBłůē]

[Tongue-in-cheek]For your viewing pleasure; Part P (http://www.partp.co.uk/) [/T-I-C] :-p