Customer wants round back boxes and round sockets, round everything!

[wolfatswtch]

Apologies, it took a while to get registered on this forum, so the reply I wrote earlier is already a bit behind the times!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hi there, I work for Swtch - happy to answer your questions as best as I can. We have quite a few bits of information on fitting round boxes, such as a couple of videos from the manufacturer of the boxes. As you probably know, round boxes are the norm in most European countries, so there is a wealth of experience and tools available. Probably best if you get in touch via [email protected] and we'll send you some more specific links.

Is it only solid walls you need to fit the switches/sockets in, or do you have plasterboard ones too? Drilling a round hole in board for each box is actually much quicker, but in brick it's obviously a different matter. Those "Klemmfix" clamps are very useful, as @snowhead mentioned.

We'll that's a bit of luck .
Another question has popped up after watching the video clip.
I think most of the boxes will be going into brick walls. It looks like the plastic rings that go around the box stop the box from initially being flush with the wall. They seem to stick out about 10mm. This then gets plastered in.
What happens if the majority of walls are not being plastered? Just the chases and sockets being plastered in. It seems a bit crazy that you have to plaster an entire wall if you are just fitting one new socket into it.

 

[kropaske]

Those clips are only suitable when wall is dot and dab or fully plastered afterwards, otherwise set your boxes flush using bonding/foam/screws or whatever you prefer

 

[James]

Surely if fitting in a wall, (solid) instead of having to bolster out a rectangle it is easier to core drill a round hole to depth and then break the core out.

 

[wolfatswtch]

We'll that's a bit of luck .
Another question has popped up after watching the video clip.
I think most of the boxes will be going into brick walls. It looks like the plastic rings that go around the box stop the box from initially being flush with the wall. They seem to stick out about 10mm. This then gets plastered in.
What happens if the majority of walls are not being plastered? Just the chases and sockets being plastered in. It seems a bit crazy that you have to plaster an entire wall if you are just fitting one new socket into it.

As @kropaske says, they are really intended for walls that are going to be plastered afterwards. But I had a quick search on a couple of German electricians' forums and a few people there say that they use the Klemmfix clamps for unplastered finishes too, by cutting off the 4 little "grabber" hooks once the box is in:

As for your comment about the boxes being perfectly level, the advantage of round boxes is of course that you can rotate them a bit (until the bonding has set). Also, the switch/socket inserts can still be rotated as well before tightening the screws:

Hope that helps!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

As @kropaske says, they are really intended for walls that are going to be plastered afterwards. But I had a quick search on a couple of German electricians' forums and a few people there say that they use the Klemmfix clamps for unplastered finishes too, by cutting off the 4 little "grabber" hooks once the box is in:

View attachment 98885

As for your comment about the boxes being perfectly level, the advantage of round boxes is of course that you can rotate them a bit (until the bonding has set). Also, the switch/socket inserts can still be rotated as well before tightening the screws:

View attachment 98886
View attachment 98887

Hope that helps!

Yes, it does . Thankyou.

 

[littlespark]

This is one I took out of the German built kit house. There were little tabs that screwed up on the sides, but they fell off - lost in the van somewhere.
The smaller screws are what hold the accessory in place.

The hollow walls in this particular house were plasterboard with wood sheet behind… but that might have been only in the room I was in as it was plant room…. Boiler, consumer unit etc.

Drilling a round hole… with corer or holesaw does seem a quicker way…. But for plasterboard? A pad saw can make quick work of a square hole.

 

[DPG]

Wait while customers start wanting triangle shape accessories It'll be the next big fashion thing I reckon.

 

[Dustydazzler]

these are type of boxes that i have sometimes fitted which came with underfloor heating mats some of my customers have supplied to me

the boxes come with these long spouts

 

[HappyHippyDad]

This is one I took out of the German built kit house. There were little tabs that screwed up on the sides, but they fell off - lost in the van somewhere.
The smaller screws are what hold the accessory in place.

The hollow walls in this particular house were plasterboard with wood sheet behind… but that might have been only in the room I was in as it was plant room…. Boiler, consumer unit etc.

Drilling a round hole… with corer or holesaw does seem a quicker way…. But for plasterboard? A pad saw can make quick work of a square hole.

View attachment 98913View attachment 98914

View attachment 98915

Thanks for taking the time to take pictures, that's kind of you.