Two single gang sockets mounted on the same back box. Is this common practice and why?

[William harbinson]

Hi there I'm new to the forum, Just wondering if someone could please take a look at the pic attached (hopefully) and tell me in what circumstances it is best practice to wire two 1-gang sockets side by side like this with a set of T&E going to each.

I'm not an electrician but was in the process of wiring in new socket faceplates around the house we are moving in to and came across this.

Sorry for wasting anybody's time if this is a stupid question but it just seems like a strange way to do it. Thanks, william.

 

[SparkyChick]

I tend to use single sockets for things like washing machines and tumble driers when they are next to each other to avoid the potential for the combined load to be more than the typical 20A max load of a double socket outlet.

 

[rsgaz]

Is that the remnants of a cable that has been snipped off at the top of the right hand box? Maybe the right one was formerly an FCU.

 

[westward10]

I suspect the sockets are not original and there was at least one fuse connection unit. Dual boxes are handy for mounting one gang accessories next to each other, straight.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I suspect the sockets are not original and there was at least one fuse connection unit. Dual boxes are handy for mounting one gang accessories next to each other, straight.

I quite like using the 2+1 backboxes and 2+2 when doing kitchens or lounge behind tv etc... ensures nice equally level finish and saves a little bit of time.

 

[JK-Electrical]

I quite like using the 2+1 backboxes and 2+2 when doing kitchens or lounge behind tv etc... ensures nice equally level finish and saves a little bit of time.

I find the 3 x 1 gang triple boxes particularly useful for kitchen refurbs ....

https://www.electricalcounter.co.uk...ed+Steel+3+x+1+Gang+Triple+35mm+Box/918683607

 

[Deleted member 26818]

The two single sockets are different.
One has ‘ON’ on the switch, the other a block of solid red colour. Also there is a disused cables showing in the top left corner of the right hand socket.
Looks like, as has already been suggested, that an FCU has been removed and replaced with a single socket.

 

[Toneyz]

Which room is this in? As said agree R.H.S looks like one was a switched fused spur and load cable cut off as not needed. The spur then changed to a single socket. Could change box and faceplate to double socket but you will have a bit of making good to do.

 

[mattg4321]

I find the 3 x 1 gang triple boxes particularly useful for kitchen refurbs ....

https://www.electricalcounter.co.uk...ed+Steel+3+x+1+Gang+Triple+35mm+Box/918683607

Until someone changes their mind and wants chrome plates!

 

[William harbinson]

Thanks for the replies guy's appreciate it. It was in the living room beside the chimney breast not sure what the FCU would have been for as theres already one for the electric fire. Ended up just ripping the back box out and replacing it with a double box and faceplate to keep it the same as the others.

 

[pirate]

I like those double back boxes!
I got a lot of help on here with my wall mounted TV project. Socket on one side, brush-plate on the other side for media cables etc.
Also have one for my electric shower. Hall-side has DP switch to the left, and a blanking plate to the right, so plenty of room for the 10mm connections in the box behind.

 

[JK-Electrical]

Until someone changes their mind and wants chrome plates!

I do take the precaution of warning the customer in advance that if they agree to the installation of these boxes then they are limited to white accessories only!