Sockets behind wardrobe, how to extend outwards?

JBuk

JBuk

JBuk

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I’m putting in some B & Q atomia wardrobes which go the whole length of a 4 metre long wall, they will be permanent so I need to get everything right first time

the wall has 3 double sockets, 1 at each side and 1 in the middle, the middle one I’m taking out completely as the face plate (even though quite shallow) protrudes too far to fit the wardrobes , just gonna shove the cables in a Wago box and put under the floorboards , the other 2 sockets I would like to keep usable

easy solution is to cut a section out of the backing panel, the problem I have is the faceplate would sit about 10 mm back from the panel and may foul on some plugs , also it will probably look really bad

what would normally be used to put the faceplate on the face of the backing panel and fill the 10+m gap behind? , obviously has to be a safe method

i did thing about glueing some 10mm batons around the back box then putting in a new back box that was deep enough to sit flush with the wood but I’m just thinking off the top of my head
 
dLockers said:
Put the socket in an external back box and mount it in the wardrobe?
Click to expand...
This, a couple of clip in back boxes mounted direct into the back of the wardrobes should be fine. If the wardrobe back is real flimsy fibre board then some reinforcement with batons is some thin ply would sort it out.
 
There are a number of different ways of solving and it depends how easy or difficult you want the solution. Let me just suggest something that is different-

Remove the original back box. Place in a backbox that is 10mm deeper (so that it protrudes out of the wall 10mm).

If the cables aren't long enough in the backbox then remove a little plaster above the socket and move the new backbox up a few inches to give you more cable to play with. You can hire a backbox cutter if needed for a few quid. Just remember to take the cables a few inches higher to get them out the way of the cutter.

Make sure to clean the dust out and you can use epoxy cement to fix the socket in place and ordinary bonding coat to repair any damage to the wall. It can easily be done in a few hours start to finish.
 
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SpellowHouse said:
There are a number of different ways of solving and it depends how easy or difficult you want the solution. Let me just suggest something that is different-

Remove the original back box. Place in a backbox that is 10mm deeper (so that it protrudes out of the wall 10mm).

If the cables aren't long enough in the backbox then remove a little plaster above the socket and move the new backbox up a few inches to give you more cable to play with. You can hire a backbox cutter if needed for a few quid. Just remember to take the cables a few inches higher to get them out the way of the cutter.

Make sure to clean the dust out and you can use epoxy cement to fix the socket in place and ordinary bonding coat to repair any damage to the wall. It can easily be done in a few hours start to finish.
Click to expand...

that’s more or less what I was Talking about in my op

there’s a few inches of cable to play with so No issues there


another question, well more opinions really - if I was to future proof it a bit and add a fused spur for lighting would I be silly in thinking of adding the fuse box next to the double socket inside the wardrobe then placing a socket just above the top of the units ? Obviously would be difficult to reach but would keep any unsightly cables to a minimum
 
JBuk said:
Yep, because even though they are inside I would like everything to match but if it’s a no go then ill just have to make do with a patress
Click to expand...
Fair, I have mounted sockets to the rear of a wardrobe but reinforced it with wood batons before.
 
JBuk said:
that’s more or less what I was Talking about in my op

there’s a few inches of cable to play with so No issues there


another question, well more opinions really - if I was to future proof it a bit and add a fused spur for lighting would I be silly in thinking of adding the fuse box next to the double socket inside the wardrobe then placing a socket just above the top of the units ? Obviously would be difficult to reach but would keep any unsightly cables to a minimum
Click to expand...
I’d mount two of these in the back of the wardrobe having removed the back boxes from the wall, if the wires are not long enough extend them with some wagos, you can then use the faceplate of your choice although I’d never put posh ones in a cupboard lol.

Your fused spur plan is sound and I would do it while fitting them as it will be much more of a pain in future.
 
I think I would take the option of leaving the original back boxes, reinforcing around the rear of the wardrobe with some wood batten, and using long electrical screws to secure the faceplate into the original backbox, thus clamping the wardrobe rear in place.

Reason is that if you use a surface mounted or recessed patress box in a thin wardrobe rear panel you'll get a lot of flex when inserting plugs.
 
How far is the existing knockout box in the plaster and how far is the distance between the existing surface and the finished surface inside the cupboard? (i.e. how much total extension do you need?)

Extension boxes come in sizes from 16mm*, ideally you want one that extends the existing knockout box as close to the new surface as possible, but does not come proud of it at all. https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/...k-box-16mm-depth-galvanised-537826?vat=1&pr=1

You would have to be accurate cutting it in to the cupboard, ideally remove socket, wago connections, add earth flylead to back box (earth continuity could be sketcky through multiple screw fixings). Drill hole in centre-ish of where it'll end up in cupboard, fit cupboard. Carefully enlarge hole with multitool, fit extension box, and then second fix the socket in the cupboard

*They go up in the same sizes as normal knockout boxes, i.e. 16/25/35/47 and can be stacked if need be
 
a1ex2001 said:
I’d mount two of these in the back of the wardrobe having removed the back boxes from the wall, if the wires are not long enough extend them with some wagos, you can then use the faceplate of your choice although I’d never put posh ones in a cupboard lol.

Your fused spur plan is sound and I would do it while fitting them as it will be much more of a pain in future.
Click to expand...

i Already have them on the wall so may as well make use of them if I can rather than bin them or have them sit on a shelf for eternity and probably not worth the hassle of trying to sell them
 
danlightbulb said:
I think I would take the option of leaving the original back boxes, reinforcing around the rear of the wardrobe with some wood batten, and using long electrical screws to secure the faceplate into the original backbox, thus clamping the wardrobe rear in place.

Reason is that if you use a surface mounted or recessed patress box in a thin wardrobe rear panel you'll get a lot of flex when inserting plugs.
Click to expand...
Having read a little tonight I’m not sure this would be considered safe as the wood which is essentially creating part of the enclosure is a combustible material ?
 
Adam_151 said:
How far is the existing knockout box in the plaster and how far is the distance between the existing surface and the finished surface inside the cupboard? (i.e. how much total extension do you need?)

Extension boxes come in sizes from 16mm*, ideally you want one that extends the existing knockout box as close to the new surface as possible, but does not come proud of it at all. https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/...k-box-16mm-depth-galvanised-537826?vat=1&pr=1

You would have to be accurate cutting it in to the cupboard, ideally remove socket, wago connections, add earth flylead to back box (earth continuity could be sketcky through multiple screw fixings). Drill hole in centre-ish of where it'll end up in cupboard, fit cupboard. Carefully enlarge hole with multitool, fit extension box, and then second fix the socket in the cupboard

*They go up in the same sizes as normal knockout boxes, i.e. 16/25/35/47 and can be stacked if need be
Click to expand...

the 16mm may just do it , I’d still baton around a little for support but at least none of the actual enclosure would be combustible as per dans suggestion

only issue is I need to get electrics sorted tomorrow and doubt anywhere near me has that item
 
Sockets at the back of a wardrobe won’t be easy to access. You mention getting everything right first time, relocate the sockets to an adjacent wall?
 
JBuk said:
I’m putting in some B & Q atomia wardrobes which go the whole length of a 4 metre long wall, they will be permanent so I need to get everything right first time

the wall has 3 double sockets, 1 at each side and 1 in the middle, the middle one I’m taking out completely as the face plate (even though quite shallow) protrudes too far to fit the wardrobes , just gonna shove the cables in a Wago box and put under the floorboards , the other 2 sockets I would like to keep usable

easy solution is to cut a section out of the backing panel, the problem I have is the faceplate would sit about 10 mm back from the panel and may foul on some plugs , also it will probably look really bad

what would normally be used to put the faceplate on the face of the backing panel and fill the 10+m gap behind? , obviously has to be a safe method

i did thing about glueing some 10mm batons around the back box then putting in a new back box that was deep enough to sit flush with the wood but I’m just thinking off the top of my head
Click to expand...

I'm guessing the wardrobes will have the thinnest of thin backing board, which unless replaced with a decent thickness board, would make fitting an electrical socket a bit of a faff and not that safe.

Rather than overthinking it, it would/could be a lot easier to remove a large enough section of the thin backing board to enable safe use of sockets, or if the sockets are too low, then chase up the wall and put at a height that would work.

Finish off around the area with plasterboard and paint if you are worried about how it will look - at the back of a wardrobe.
 
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