Hole in middle of tile for socket

[Mattt]

Hey is cutting a hole in the middle of the tile for a socket. To thread the socket through the tile do you usually have to un-wire the socket with the hole in the tile being smaller than the socket.

 

[tommyzooom]

It will depend if the wires are long enough.
If they are the faceplate will fit through on its side diagonally.
Turn off the power first tho 😉

 

[White Room]

Depends on the how much wire there is, if they have been cut short then disconnecting would have to be an option but do the fuse box first.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

as both above 😉

 

[Mattt]

Thanks an is an angle grinder needed for cutting the hole in the tile?

 

[Dougs Third Go]

Thanks an is an angle grinder needed for cutting the hole in the tile?

yep, angle grinder is probs best as long as you don't overcut from the face side

 

[Doggit]

Assuming the electricians have done the job properly, and working on the basis that it's a ring main circuit with 2 wires in the back of the socket, then there's no way you'll get the faceplate through the hole in the tile. Cut the hole in the tile to the size of the backplate, take the socket off the wall, fit the tile, grout, then refit the socket. Job done

 

[Mattt]

With a stone blade?

 

[Stef]

Assuming the electricians have done the job properly, and working on the basis that it's a ring main circuit with 2 wires in the back of the socket, then there's no way you'll get the faceplate through the hole in the tile. Cut the hole in the tile to the size of the backplate, take the socket off the wall, fit the tile, grout, then refit the socket. Job done

Eh??
If you mark & cut the tile spot on then the socket will fit easily through the cut out on its side.
It's not a problem if your good at your work.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

Assuming the electricians have done the job properly, and working on the basis that it's a ring main circuit with 2 wires in the back of the socket, then there's no way you'll get the faceplate through the hole in the tile. Cut the hole in the tile to the size of the backplate, take the socket off the wall, fit the tile, grout, then refit the socket. Job done

wrong pal, done easy if the wires are long enough. Done it hundreds of times without removing socket face, not a debate on my behalf, just a fact.

 

[White Room]

Assuming the electricians have done the job properly, and working on the basis that it's a ring main circuit with 2 wires in the back of the socket, then there's no way you'll get the faceplate through the hole in the tile. Cut the hole in the tile to the size of the backplate, take the socket off the wall, fit the tile, grout, then refit the socket. Job done

I'm no sparks but where is the earth wire which makes 3, the ring main would have wires going in and out....

 

[Stef]

wrong pal, done easy if the wires are long enough. Done it hundreds of times without removing socket face, not a debate on my behalf, just a fact.

[emoji106][emoji106]

 

[andyb1]

As above very rarely have to take faceplate off.

 

[Fliselege]

Assuming the electricians have done the job properly, and working on the basis that it's a ring main circuit with 2 wires in the back of the socket, then there's no way you'll get the faceplate through the hole in the tile. Cut the hole in the tile to the size of the backplate, take the socket off the wall, fit the tile, grout, then refit the socket. Job done

Have things changed since I escaped UK? A socket outlet part of a ringmain has 6 cables terminated to the back. 2 legs live, 2 legs neutral & 2 legs earth. I could usually pass the plate through a cut hole as long as the cables weren't too short.

 

[Dave]

Oooow we are a passionate lot :lol:

 

[Qwerty]

I think the op is referring to 2 wires as in two lots of wires (2 cables=6 wires)
Hope that may have cleared up one of the issues in this thread [emoji106][emoji38][emoji1]

 

[Perry]

Never looked just done it.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Just make sure that it's not scratched and straight afterwards - because the customers couldn't care a hoot how it's done, just that you've tightened it up and there's no grout on on its shiney face.
Don't you just love it when they've all been replaced with flat screwless faces that just about cover the tile cut and they were white plastic at estimate stage.

 

[StevieBoy]

As others have said, if the hole is cut accurately then the socket will pass through easily.
Use a wallpaper scraper or similar to push adhesive all the way around the edges of the hole as this will give the tile a bit more strength and therefore providing you don't over tighten the screws should be no mishaps.

 

[Mr Tiler]

Hey is cutting a hole in the middle of the tile for a socket. To thread the socket through the tile do you usually have to un-wire the socket with the hole in the tile being smaller than the socket.

You mark the tile up to the back box that sits in the wall that ensures you dont have any gaps around the face of the socket, shouldnt really have a problem twisting the case unless wires are too short

 

[Mr Tiler]

As others have said, if the hole is cut accurately then the socket will pass through easily.
Use a wallpaper scraper or similar to push adhesive all the way around the edges of the hole as this will give the tile a bit more strength and therefore providing you don't over tighten the screws should be no mishaps.

Why have you commented on this? Lol its from last xmas only just noticed lol

 

[White Room]

Just done mine recently, socket power off, remove socket and fix tile then refix socket.

Did'nt see date😕

 

[AliGage]

Without me reading back......

Is it a metal backbox or a cavity box?

As @Mr Tiler said, the socket facia 9/10 times will twist and seat into the back box corner to corner. But only in a metal, solid wall back box.
If it's a cavity wall/plasterboard box then they don't.

 

[StevieBoy]

Why have you commented on this? Lol its from last xmas only just noticed lol

In case someone else is reading it with the same question.

 

[White Room]

This is the one I done

 

[StevieBoy]

This is the one I done

View attachment 76986

Work of art that mate.

Have you removed the sockets first, or were you brave and popped each socket through its relevant hole ?

 

[White Room]

Work of art that mate.

Have you removed the sockets first, or were you brave and popped each socket through its relevant hole ?

Turned power off and disconnected the sockets Stevie....

 

[dean.diy]

@whitebeam. Lovely example of cutting. The O.P 's socket job from last Christmas could have had three cables if it was a ring main serving a spur.