Electrical Sockets

[Anonymous]

If it’s of any interest we have just had our house rewired, we had a real mixture including some original Bakelite. I spent ages going round trying to find something that would look right. We tried out the modern bakelite light switches with the brown sockets but found the brown sockets which are actually just a hardened plastic scratched and became marked really easily and didn’t look that great. We abandoned the bakelite and went for the brass domed light switches and electrical sockets from Broughtons of Leicester (http://www.broughtons.com) they have a number of different styles but the best thing is they will hand aged everything, light switches, sockets, ceiling roses etc so you don’t have to have the shiny brass. They do different degrees of aging and were very helpful sending me samples to choose from, we were able to source all the electrical components from here and all with the same aged finish and they look so much nicer than the white plastic that the electrician started putting in.

 

[Anonymous]

Sarah,
Excellent, I can see a wallet lightening trip to Leicester tomorrow...........

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

I am fairly clear about this issue.

For relatively recent technology (ie which signifcantly post dates the period of the property or the period of any signifcant historic remodelling of the property) it is quite legitimate to use comtemporary fittings and it is usually best to avoid anything which tries to recreate what the fitting might have looked like had the technology existed then (try to imagine a Louis XV flat screen TV....)

For my 1840 townhouse I used stainless steel sockets and light switches on the bedroom floors and in the kitchen/dining room basement. In my main living rooms I have used more expensive plain, flat plate brass sockets and (my extravagence) Forbes & Lomax stainless toggle swithches with the perspex plates which enable the wall colour or wallpaper to be seen behind them.

Using different quality fittings in different parts of the house saves money and is entirely consistent with the kind of hierarchy of detail you usually find in 18th and 19thC houses, where the more public rooms get more elaborate treatment.

 

[Anonymous]

We have a mix - in 'done' rooms we have (original but new ie unused and possibly illegal) brass dome switches, but simply stuck with white sockets. They look less obtrusive on pale walls. So much depends really on the room and the age of the house I think as to what looks best. I prefer to tuck sockets out of sight where possible.

In a house with historic plasterwork of significance then surface mounted is better than removing plaster.

Simple switches and some quite pleasing light fittings are available from Jim Lawrence in Suffolk.

 

[Anonymous]

............exactly !!

Let alone what plugs, sockets and where, I am still figuring out where and how to run the wires, hide the lot, and avoid drilling any beams.

Any inspirational ideas ?

 

[Anonymous]

Box skirtings? A good non-invasive solution. I was in Homebase the other day and they actually sell box skirting kits - I think you can get ogee moulded as well as more modern patterns.

I hardly like to mention it, but I expect you know that the law now requires you to use a registered "competent person" for electrical installation stuff.

Try asking the present Mrs Penrose whether her old man is a "competent person" and you'll get a full and frank answer.

 

[Anonymous]

As much as i hate the place, David, it does sound a good idea. On the other hand I could possibly get cutters for my spindle moulder and try to make my own, out of oak or something.

Yes, i may work on that.

Well pointed out about the electrics, I usually get a friend to check all the wiring for safety, before he actually finishes the installation. (he is qualified)

 

[Anonymous]

No, I've gone for something legal instead.

 

[Anonymous]

Moulding up your own sounds a nice idea, but (just playing devil's advocate) I feel it could cause you one or two problems. If you simply trench out cable-sized groove(s) in the back, I don't envy you the job of getting the cables to stay in their grooves while you plant the skirting on the wall - I think you may have to staple or glue them in. Alternatively, if you're going to trench out a deep/wide channel so the cables can lie within it wherever they like, I hope you've got a fairly hefty spindle moulder!
I share your views about DIY sheds, but needs must and all that!

 

[Anonymous]

I will probably make a trial run on a piece of 6x1, and remove a section 3in x 1/2in fom the back.

I agree about the nightemareish way with grooves etc...

IT should work if the cables are nicely tacked close.

WE will see.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll be interested to hear how you get on. Matter of interest, what sort of spindle have you got? Has it got power feed rollers? I'm very envious - I only have poncy little router table!

 

[Anonymous]

Visited their shop today. Magnificent, lots of great stuff, very helpful staff, they really enjoyed us leaving £2k lighter.................

This kitchen is going to be good.

 

[Anonymous]

I will keep you posted.

Luckly I "invested" in a nice saw/spindle combi machine when I moved here ( Felder 7oo series)
2 m sliding table, 4hp,315mm blade.

Tilting spindle will accept 250mm dia tooling, no power feeder am afraid, I use cutters with limiters and go carefull with it.

The main reason for investing was mainly due to the fact that I was quoted £23,000.00 just for doors, windows and staircase on this restoration.
Also when I needed "specials" on some restoration jobs I was doing, I was at the mercy of "fitting it in", with someone that could do it , and not cheap.
I got P****D off with this, so I spend £14,000.00, and equipped my workshop with the necessary upgraded machines.

I am glad , as it has paid for itself over and over, and given me the versatility to do exacty what I wanted, and when.

 

[Anonymous]

£2K??? Bluddy 'ell! Some shopping trip?

What did you buy???

 

[Anonymous]

Hand forged metalware, hinges, handles, window casement fittings, some sockets, light switches and lighting.

What can I say, my wife has good taste - well expensive anyway.

:
: - 0

We only intend to do the house once, so do it right and do it slowly.......

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

> I am still figuring out where and how to run the wires, hide the lot, and avoid drilling any beams.

Thats the easy bit in this difficult subject. Use enamelled copper wire, and run the fittings on low voltage with LV lightbulbs. Now the wire can be 1mm diameter and routed anywhere. Couldnt get any easier to hide that. Also enamelled copper is the least visible of all wire types, assuming you get brown and not pink.

Tried that approach with complete success.

NT

 

[Anonymous]

I see youve solved your dilemma.

Generally speaking I think theres no answer to this question, beyond just go with whatever you like best. Nothing that goes in is going to be genuine, or even close.

Few houses had electricity in Victorian times. The ones that did would typically have had bare knife switches on 32v, often home made, and dim carbon filament bulbs.

Go back further and you're into the era of pith balls and chains, when the only thing anyone did with electricity was shock people, attract bits of paper, and very occasionally try to revive the dead.

I dont think I've ever seen anything modern that looks genuine, and it would be a tad difficult given the difference between round and square pins, and how the round pins were so tighly tied into the prevailing machine age styling.

Original fittings can be used, and done safely, but its specialist stuff with various pitfalls. Nor is it too convenient having an all round pin house, with 4 different plug and socket types. I did it once in part of one house, but wouldnt again. Life's too short, and Clix plugs too dodgy.

I think if I had something grand to deck out I'd go for modern electrics but with 2 or 3 original pieces in all their glory, original style wiring etc.

If you really want to go Victorian, the basement is probably the only suitable place to do it, but expect visitors to look worried.

NT

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks NT.

Another excellent suggestion for the most difficult of situations.

 

[Anonymous]

..............also, you must really care for some of us in need of problem solving advise.

That was 4 o clock in the B****Y MORNING...!!!!!!!!