How to get Electrical Box Out ?

[Spinny]

So I need to move an electrical box about 40mm to the right - see photo.

 

The box is loose but how do I get it out without damaging the cables ?

[crispy_wafer]

Multitool with metal blade and cut each side of the cable into the grommet holes on either top or bottom whichever is easiest one cable out then the box will come out and the other cable will feed out.  Or cut away more plaster and slowly tease and feed the cable backward into a U shape on the outer side of the box and pull slowly and gently try not to snag the cable and hope the rubber grommet protects against the sharp edges. There will be some making good required but that’s par for the course I’m afraid!

[MPx]

Agree - take the hit on making good and just knock out a bit more plaster/wall - then you'll be able to carefully feed the cable back as you tease the old box out.  If its just a 40mm move, there'll be a sizeable bit of filling around the new box anyway.

[Nickfromwales]

+1. Lots and lots of small gentle taps with a claw hammer, to turn the plaster to dust, and let it fall away as you gently follow the cable. Don't use a chisel, as that can damage the cable if it turns or isn't at the same depth etc.

[Spinny]

Thanks.

I think both cables are in plastic conduit.

Nervous of using a multitool to cut the box as easy to slip and damage the cable. Can I buy Aviation snips, or some kind of nibbling tool to cut the box ?

 

Also when I put the new one in, is it permissible to cut the front section out of one entry hole so that I can slide one cable in from the front of the box ? 

[Onoff]

1 hour ago, Spinny said:

Thanks.

I think both cables are in plastic conduit.

Nervous of using a multitool to cut the box as easy to slip and damage the cable. Can I buy Aviation snips, or some kind of nibbling tool to cut the box ?

 

Also when I put the new one in, is it permissible to cut the front section out of one entry hole so that I can slide one cable in from the front of the box ? 

 

Giving some welly on a pair of ordinary side cutters should cut that box. If you want to use a multi tool just slit and slide over a bit of 15mm copper pipe on the cable. 

 

Can't see why it'd be a problem to slot the holes as long as you use a grommet. 

[Spinny]

Shelled out a fiver for a pair of aviation snips for the toolbox which went through like a knife through butter - box out.

Just have to get in a new one symmetrical with the other side of the hob, but they won't be templating for the glass splashback for a while.

[ProDave]

20 minutes ago, Spinny said:

Shelled out a fiver for a pair of aviation snips for the toolbox which went through like a knife through butter - box out.

Just have to get in a new one symmetrical with the other side of the hob, but they won't be templating for the glass splashback for a while.

Wait a moment.  More pictures needed, but you are not planning to put it in the middle of the hob behind it are you?

[Spinny]

No, no, no, no, yes, yes, no, no, no.

Don't worry hob run is 2.2m long with a socket towards either end, well clear of the hob itself.

[Onoff]

Needs to be 300mm minimum from the hob (or sink) from memory...

[crispy_wafer]

1 hour ago, Onoff said:

Needs to be 300mm minimum from the hob (or sink) from memory...

I was thinking 100mm from hob, 300 from sink.

[Mattg4321]

56 minutes ago, crispy_wafer said:

I was thinking 100mm from hob, 300 from sink.

Those are the NICEIC guidelines. The actual regulations, which are the only thing that really matter, do not specify a distance. Ideally follow the guidelines, but if you don't quite meet those distances then no harm done imo.