Hi,
I recently replaced the washing machine that was sitting under the kitchen island. The switch for the washing machine is in a cupboard under the island behind a thin 'wall' (back of cupboard). It is a single socket with on/off switch.
To remove the old machine, we cut the plug head off as I couldn't feed it through the wall as I couldn't work out how to remove the plug face temporarily - after I unscrewed the 2 screws, 2 yellow screw casings (?) prevented the socket from loosening.
Any ideas on how it can get the wire for the new machine through the 'wall' and plugged in?
Many thanks in advance
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Most new appliances have a moulded plug which prevents them being removed and if its a new machine with a warranty I wouldn't recommend removing and replacing with a standard plug. If your not that fussed I would cut a plug sized hole in the thin board to feed the plug through.
Hi, Get a cordless drill and a wood core accessory to make a neat hole in the wall. 50mm diameter so the plug will fit through.
!!! If that socket is switched on and you haven’t turned off the socket ring at the fuse box then the wire you cut is live and extremely dangerous!!!
Thanks
Rob
You need a hole saw to drill a hole in back of cupboard big enough to get the plug through …. Appliance plugs should always be accessible in or through cupboards so they can be removed quickly in even if a fault …..
Answered30 August 2021
0
Anonymous user
Just cut the moulded plug off, push the wire back through the hole as before, and wire a new standard plug on the machine flex then plug it back in. Simple. Another option you have is to change the single socket faceplate to a 13A switched fused spur and wire the flex on to that. Obviously ensure you have switched power to the circuit off before you do this. Your description suggests an Appleby hollow wall patress was used to mount the socket in the cupboard wall. Voiding warranty by cutting moulded plugs off is a myth that's been circulating in the trade for years. The reason moulded plugs are used is for convenience for the user and to prevent incorrect wiring by DIYers.
