Help new window fitted electric cable runs across window top to bottom to socket need to disconnect?
Question:willing to lose socket,doesn't seem to lead any other sockets ( just moved in house)
Answers:
You should probably just go with losing the socket. As it is right now, it IS a danger. Running it along the window frame buried in plaster is against code (and likely illegal in your areas) and dangerous.
Find the circuit breaker on that particular circuit and turn it off. Confirm that there is absolutely no power to that wire. Then follow it back (as suggested above) and remove all the unnecessary wire. Any ends of any wire need to be in an electrical box (just a small metal or plastic one), with the wires separated and wire nuts on each.
Alternately, it sounds like this would be a simple and inexpensive job if you hired an electrician to make sure it's done right.
For a start only attempt if you know something about electricity.
You need to work out which power circuit the socket belongs to, probably need to do by process of elimination. Then confirm you are correct, turn off the breaker for that circuit then check no voltage at the socket with voltmeter or voltage tester, then disconnect the cable at both ends and remove the socket.
Follow the wire back and see where it is connected to the main wiring and disconnect at that point, then carefully remove the cable and socket. Alternatively, chisel out the plaster and bury the cable in the wall, plastering over the channel so it doesn't show. Think about moving the socket to a more convenient place in the room so you can reroute the cable more easily.
Call an electrician,really, if in any doubt get a pro in to do it,its your life at the end of the day,dont mess with what you do not know.
Plug in a light or vacuum cleaner into the socket, go to fusebox and remove fuses until light or vacuum goes off, you now know which fuse controls the socket. Cut the cable, put tape on and poke the wires where they emerges .back in . For extra safety , cut one wire further back, and put terminals on each wire..
You have to find out what that cable is for.
For instance, it could be a spur, and if you are lucky it could come from a junction box in the ceiling (or loft) above, and might only be servicing that one socket. In which case disconnect it from the junction box and remove socket if you no longer need it.
It could be part of the ring main, in which case at the socket there should be another cable as well, running to the next socket.
So if there are two cables at the socket it is best not to interfere but to call in an electrician.
In either case before you you go investigating make sure you turn off the power at the MAIN SWITCH in the consumer unit. Not just the mcb for that circuit in case it turns out to be an interconnector and needs more than one circuit breaker to disconnect it.
Definitely do not take advice that suggests burying the live cable in the wall - it is not safe and violates code. You may be able to locate another junction box (at a ceiling light or another receptacle) from which the outlet in question originates. Disconnect the cable from power at the point it is fed. For safety, be sure to turn the circuit off at the breaker box before working on the circuit. Bear in mind that the code also has requirements for where receptacles must be provided. Whether or not you believe you need this particular outlet, it may be located out of compliance with code, and removing it may not be appropriate. You would do yourself a favor to hire a licensed electrician for the job - wiring really isn't a DIY project.
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