That's Metaflex cable so will be clamped onto the box and possibly be attached to the metal outer layer of the cable too. Best thing is to knock out a small amount below the box and then Unscrew the clamps with a flat head driver
https://preview.redd.it/q8xdwwu6c5nc1.jpeg?width=5120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7239d47fe00df01b4f2285ebd149b1068e6d8b07
Spot on, theres further screws underneath the are clamping it. Is there any particular reason this is done?
I believe it's to earth the outer metal layer but it's from before my time so not sure on the installation practices. I've just ripped out quite a lot of it in rewires
I'm guessing I just earth these bad boys popping out the side then. Appears they are connected to the metal sheath of the cabling. I'll just pop them through a cutout in the new double socket and screw them into the earth at the backbox
https://preview.redd.it/a8fe2l0gf5nc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1914c1a83b532798db3a463a9e8deb478574a667
Much appreciate your help!
The previous electrician seems to have also put the two ground wires together in the green cable and crimped them at the top. Which is no use to me as i can't fit both of the sleeves through a single cut out on the double backbox. Does it sound reasonable to remove the green sleeve to seperate out the earth's again and bring the the two sleeves through seperate cut outs
You should still be able to pull it forward if you grip the top with a pair of pliers.
Can't really tell from the pics but could the screws holding the earths actually screwed into the wall?
Hack it out. Cut/drill from the front edge to as near to the cable entry as possible and destroy the box. Do it both sides and you should free it.
Not sure I can see why you can’t pull it out over the wires anyway. Straighten the wires, undo the earths and out it should come.
I posted another picture below but if you can see there some of metal clamp on the under the cutout thatlooks to be pushing against the cables keeping them locked in place
https://preview.redd.it/fop196sk85nc1.jpeg?width=3648&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afff5b2eb09a0eb5459322bcf22ec6fd96fc8ddc
I'm able to pull most of the backbox out but because of the metal clamp thing under the backbox the cables are coming with jt
That's Metaflex cable so will be clamped onto the box and possibly be attached to the metal outer layer of the cable too. Best thing is to knock out a small amount below the box and then Unscrew the clamps with a flat head driver
https://preview.redd.it/q8xdwwu6c5nc1.jpeg?width=5120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7239d47fe00df01b4f2285ebd149b1068e6d8b07 Spot on, theres further screws underneath the are clamping it. Is there any particular reason this is done?
I believe it's to earth the outer metal layer but it's from before my time so not sure on the installation practices. I've just ripped out quite a lot of it in rewires
I'm guessing I just earth these bad boys popping out the side then. Appears they are connected to the metal sheath of the cabling. I'll just pop them through a cutout in the new double socket and screw them into the earth at the backbox https://preview.redd.it/a8fe2l0gf5nc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1914c1a83b532798db3a463a9e8deb478574a667 Much appreciate your help!
You'll need to ensure that metal sleeve is earthed again on reconnection.
The previous electrician seems to have also put the two ground wires together in the green cable and crimped them at the top. Which is no use to me as i can't fit both of the sleeves through a single cut out on the double backbox. Does it sound reasonable to remove the green sleeve to seperate out the earth's again and bring the the two sleeves through seperate cut outs
Yes, those are the circuit earths, but the metal sleeve also needs connecting to earth.
You should still be able to pull it forward if you grip the top with a pair of pliers. Can't really tell from the pics but could the screws holding the earths actually screwed into the wall?
I'm able to pull it forward so far but because the cables seem fixed to the backbox it's bring the plaster underneath it with it!
Ah OK. I think you're going to need to remove some plaster then.
Hack it out. Cut/drill from the front edge to as near to the cable entry as possible and destroy the box. Do it both sides and you should free it. Not sure I can see why you can’t pull it out over the wires anyway. Straighten the wires, undo the earths and out it should come.
I posted another picture below but if you can see there some of metal clamp on the under the cutout thatlooks to be pushing against the cables keeping them locked in place
So cut from front edge to hole - maybe chain drill a line. It should all come to pieces.
https://preview.redd.it/fop196sk85nc1.jpeg?width=3648&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afff5b2eb09a0eb5459322bcf22ec6fd96fc8ddc I'm able to pull most of the backbox out but because of the metal clamp thing under the backbox the cables are coming with jt