I bought some cheap sockets (LAP) from Screwfix yesterday, they have a new feature. The fixing screw holes are obviously a problem to someone because white plastic plugs are provided to fill them in. Having inserted them it is very difficult to get them out again, typically for inspection. Whilst this might be in the cause of Fine Art (sockets are not "smooth" enough?) it is a problem for electricians. It could be because the screws (Earthed) are now exposed conductive parts and must therefore be insulated, but not according to BS7671. If the plugs are not fitted the sockets and LESS tidy than standard models from MK etc. I wonder if anyone else has seen these, because I think they are a fairly bad idea. Fortunately, these are only for my office bench, but I wouldn't use them anywhere else.
Plastic plugs for covering faceplate fixing screws have been quietly around for years - most commonly on dimmer switches and IIRC 'converter' sockets. They can be removed - but doing so usually makes a complete mess of them (and sometimes the faceplate as well). As far as I know they're only intended for decoration (a cheap way of providing a 'screwless' look) but can occasionally be useful on switches where earthing (e.g. on lighting circuits) is missing.
I have used lots of them and they are a pain. As you have discovered they do not come out without being damaged. They are also slightly different sizes depending on the accessory manufacturer. So if you have a few left over from one job they obviously will not fit the next job where you have damaged a few. I tend to leave them off and pretend they do not exist.
I bought some cheap sockets (LAP) from Screwfix yesterday, they have a new feature. The fixing screw holes are obviously a problem to someone because white plastic plugs are provided to fill them in. Having inserted them it is very difficult to get them out again, typically for inspection. Whilst this might be in the cause of Fine Art (sockets are not "smooth" enough?) it is a problem for electricians. It could be because the screws (Earthed) are now exposed conductive parts and must therefore be insulated, but not according to BS7671. If the plugs are not fitted the sockets and LESS tidy than standard models from MK etc. I wonder if anyone else has seen these, because I think they are a fairly bad idea. Fortunately, these are only for my office bench, but I wouldn't use them anywhere else.
LAP stuff can be very cheap and nasty. I do not use the accessories.
The socket screw heads should be earthed as they are exposed conductive parts. Even if the back box is made of wood or plastic, a damaged single insulated conductor inside the box can make a screw, and obviously the screw head which can be touched, live.
The white plastic inserts are destroyed when being removed. Perhaps that is why I find three in a packet with the wiring accessories. I normally throw the inserts away.
I think that I first noticed them in the accommodation when I did my electrical training.
If properly inserted, there are, of course, no exposed conductive parts. However, I agree that it is difficult, if not impossible, to remove them for inspection, etc.
They can often be removed with a bit of blu-tack, or if that doesn't quite work, in conjunction with the tip of a knife to provide a bit of extra force
They are a must to fit (or plastic screws Yuk!), for those metal boxes where fixing screws could become live, however low risk. There are different diameters between manufacturers, as I have found when I had to use Pratley putty in lieue the noo. If there is no need for them, I suggest not to replace them with the permission of the occupant. For those which are tight, just drill a small hole in them and extract them.
A few months ago I posted here of a house where the wifie incidentally said that she was getting shocks from the plastic light switch in the kitchen; the wiring was in steel conduit from the year canteen; when I explained the problem, the hubbie just wetted some bread and pushed the dough into the screw holes!
They are a must to fit (or plastic screws Yuk!), for those metal boxes where fixing screws could become live, however low risk.
The only circumstance I can think of is older installations with no cpc on a lighting circuit ... surely never an issue with socket-outlets etc., where the screws are earthed through the accessory faceplate itself
