Whether you're a seasoned electrician or a confident DIYer, you've probably encountered the frustrating situation where a wall socket or light switch sits proud of the wall, or where a back box is simply too shallow to accommodate a modern faceplate. That's where socket spacers — also known as dry lining boxes, pattress spacers, or surface mount adaptors — come in.
What Is a Socket Spacer?
A socket spacer is a thin frame that sits between your electrical back box and the faceplate of a socket or light switch. Its primary job is to add depth to the installation, bringing the faceplate flush with the wall surface, or correcting the gap left by a shallow back box.
They're particularly common in dry-lined walls, where plasterboard has been installed over a brick wall. The plasterboard adds thickness that wasn't accounted for when the back boxes were originally fitted.
When Do You Need One?
You're likely to need a socket spacer if:
- Your faceplate doesn't sit flush against the wall, leaving a visible gap
- The back box is too shallow for a modern dimmer switch or USB socket
- You've re-plastered and the wall surface is now proud of the box
- You're installing a conversion kit that requires a specific depth
The Benefits of Custom Spacers
Off-the-shelf spacers come in fixed depths — typically 5mm, 10mm, or 15mm. But every installation is different. A custom spacer made to your exact specification means:
- Perfect flush fit — no more unsightly gaps or proud faceplates
- The right depth — accommodates the exact offset your installation needs
- A professional finish — one less thing for a building inspector or eagle-eyed customer to notice
At SocketSpacers.com, every spacer is made to order. Specify your exact width, height, depth, corner radius, and whether you need fixing lugs — and we'll manufacture it to your precise requirements.
Installation Tips
Installing a socket spacer is straightforward, but a few tips make the job easier:
- Always isolate the circuit before working near any electrical installation
- Check the depth required with a straightedge against the wall surface
- Use the correct length fixing screws to pass through the spacer and engage the back box threads
- If using fixing lugs, ensure they align with the back box fixing points before drilling
Ready to Order?
Use our Build My Spacer tool to configure your perfect spacer and get a quote. The whole process takes about two minutes, and we'll direct you to our secure checkout to complete your order.