Quick answer
A blanking plate covers an unused or disconnected electrical back box so the opening stays safe and looks tidy. Under BS 7671 you must not leave a live or open box exposed, so fit one whenever you remove a switch or socket and do not replace it. Match a single (1-gang) or double (2-gang) plate to the back box, in a finish that matches your other accessories. BG blanking plates start at £3.07 at Kent Traders.
What is a blanking plate?
A blanking plate is a flat cover that fits over a standard electrical back box where no switch or socket is installed. It closes the hole left when an accessory is removed, keeps fingers and dust away from any cabling inside, and gives the wall a finished look. Electricians use them constantly during refurbishments, when a socket is decommissioned, or where a back box was installed for future use.
You need one in a few common situations: you have taken out an old socket and will not replace it, a back box was fitted during first-fix but the accessory is not needed, or you are tidying up a redundant point. BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) requires that live conductors and open enclosures are not left accessible, so a disconnected point should either be made safe and blanked, or removed back to the consumer unit by a qualified electrician.
1-gang vs 2-gang: which size do you need?
Match the plate to the back box already in the wall. A single (1-gang) box takes a 1-gang blank; a double (2-gang) box takes a 2-gang blank.
| Type | Fits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1-gang blank plate | Single back box (1-gang) | Covering a removed single socket or switch |
| 2-gang blank plate | Double back box (2-gang) | Covering a removed double socket |
| Grid / module blank | Grid or euro plate aperture | Filling an unused module in a grid switch |
Screwed vs screwless flat plate
Standard plates fix with two visible screws. Screwless flat plates, such as the BG Nexus Flatplate range, use a clip-on outer cover that hides the screws for a cleaner finish. Both do the same job. Screwless costs a little more and suits visible walls, while standard plates are fine for cupboards, lofts and utility areas. Whichever you choose, keep the finish consistent with the switches and sockets in the same room.
Finishes
Kent Traders stocks blanking plates across the popular BG ranges: white moulded, brushed steel, polished chrome, black nickel, and the BG Evolve colour range including satin brass, polished copper, matt grey and pearlescent white. Pick the finish that matches your existing plates so the blanked point blends in rather than standing out.
How to fit a blanking plate safely
Fitting a blank plate is straightforward, but anything involving the back box should be done with the circuit isolated. If a live cable is present, use a qualified electrician.
- Switch off the circuit at the consumer unit and lock it off. Verify it is dead with an approved voltage tester.
- If the accessory is still in place, unscrew and remove it. Make safe any cabling: a disconnected circuit should be terminated correctly or removed, not simply folded into the box.
- Position the blank plate over the back box.
- Fit the two screws and tighten until the plate sits flush. For screwless plates, fix the inner frame, then clip on the outer cover.
- Restore power and check the area is tidy.
If you are unsure whether a point is live or how a circuit is wired, stop and call a registered electrician. Working on fixed wiring in England and Wales is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to leave a socket hole open?
No. BS 7671 requires that open enclosures and live conductors are not left accessible. Either fit a blanking plate over the made-safe box or have the point removed back to the consumer unit.
Do I need an electrician to fit a blanking plate?
Fitting the plate itself is simple. But if a live cable is present in the box, the circuit must be isolated and the cable made safe first, which is work for a qualified electrician.
What size blanking plate do I need?
Match the back box. A single 1-gang box takes a 1-gang blank, a double 2-gang box takes a 2-gang blank. For grid and euro plates, use a blank module to fill a single aperture.
What is the difference between a blank plate and a blank module?
A blank plate covers a whole back box. A blank module is a small insert that fills a single unused aperture in a grid switch or euro plate.
How much do blanking plates cost?
At Kent Traders, BG blanking plates start at around £3.07 for a single plate. Free delivery applies on BG orders over £50.
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