Electrical switch paint protector

thingiverse

I designed this as I'm fed up with my painter and decorator getting paint on the lighting and power switch plates. I prefer all my electrical switches to be screwed off the wall so that the wall can be painted behind. The issue with this is the switch often 'droops' on the attached wires and touches the wall below it. The painter can't paint neatly under the switch plate and it ends up touching the freshly painted wall creating a mark in the paint. I created two files. One for Double Sockets Outlets (13a DSO’s) with two spaces, 5mm and 10mm. The second file is universal and for Double Socket Outlets, Single Socket Outlets and light switches. This also has two spaces of 5mm and 10mm. This is designed to fit different width face plates. The gap can either be left open or a bit of tape used to cover the face plate to stop any paint splashes. **V0.4** update. The universal model has been changed so that it fits a standard single switch (SSO). For larger switchs (DSO's) simply break the two halfs apart. The spacers can be easily broken off, select which ever spacer is suitable. If the existing screw is long enough both spaces can be used together creating a total spacing of 15mm from the back box lugs. Safety Note, If unsure about removing switch plates get an electrician to do this for you. The electrical supply must be switched off to the circuit before any work on the electrical switches takes place. Warning. Unscrewing electrical switches may look easy but can result is wires coming loose from the rear terminals of the unit. If unsure ask an electrician to do it for you.