I have two power outlets in this room, one is a normal 3-pin (UK) plate cover and the other is a fused (switched) plate cover (much like the one below).
I've know removed them and wish to put them back, but unfortunately I do not remember which one goes where. The outlets both have the same wires coming out (one live, one neutral and one earth).
Is there a way to tell them apart? Are they actually the same thing and I can swap them over?
Fused connection units are used for a variety of purposes. In some cases the input and output wiring may both be fixed wiring in the wall, but other times the output wiring may be a flexible cable leading to a fixed appliance.
If you see a fused connection unit with only one set of wires* (or with multiple sets of wires that are all connected to the input terminals), then that almost certainly means it was used to feed an appliance which has since been removed. Being in the lounge I think a wall-mounted heater is most likely.
It is most likely safe to replace the fused connection unit with a socket, but to be absoloutely sure you need to know where it is fed from.
* Or with two sets of wires that are both connected to the input terminals.
It's a switched outlet to connect to something else (a washer, dryer, ceiling fan etc) so there should be another set of wires going from this switch to whatever it's supplying.
The incoming 'hot' cable can be the same one that goes to the socket, it's a 13A switch so can be on a regular ring main
"The outlets both have the same wires coming out (one live, one neutral and one earth).
Is there a way to tell them apart? Are they actually the same thing and I can swap them over?"
You are considering connecting a live wire to safety earth. LETHAL. LETHAL. LETHAL.
Sorry, but you should not be doing this work yourself. It is illegal to, is one thing, because you are not qualified. I could live with that if it didn't matter, but it is clear that you don't understand what the wires are doing in the installation. Electricity can kill people and there is far more to even a minimum standard of electrical safety than you aware of. Please, get an electrician in.
