Installation guide
How to plaster around sockets & light switches
Fit single and double socket beads cleanly and safely, from preparing the opening to removing the centre after the plaster has cured.
Read the guidePractical plastering guidance
Plastering guides for sockets, switches & downlights.
Find practical answers for plastering around plug sockets, back boxes, light switches, spotlights and downlights. Each guide covers one job or problem, with links to the relevant bead where it can help.
Ceiling guide
How do I plaster around a downlight or spotlight?
Keep the downlight position visible, give the plasterer a closed surface and reopen the correct diameter after the ceiling has cured.
Read the guideProblem guide
How to protect sockets and back boxes when plastering
Keep wet plaster out of socket and switch openings, and know what to do if a back box has already been covered or contaminated before second fix.
Read the guideProblem guide
Why plaster cracks around sockets and how to reduce it
Understand why socket and switch openings are vulnerable to chipped or cracked edges and how preparation, support and curing affect the finish.
Read the guideCeiling problem guide
How to keep downlight cables accessible when plastering
Keep a spotlight or downlight position easy to find while the ceiling is skimmed, then reopen only the cutout required by the chosen fitting.
Read the guideElectrical finish problem
Why is my socket recessed after plastering?
A socket or light switch that sits too far back after skimming usually points to the finished wall depth, the back-box position or an uneven surface. Work out the cause before tightening the faceplate.
Read the guideCeiling repair guide
Downlight hole too big: what can I do?
If a new spotlight is smaller than the existing ceiling cutout, measure both before choosing a wider fitting, a matched converter or a proper plasterboard repair.
Read the guideSelection guide
Which PC Products bead do I need?
Choose by opening type, finishing system and actual fitting dimensions—not just by the product nickname.
Read the guideElectrical safety still comes first.
Securely isolate the relevant circuit and prove it dead before work where required. Electrical work should be completed by a competent person.
Ready to choose?