About
The socketandswitch bead and the spotlightbead are designed and made in England , by a ethically run family business
They are covered by two British Patents.
They are made from flame retardant polypropylene. This material is recyclable and provision is being made for a return to source service for the cut out centre sections .
Spec sheets are available on request.
When plastered in they provide IP54 protection
media and awards
professional builder article
professional builder article
professional builder article
We were pleased to have our beads featured in the professional builder magazine ,with a page and a half feature
professional electrician
professional builder article
professional builder article
We were also lucky to have a article in the professional electrician magazine
product of the year
professional builder article
product of the year
We were lucky enough to receive a product of the year award from the professional electrician magazine
The new way to do sockets and switches
First fix
Do you cut out your spotlights before or after plastering?
Boarding/tacking takes place
The electrician comes in and first fixes. When installing spotlights, the electrician will place the cable as close to the finish position as possible.
Boarding/tacking takes place
Do you cut out your spotlights before or after plastering?
Boarding/tacking takes place
This can result in cables being very easily lost or damaged as follow on trades come in.
Do you cut out your spotlights before or after plastering?
Do you cut out your spotlights before or after plastering?
Do you cut out your spotlights before or after plastering?
With current practice, if you cut out your spotlights and retreive your cables, the plasterer will struggle to make a good job as it is difficult to plaster around a hole.
With the new spotlightbead, cables can be retrieved/terminated/tested. The spotlightbead is then placed over the cutout making it safe for the plasterer as they are protected from potentially live connections.
The plasterer is happy as they have a edge to work to and the absence of a hole makes the process much easier and more accurate.
The same applies to sockets and switches
For more details on the socketandswitch bead click on the picture below
Do you cut out your spotlights before or after plastering?
The stripping/terminating / testing of sockets and switches at this stage also allows the confirmation of circuits and allows any rectification to take place before plastering/ painting has taken place.
Much easier with fewer problems
For more details on the socketandswitch bead click on the picture below
For more details on the socketandswitch bead click on the picture below
This process means there is no need for the electrician to come back until all the other trades have finished.
The painter can easily put a roller over or spray straight over, as is becoming more popular, without any need to brush around.
For more details on the socketandswitch bead click on the picture below
For more details on the socketandswitch bead click on the picture below
For more details on the socketandswitch bead click on the picture below
When the paint is dry and all the other trades have left the site, the electrician simply taps the remaining plaster from the front plate/removes the screws to reveal a perfectly clean set of connections and a smart reinforced plastic edge, which protrudes 9.5mm into the plasterboard, covering the easily damaged edge, confident that there are no problems or lost cables
This means no making good, no countercharging and no delays in schedule.
The float and set bead
The float and set bead
Use on new blockwork / brickwork
Use on new blockwork / brickwork
the float and set bead is similar to the socketandswitch bead . But it is better suited to thick coats , like sand and cement and hardwall and limework.
Use on new blockwork / brickwork
Use on new blockwork / brickwork
Use on new blockwork / brickwork
when used on fresh walls the bead is the backbox position doesn’t control the position of the bead , as long as it doesn’t protrude more than 12mm
Cable entry positions
Use on new blockwork / brickwork
Cable entry positions
it’s preferential for 35mm backboxes to be used with the box recessed in the wall by 22mm , this allows for fully sunken conduit or piping
Refurb positioning
Refurb positioning
Cable entry positions
With refurb work the bead can be positioned on gripfill / silicon / sand and cement/ plaster ,so it sits either flush to the wall face or 2mm in front for a overskim .
Plastering up
Refurb positioning
The finished result
the bead can be easily plastered up to safely . if fitted correctly then it achieves ip54 so even if live the plaster is working in safety , as are the decorators also
The finished result
Refurb positioning
The finished result
once finished the float and set bead produces the same excellent results as the socketandswitch bead . And provides an opportunity for the electricians to use early termination and testing which eliminates mistakes. And provides more safety for workers .
About Us
Pete Carter
Socket and Switch bead
Spotlight Bead
Designed and developed this product using over 35 years of experience in the plastering and building industry. "After plastering a ceiling with over forty spots cut out I thought 'there has to be a better way to do this' I created the product, obtained the patent and got them manufactured"
Spotlight Bead
Socket and Switch bead
Spotlight Bead
A new and innovative idea which improves the instalation of spotlights and reduces risk to the user.
Socket and Switch bead
Socket and Switch bead
Socket and Switch bead
Available in single and double sizes, they make it possible to achieve a perfect finish and improve health and safety.
frequently asked questions
How do you fix them?
Do you have to use the socket screws?
Do you have to use the socket screws?
A few staples are enough, as the plaster that envelopes the edge ultimatly holds them securely in place.
Do you have to use the socket screws?
Do you have to use the socket screws?
Do you have to use the socket screws?
If the metal box sits to the face of the wall, then staples are enough. But if the box sits further than 9.5mm from the surface then the indentations should be pushed through and socket screws used. This ensure alignment to the back box.
What do you use to cut them out?
Do you have to use the socket screws?
What do you use to cut them out?
A couple of good taps to the centre of the bead once the plaster has full set ( ideally a couple of days) , removes the plaster from the face . I then recommend either the specialist cutting tool I sell on the website, or a hooked blade , as these can’t easily slip or damage the cables.
What size cutouts are available?
What happens when sockets are too close together
What happens if a outlet needs to remain live?
The bead has a outer cut line at 72mm which is the largest cutout possible . The bead also has a centre indentation which allows the use of a hole saw for smaller cutouts, with the smallest practical size being 57mm as the intumescent seal must contact the plaster to keep its fire integrity.
What happens if a outlet needs to remain live?
What happens when sockets are too close together
What happens if a outlet needs to remain live?
If a outlet needs to have the faceplate in position. I recommend the use of a (sockit) or (yoozybox) to be fitted , with one of my beads . This works out very well as the bead stops the plaster from tightening against the yoozybox and gives the plasterer a edge to work to .and prevents direct electrical contact.
What happens when sockets are too close together
What happens when sockets are too close together
What happens when sockets are too close together
If sockets or switches are close together, then simply cut off the edge with scissors or tin snips.
beadmaster
In april of 2019 sales were growing to a point where we needed assistance to grow fast enough to meet demand ,and a deal was struck between myself and Aask us of bicester for the manufacture and distribution of the socketandswitch bead and spotlight bead. They were rebranded as beadmaster Square/rectangle and circle.