my vacuum cleaner fused into the socket on the wall. i have managed to take the socket out, but how do i ground the socket before i have a replacement part? do i reconnect the wires together and cover it up, or leave the wires unconnected? i'm a novice diy guy - so make the explanation simple.

will, February 2009

Hopefully you have switched off the supply to the circuit supplying the socket.
If not do it now.
If the socket is part of a RING circuit it will have two red or brown, two black or blue and two green/yellow sleeved wires.
EACH PAIR is connected separately to the socket terminals ie red/brown LIVE, black/blue NEUTRAL, and green/yellow EARTH

Temporary connection can be made using a junction box or equivalent but much simpler to fit a new socket now

The mounting box should also have a sleeved earth wire connecting it to the socket

Asanewt, February 2009