Various bits of work needed... Various questions!

[DIYNotIan]

Hi all

We'll be having some work carried out on the house electrics soon. We've got an electrician doing most of the work, although I might do some of the bits that I am allowed to. But I am also doing a lot of the planning of the work to be done by the electrician. So I just need to clarify a few things if anyone wouldn't mind pitching in?

Sorry the title's so vague...

1. How can things be left in the area above ceilings / below first floor floors, if I want to leave provision for future sockets/lights to be added after some other work has been done on the house? Can excess cable be left or are there rules against that? That would be my preference. But if not, is putting a junction box in at this stage an acceptable approach so that the new light/socket can be taken from that?

2. What are the rules for wiring in lofts? Can cable be left loose with some slack (I'll want to insulate the loft at some point and would rather the cables are on top of the insulation)? Or must they be clipped and tight?

3. Can a bathroom light be fit by a DIYer? The wiring is already there, and so is the switch (outside the room).
So it would just be putting in a new light. I know the light has to be made for bathrooms/wet areas. Just wasn't sure if it has to be an electrician who does it because of where it is.

4. Changing single sockets to doubles with a converter. Is this allowed to be done DIY? Is it as straight forward as it looks? Anything to look out for or consider?

5. I know it is not a simple single answer, but is there a general rule of thumb for maximum cable runs for mains rings (on 2.5mm) and lighting (on 1.5mm)? With lighting, is all of the wiring counted or just some?

6. Does everything have to be tip top before the electrician can issue a certificate? For example, part of the house needs to be renovated, but in the meantime it is still being used. However, the consumer unit for this part of the house is going to be changed for a more modern / safer one. But at the same time, there are some things which aren't great... Some sockets would ideally be replaced. Some flooring is up and the wiring (and junction boxes) are therefore exposed. But I see little point in addressing these things now as the renovation will start soonish and any further electrical work done now will only have to be undone then. I'm guessing that means he won't be able to "sign it off" but wasn't sure... I guess if he can't he can always sign it off when the rest of the work is finished later in the year...

Any thoughts and help most gratefully appreciated.

Cheers

 

[donrkebab]

After a quick rubdown with the regs.

1. You can do whatever you prefer.
2. Cables can be loose or clipped, as it's an inaccessible area, but avoid clipping on top of joists to avoid cables being trodden on. You should avoid covering in insulation.
3. Yes, you can.
4. Yes, you can, but why not install standard doubles in the first place?.
5. It is recommended that 30A ring circuits should not cover an area larger than 100²mts.
6. The certificate does not have to cover everything, but the items it does cover must be clearly defined and separate from unincluded items.

Seems to me you are over thinking this, as your spark should know all the answers. You should consider doing all the work in one hit, because the work causes a lot of disruption ie. decorations damaged, carpets/furniture removed. Also consider data/phone cabling.

Hopefully my response will enable you to compose a more detailed list of queries.

 

[blup]

A decent electrician will from experience know how to design and install what you want, but might struggle with second guessing what might happen in the future, so wise to do as much as you can identify this time round, or just the essentials and do it in one big hit later.

Blup

 

[winston1]

1. Don't put junction boxes in. They can always be fitted later if required for extra sockets.

5. Max cable length for a ring is just over 100m, say one complete real. 1.5mm cable is 'over the top' for lighting circuits. Use 1.0mm cable.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Re

6. Does everything have to be tip top before the electrician can issue a certificate?

The only person who can issue a CERTIFICATE is the person who designed, installed and tested the work. An electrician should not certify or (when necessary) notify work done by somebody else (like you).

An electrician can test and inspect work that has been done by somebody else and provide a REPORT that states that the installation is or is not satisfactory.