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    lightbulbs are constantly blowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Another contributing factor is our UK voltage level. Most of our lamps are made abroad these days, so are made for 220-230V (which means they are built to the lower end of the manufacturing standard, as are most things). Despite our UK voltage being nominally 230V, the substations still knock...
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    who answers for this mess?

    Someone has sent or will send you a bill for moving the cable. The one you pay is the one you have the contract with and so they're the one you have the argument with; if they appointed someone to act on their behalf (eg sub-contractor) it's still the responsibility of the main contractor. pj
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    Extractor fan wiring

    Bear in mind that a humidistat checks humidity levels - that doesn't just mean the humidity levels left by the bath/shower water, but includes the humidity level in the atmosphere. To minimise the atmospheric background effect, run it with the door and windows shut. pj
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    Downlighters for a Bathroom?

    In a bathroom you'd be better off with the IP65 rated fittings - these have seals that stop moisture (steam, humidity) getting past the fitting and into the void above, where it would condense and cause damp/promote mould growth, etc. Some seem to think that the IP65 fittings are only needed...
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    wet room floor lights

    An alternative could be low-level countersunk wall lights (like the outdoor brick lights) - you get the light at (almost) floor level without any of the water leakage worries. pj
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    inline fan in bathroom

    How long is the pipe run from the shower vent to the extractor and the extractor to the outside vent? Longer runs reduce effectiveness. pj
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    Approx Cost - Re wire 4 Bed Semi

    Just because the cable is "red and black" doesn't automatically mean it has to be ripped out and replaced. If it's uPVC wrapped it's likely still in perfectly good condition, though the lighting might be missing an earth. Almost certainly there won't be enough sockets, or in the right places, so...
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    How would this shower cable be routed?

    If the cable is to be completely hidden it will mean opening the ceiling, drilling through joists to run the cable, then replastering and redecorating the ceiling. If you don't mind the intrusion on the decor, trunking can be run round the room at coving level with the cable inside that...
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    Dodgy Downlights: Best way to replace?

    Debatable. Colour is subjective and will vary with room decoration One unit for four lights means single point of failure. One per light means that if one fails there are still three lights working. I would always go for 240V downlights as then there is only the lamp to fail and need...
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    Flush metal mounting boxes

    35mm will give you more room to work if you're not experienced at fitting wires, but they also require deeper chasing out (ie more work wall bashing!!) 25mm would be adequate for what you want to do - you pays your money, takes your choice pj
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    Flush metal mounting boxes

    For most uses the 25mm deep boxes are adequate. If there are a lot of wires to accommodate, or you're using slimline sockets (where all the works sit further back into the wall) go for the 35mm. The 47mm are usually only for cooker sockets (where the cable is heavier and needs more space) or...
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    Vent-axia Extractor fan: What am I doing wrong?

    Perhaps I'm being thick but I'm not clear what's not working. The old one came on when the light was switched on and went off two minutes after the light was switched off. The new one .... ? pj
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    Future Proof Wire for Solar Panel

    If the installation follows the usual pattern of inverter up near the panels, it'll be 240V AC running down the drop cable to the consumer unit, not the 12V panel output. All sorts of variables depending on the eventual installation, but as you're trying to future-proofall you can do is plan...
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    Future Proof Wire for Solar Panel

    Depends how much roof area you have and therefore how many panels you could accommodate. Most domestic roof areas can't fit more than 4kw-worth (at present panel capacities) in which case a 4mm cable would be ample. But if the panels are that much better by the time (if) you fit them, 6mm would...
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    Where to report dodgy electrical job

    All of that is pure rubbish workmanship and electrically bad. Definitely one for Trading Standards. And if you got him off Rated People you need to go to them, too. Give him some non-star feedback and suggest to RP that their rating system isn't up to much in this case. pj
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    Where to report dodgy electrical job

    Cross-wiring circuits so it needs two MCBs switched off to kill the power IS wrong, no two ways about it, so that's wrong to start with. I suppose one could be generous and say the "electrician" might have sent you someone else's certificate/results by mistake, but that's pretty sloppy. Does...
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    Downlighters - a ccautionary tale

    Had the same in a flat a few years back. The callout was because every time the light was switched on the MCB tripped. After a couple of goes I pinpointed the problem fitting (there was a quick flash when it went bang - just as well to find the right one out of a dozen downlights). The feed...
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    bathroom downlights

    In my experience most people seem to use a load of decorator's caulk to make them stick - the wrongness of this becomes obvious next time a lamp needs changing ... I reckon the best thing to do is drill out new holes for the fittings a few inches away, then fill in and redecorate the original...
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    Silly

    While certain aspects of electrics are simple, straightforward and not in need of training and qualifications, most of it is, especially if you're going to be charging people for your efforts and their lives are potentially dependent on you getting it right. You don't have to be employed to...
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    Tenants have been meddling with electrics on boiler

    Talk to the agent about the letting contract - there should be a clause that says the tenant shouldn't be making changes to the property without your (the landlord's) express permission. Tell the tenant you're getting in an electrician to check it over (the agent should have one on the books if...
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