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Thanks breezer. The neon is a crap screwdriver too, so in the bin they'll both go. I've just been reading the other thread on this (that'll teach me to scroll down and read first :oops: ), so I'm off to buy myself a multi-meter tomorrow. Any recommendations?

I'm in the process of replacing an outside light - straightforward swap. Nothing wrong with the previous light - just damned ugly :D I tested the junction block inside the old fitting before removing it, using a non-contact tester (the type that bleeps if there's a live nearby) and a...

My lounge has two light fittings installed by the previous owner, each with 3x 50W GU10 halogen bulbs. Both fittings run from a single dimmer switch - the 'push to switch on/off' type. All fine after we moved in (9 months ago), until recently when one of the bulbs blew ... and so did the...

Thanks breezer Cable run is inside (out of loft through ceiling, down through a corner of a bedroom inside trunking, then out through the wall at skirting-board level, straight into the PIR) Out of interest - would that be a problem if it was outside? I assume from your question it would need...

Fair enough. Would it be safe enough to do this as a temporary measure for a week or so, until I've had chance to run the new 4-core cable (providing cable is sleeved and labelled, and I make notes on what I've done)? I'd prefer not to be without the security light in the meantime, but I don't...

Thanks for the info. Yes, the PIR is double-insulated, so it doesn't need to be earthed. So if I make sure the exposed 'earth' (now neutral) cable within the PIR and within the JB in the loft are properly sleeved and labelled, then make sure the whole thing is fused appropriately ... I...

OK ... I won't do that then. But just out of interest (and sorry if this is a stupid question) what's unsafe - presumably that the 'earth' cable isn't sheathed within the outer cable insulation? Thanks for the advice.

One more question ... the light is connected via a JB in the loft, and it's obviously just the live I want to switch via the PIR. So, can I use the earth wire in the existing 3-core cable to the PIR to act as the neutral supply to the PIR? The PIR wouldn't be earthed, but as the earth wire...

Thanks Breezer - now I just have to persuade the wife that this was part of my plan in the first place ... :wink:

I have a standard 150W security light on the back of my house high on the wall, wired via a standlone PIR halfway down the wall. This used to be powered via a plug in my daughter's bedroom, and worked fine. I wanted to move the power source to the loft, to hook this light in with a couple of...

Fair enough ... but what about the fuse rating for the FCU serving 4x60W bulbs, a TV signal booster and a couple of 500W security lights?

Thanks breezer Yep, just checked - loft is on the load side of the cupboard FCU. So is it okay for the spur to come from the immersion heater switch? I'll be running a TV signal booster and a couple of 500W external security lights wired via a junction box into a standard 3-pin plug, into...

The previous occupant of my house (1990s-built) installed power in the loft to run a few lights and a double socket for a TV signal booster plus external security lights. The power source is a spur from an immersion heater switch in the airing cupboard, via a fused connection unit in the airing...

I have one of these taps, but it's suddenly stopped diverting water to the shower outlet when you push down the ring. The water pressure should be enough to keep it in place until you lift the ring again. Question is, how do these things work? Should I be looking to replace a washer or something?

Thanks for the advice, masona - door is now fitted, looks good, and even the wife is happy ... :P

Nope, it was converted into a room by the previous owners (all approved by building control when we bought the place, so no problems there). It's just that they didn't do a great job - sorting out the door is the first in a long list of (mainly cosmetic) things to sort out ...

I've moved into a house with a garage conversion, but the original door from kitchen to garage was never replaced (old, heavy fire door). I want to replace this, but I'll need to fit a new door liner as the original one is incomplete on what was the garage side. It's a modern house (12ish...

I moved into my current house just before Christmas, and now I'm thinking about what I'm going to do with the garden (fed up of painting indoors!) It's a fairly level plot, mainly lawn - garden is about 33ft x 50ft, but towards the end of the garden it falls away slightly - just by a few...

As far as I know it's a pretty bog-standard 'plastic' bath - so it that fibreglass? I've just found a bath resurfacing product here - looks like that might do the job?

OK - this may be a bit of a stupid question, but here goes ... :roll: In a bathroom with a very dated burgundy bath/toilet/sink, are there any easy/cheap alternatives to replacing the whole lot? Are there any paints, coatings etc that could be used to magically transform the manky burgundy...