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Another reason why people do this is because they intend to put decorative light fittings up, so it makes it much easier than having to reterminate three cables and stuff the decorative fitting with connectors (especially as some aren't really designed with that in mind). Not always a safe...

Hiya, There are several issues here (I am a pro by the way). Can't be too detailed in my response because there is more to it than the info we currently have. I know this goes beyond the scope of your question, but it opens up other issues. If my memory is correct (don't have access to...

The reason stealing an earth would be dangerous is as follows: 1) If you steal an earth from, say, the ring circuit (ie run an earth wire from a socket), then someone needs to disconnect the ring circuit wiring from the consumer unit to carry out testing or alterations, they have, without...

No problem, matey, glad it's sorted. Must fix that signature, thanks for pointing it out.. Have a good one P :D :shock: :roll:

Breezer has a point - look back to where the outer sheath of the cables have been stripped off, and you may see a cut earth wire - if so you may be able to pull some more cable through and reterminate. To be honest though, I'd have to say it's more likely that there are no earths, in which case...

Scoby, I feel good, baby, yeah! I was getting worried - thought you had me there for a minute!! ;-) Move both the Neutral and live of your spur to the outgoing neutral and live terminals on the MCB/RCD that feeds the ring circuit - you should see where the two blacks and two reds of the...

If your lighting system does not have earth wires, I'm afraid you need to get the lighting (and maybe more) in your house rewired. It is possible to 'steal' an earth connection from elsewhere, but I would not recommend it, there are potential dangers to doing this (although a lot of people...

Hmm, that's a mystery then. Shouldn't happen, can't think of another reason. Oh, hang on, not beaten yet... Even though you have non-split board, is the MCB feeding your sockets actually a combined MCB/RCD - ie does the breaker that kept tripping have a test switch on? It may also be...

By the way, if you do go for one of the bulbs I suggested above, I'd try the double life one first. I have a vague recollection that someone once told me rough service lamps don't give out as much light for the wattage. I can't say whether this is true though, I guess it's trial and error...

Hmm, could be tricky, but I have one idea.. Do you have a split board? ie, one that has an RCD feeding some of the circuits, and the rest just fed from the main switch? If so, there are two Neutral Bars in your consumer unit, one for the circuits fed just from the main isolator, the other...

Scoby is correct, this is not because your CU is too small, you probably have a fault, either on an appliance or on the wiring itself. I assume it's one of the MCBs that are tripping, not the RCD. Is it a breaker that feeds the sockets? If so try Scooby's advice. Does it tend to trip when...

scoby, As for bracing the ceiling, the existing light is probably screwed to a joist, anyway - if you do the same it won't need bracing, just ensure yours is screwed through the palsterboard into the wooden joist. If your existing light is just screwed into plasterboard between two joists...

In an overload the wires will heat up, the higher the overload the hotter they will get. Eventually the insulation will melt and/or catch fire (or catch fire to something adjacent to it). The Fuse or MCB will go when the wires touch because the insulation has melted, or if the wires touch...

emailrob, Is this a special thermostat that just has a low voltage wire connecting it to the boiler? Normal thermostats are mains-voltage, most definitely not wired in bell-wire (or anything similar), and usually have three wires (a live, switch live, neutral (plus of course and earth)...

wjm, If you must run then near each other, try to at least keep them some inches apart. Screened cable won't always stop interference, especially if the shielding is not grounded to earth. In some circumstances it can make it worse (acts as an aerial) Also it is against wiring regs to...

Gents, Sorry to disagree with just about everyone here, but this is, in my view, the simplest way to wire a loft light - I always try to avoid using junction boxes - it's another weak link in the system: SWITCH THE JUICE OFF FIRST. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND AND FEEL...

DIYLee, When wiring in lofts, to make it tidier (and better if you store lots or are going to board it), we usually run cables along in the joist spaces, next to the insulation (but not right under it) - on a keen day it's worth clipping it to the joist with a clip here and there, but don't...

Hiya, I agree with Breezer, but just to add another posibility, is the shade on the light quite close-fitting around the bulb? In my experience the bulb will last less time in a fitting where the heat cannot escape - the cooler a bulb can stay, the longer it will last. That said, the...

A bit more info about the question of why you should not spur off of a spur etc: 2.5 T+CPC cable can carry about 24 amps. In a ring, that effectively doubles it to 48 amps - it is protected by a 30Amp fuse/MCB, therefore safe. If you spur from a spur and so on (i've seen people run lots...

masona, Brezzer is correct on both counts - places where there are risks of explosion use fitting that are known as 'intrinsically safe' which means no sparks can escape. And the lady would almost certainly have been saved by a 30mA RCD but probably not a 100mA. As for your friend, I...