Search results

And what counts as a new installation? For example changing a light fitting or socket? I have changed light fittings but left the original wiring in tact for example. How is this different from changing a socket but leaving the original none RCD protected cable in place?

I will tidy this up, put them in chocboxes and put them into the ceiling void but in a way that still makes them accessible. I have already put sleeving on the earth cables. Will also use heat resistant flex. Anyway I can't be certain which wire should go to the N and which should go...

About ten years ago when I was younger my dad drilled through a cable. I was too busy with new mobile phone to play any attention to what he was doing. It didn't blow the fuse at the consumer unit but it did blow the DNO fuse. I know instantly what had happened as all the circuits in the...

I guess it is arcing or the fact if the voltage is unstable it will cause the bulb to flicker slightly thus reducing its life. All I know is changing the fitting certainly solved the problem for me, it is only a standard 240w 100W but it has not blown since I changed the fitting and that was...

It could just be cheap fittings. Bulbs kept blowing in our dining room, so I simply wired in a new flex and socket from the ceiling hose and has been fine since then. Another time was when a faulty dimmer was causing bulbs to blow. What brand are the bulbs they are using? Some GU10 lasts...

Depending how much plugs you need TLC sell 12 way sockets for around £20 they are bar style ones. I use them in my workshop and it makes for a very neat installation.

Thanks for clearing this up. Either way if I end up replacing the cable I will use 10mm obviously even if I end up keeping the cable I will buy a clamp and scrape the paint of the pipe and of course bridge the plastic. Now just got plumbing nightmares to solve :).

Ironically the biggest fire risk these days seems to be the fridge freezer. Check on the manufactures website that there has not been a recall for this. As said the recorder box (PVR) works completely separately from the TV so will work fine if it is on standby but the TV is plugged out...

It is a TN-S supply. I am not sure if this makes much different as I assume a fault can cause can cause a large amount of current to flow through the earth cable regardless of what the appliance consumes, but we have no electric cooker or shower.

Thanks John, My concern was that access might be very difficult due to a glued down fitted carpet which would need to be lifted in order to reroute the earth cable. I am hoping that I can simple keep the old cable but it might not be possible. If I did join the cable I would make sure it is...

Thanks just done a bit of reading on all this, and because it is not the main earth I can upgrade the cable without having to notify building control but if it was the main earth (e.g it acted as only earth rod) it would be. I would also be interested if I can just join a new wire onto the...

Thanks edited my post above as now I have seen the cable is at the back I am not quite so concerned. I will post a picture of the main bar if I need to replace the cable, if not I will leave it in its place and just get a clamp to properly attach it to the pipe and bridge the plastic compression...

I have just traced the cable back, it is a 6mm cable from a metal bar underneath the consumer unit where another 6mm cable branches of it. One goes to the gas tank the other to the pipes in the kitchen. There is a 10mm (I assume) cable also branching of it to the main supply from the ground...

I am not sure where the existing cable starts from, so I may not be able to replace the entire length :( So what you're saying is there is no way I can simply extend the existing cable? If so I will probably just have to run it inside the cabinet if I can't replace it. Not sure what size the...

In the next few weeks once the post Christmas rush is over I hope to rip out the kitchen and put a new one in. The problem is the existing CPC cable from the consumer unit to the kitchen sink pipe (main water pipe coming into the house) is built round the existing unit which is about 50 years...

Surely an FCU would have been better? Not seen many professional alarm panels that require a plug, but some cheaper DIY domestic ones to as do some of the more consumer grade wireless ones. My concern would be that it the new socket could be a spur of a spur, what tests did he do to confirm...

I am currently repairing the kitchen celling hole (about 150cm by 130cm) by using plasterboard which I will then skim over. I have to some work on the electrics as the old light fitting was fed by imperial aluminium PVC which was then connected to terminal block which was not accessible. I have...

The earth core might have been added at an extra date to make the existing circuit comply with the regulations. Don't even think about putting on metal face plates until you are more than 100% certain the earth is there and working. I would just get a spark in to check your electrics over. I...

I am a DIYer but quite experienced in wiring up sockets and I have used one of the generic convertor ones, I think it was made by Volex. For some reason I found wiring it tricky compared to a normal double socket. I think the wall isn't completely true so it was very hard to align it to the...

That is the problem, I would assume Maplin would be careful about where they get cables from as they have a lot more to loose than the dodgy trader on ebay who only sell what they can make a good profit on. With chargers now I usually brands such as Anker and Lavolta as they are always good...