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    Changing my lighting to Solar with Transformer

    Indeed you are correct I just used the wrong word - in understand that the panels will either produce 12 or 24 volts DC which I will then charge the batteries with. The Inverter (inc transformer) will step up to mains voltage AC which I then have to get into the lighting circuit somehow. I can...
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    Changing my lighting to Solar with Transformer

    1. I would have to replace every light fitting in the house. (I assume) Thats 16 bulbs, 18 switches (i only replaced with flushmount brushed chrome a year ago), 16 fittings. 2. Can you really get low energy 12v DC bulbs that give decent light? 3. Then there is running everything from DC I...
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    Replace standard with energy saving

    Hi, I have the following:- 3 x 50 Watt MR16 12V non directional spotlights in the Lounge 1 x Cluster of 3 spotlights in Bathroom 1 x line of 4 MR16 spotlights in the Kitchen I want to replace all with low energy. Lounge - I do not want to mess around filling holes. Want to remove...
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    Earth problem in lighting circuit?

    Wow - finally got round to replying! I kind of did several things at once: 1. Some fool had left a live lighting cable running from a junction box feeding the downstairs lights running up conduit alongside the ringmain in my bedroom upstairs , it was cut and taped and left behind a socket. I...
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    Changing my lighting to Solar with Transformer

    Hi, I would like to get some solar generating going and like to get things done under my own steam however I respect electricity enough to bring in help where I need it. Basically I want to power my lighting circuit (whole house on one circuit) in my 3 bed semi using solar PV with the option...
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    Rewiring my lights bit by bit?

    That doesn't sound very nice ;) Indeed it does look to me like the feed for upstairs is through the hall / landing feed and so yes I will need to be careful. Isolating the circuit and keeping that on the downstairs circuit would be best I think.
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    Rewiring my lights bit by bit?

    Thanks all. Kevnurse - The brass screw that holds the fuse wire in is half melted, I suspect that the previous occupiers put a larger fusewire in due to the fuse keep blowing. When I moved in I replaced a lot of the bulbs with energy saving ones and have removed a raft of spotlights as well...
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    Rewiring my lights bit by bit?

    I have a three bed semi built late 60's. I have an old style fuse board but for some reason all the lighting in the house is one big lighting circuit running off the one 5 amp supply. I finally understand the layout now (the previous occupant had odd views on electrical safety) and am thinking...
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    External Cable to Garage

    Yeah - I just found that too lol. So I guess that scuppers that plan :( Excerpt below: Protection of the cables The cable run from the house to the garage must be suitably protected either by being run overhead (see Regulation 412-05-01) or buried in the ground (Regulation 522-06-03...
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    External Cable to Garage

    I actually got a 4 way 80amp insulated from TLC - just in case i wanted to run other stuff later. Not sure TBH - thought at least the law would be to cap. Not sure what cliting is (sorry) and not really sure what J brackets are! I work in IT and so my electrical knowledge is self taught...
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    External Cable to Garage

    I have a detached garage approx 2m from my house. Separating them is a very nice professionally laid patio... unfortunately the power to the garage was not so professional - It was two inches below the garden soil where my pickaxe found it and wired to the back of a socket in my kitchen. I DO...
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    Replacing lights above a bath and shower

    My brother has had his bathroom renovated (two rooms knocked into one). This is an ex council house and they have two pendant lights in the bathroom, one above the bath / shower and one over the other side near the toilet. I told them this was very dangerous and have bought them two 12v class...
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    Thermostat a good idea for ceramic heater in conservatory?

    I am having a new conservatory put up at the moment. I have bought a 400w ceramic heater which has no switch or thermostat. I wondered, If i bought a room thermostat would the sun shining on it cause it to switch off even if they room temp wasn't that high? Also, I have an old style fuse...
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    Earth problem in lighting circuit?

    Ok - flickering when on yes.. Flickering when off, I wouldn't expect that. We are talking about once every 15 - 20 seconds. Although I don;t notice it it drives my wife mad. Now - to the wander lead thing. I have a multimeter, you are suggesting I test whether the earth upstairs is...
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    Earth problem in lighting circuit?

    Noticed the other night that our energy saving bulb was lightly flickering every so often when switched off so decided to change the rose. When I thought about it more wondered how it could pulse when switched off... Checked the circuit and found 12v on both the earth and neutral when nothing...
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    Subsiding Conservatory - jack it up or wait for fall down?

    Well not sure on this. The Surveyor said "The Conservatory is of basic construction and may be subject to subsidence in the future as it appears to be built on top of the patio with no footings." Actually, none of the doors closed as it had dropped so much, there were clear signs that the...
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    Domestic house rewire by non uk qualified electrician

    So OK: They shouldn't ask me to get someone in. What's the alternative here? I know they don't have the facility to do it so what's next. Remember, I am potentially going to do something out of the norm here, I really don't want to get massively embroiled in a dispute with the local BC...
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    Domestic house rewire by non uk qualified electrician

    I called the LABC for Wealden District Council who are responsible for my area. The first person I spoke to basically said "You must have a Part P registered person do the work, we will not come out and certify" After I quoted the documents I found here she admitted that it was not her area...
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    Domestic house rewire by non uk qualified electrician

    His english is very good, as is pretty much every Dutch person I have ever met - puts us english to shame! I have pointed him at the TLC-Direct guide, the ieee website and a book in Amazon.com. He has first hand experience of seeing what UK wiring is like as he helped me install a 500 point...
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    Subsiding Conservatory - jack it up or wait for fall down?

    I have an old (1987) aluminium conservatory which has subsided in one corner to the point where the doors no longer close and i'm worried the glass may shatter. This has happened because it was built on top of a patio with no footings... Now I don't have the money to replace it right now...
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