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Hi Jim, Obviously its hard to be specific without knowing a lot more about your setup (usual disclaimers so don't sue me if it doesn't work, etc..) In general, I see no reason why a spur to the external socket should be a problem - the only issue will be choice of cable and ensuring the...

Yep B&Q do them - standard plugs with a switch/neon built into the top - seem quite an elegant solution. They also do triple adapter plug ins with 3 separate switches on the top... Gavin

Agreed avoiding short circuits is a good thing, but only in normal usage... I see the point, just that I can also see the point that in a fault scenario (a phase wire comes loose, breaking the ring) blowing the fuse might be advantageous, if annoying... Having said that, a socket with two...

Can you clarify what the 3 switches do? 1 for each of the ceiling lights and 1 for the wall lights? Did you test the wires to determine that one red wire is live? In general, each switch is likely to have a live feed (that is always live when the power is on) and a switched live return...

ok, this is probably a silly question, so feel free to give a silly answer :D Firstly, I am aware of the regs regarding earth sleeving in sockets/switches etc. and always put it in place. However, I like to know the reasons behind rules, and I wonder if I am missing something obvious...

Hi, There are any number of places advertising courses out there now, and I did one myself back in February - but its not the whole story. The only way you can avoid having a spark in is to become registered as a 'competent person' for the purposes of Part P, with one of the 5 bodies...

Twitchy, The maximum you can have is generally determined by the fuse/mcb that you have protecting your circuit - most modern lighting circuits are on a 6A MCB - at 230V that gives you a maximum of 1380W. Assuming you don't have dozens of lights already attached, the extra 240W this fitting...

Hi all... I'm planning to invest a little money in some decent tools before I start doing the job for real (i.e. not in parent's houses! :) ). Does anyone have a view on voltage detectors? I have a standard cheapo 3 in 1 detector, and a Black and Decker one that came in a set, but I have...

You're quite right Spark123, It is in conduit, and where I've exposed the wiring from it the condition has been surprisingly good. Thats why I'm spending some time preparing before I start disturbing the wires too much - I plan to run the lighting from a fused connection on the socket...

Damage, As RCS says, there shouldn't be a problem with those loads on a spur (assuming that the socket is on a ring, and that everything is wired in 2.5mm - if you're not sure how to find out ask and someone will enlighten you I'm sure) There would also be no difficulties with running a...

Yes, they were wooden back boxes originally - My father updated them back in the 70s I think but couldn't face the wiring. Mind you, he rewired the socket ring final circuit by following a DIY manual in the 60s, which saves me some work now as mostly that side is ok (except for the one piece...

Here's a freebie for anyone looking for a good training pic of a disaster area :shock: This is the lightswitch in my father's bedroom, which I only bypassed last week with a temporary fix, prior to a full rewiring of the lights in a week or so. One question I have though - what is the...

TopTrumper, Fair enough, apologies for teaching you to suck eggs then :D I misunderstood the thrust of your question. :oops: I don't see a problem with witholding the certificate until you have been paid - since the landlord presumably is the person who employed you to do the work the...

Agreed you can't complete a full certificate until it is made live, but a partly completed certificate with ohm values, polarity checks, insulation resistance, etc. would look a lot better than providing nothing and expecting the DNO to reconnect so that things can be tested.... It wouldn't...

I'm afraid that comment says it all. If he was even vaguely competent at electrics he would be able to give you more than 'its broken mate'. The problem could be anything to be honest (the main one being your builder thinking he can play with electrics!). If your builder was approved to do...

I'm not sure its laid down - I guess its down to the DNO - why not ask them? It raises the point as to why if you have rewired the place, you haven't supplied a certificate? Part P is relavent too - if you aren't registered as a competent person then not notifying the Local Building...

I thought of that as soon as I'd submitted the post :oops: The more likely problem I would have thought would be the number of cables in one junction box being a very tight fit. Gavin

Personally I'd get an electrician to do it, and send the bill to the cowboys who left the house in that state :twisted: It must surely break some regulation or other, and leave them liable to prosecution if you had been electrocuted. I've heard of taking lightbulbs before, but not...

Rich, As I understand things is the Building Regs relating to Fire Protection (Approved document B I believe) which are relavent here. Crafty is right in that to prevent the sperad of fire, fire hoods are generally required between flats, because they count as seperate dwellings. However...

Nijinski001, I think bondy is right. Sounds like your leckie is confusing regs. Providing the cable is within the zones you mention (horizontal/vertical from fittings or within 150mm of the TOP edge or the angle formed by two walls then no protection is required. (Page 53 of the OSG)...