There have been so many questions asked about extending wiring, adapting existing circuits for new purposes, looking for ways around regulations, re-using old equipment and generally resisting facing up to reality that I sometimes wonder how many DIY-ers understand that electricity can kill.
If your car tyres are bald do you try and paint on a bit of rubber to make do? If your brakes fail do you just carry on, hoping that you'll never have to do an emergency stop? If you break a leg would you just stick a plaster on it and say it'll do? When your daughter needs an operation do you get quotes from a surgeon, a dentist and a chippie and accept the cheapest?
No? So why, when knowledgeable people tell you you need to renew or upgrade cable, install new switchgear, upgrade earthing and bonding, etc, do so many people get so upset about it all and ignore or argue with that advice? The wiring regulations and codes of practice are there for a reason and real electricians are bound to follow them - so how come non-electricians think they can get away with sub-standard practices?
Discuss...
If your car tyres are bald do you try and paint on a bit of rubber to make do? If your brakes fail do you just carry on, hoping that you'll never have to do an emergency stop? If you break a leg would you just stick a plaster on it and say it'll do? When your daughter needs an operation do you get quotes from a surgeon, a dentist and a chippie and accept the cheapest?
No? So why, when knowledgeable people tell you you need to renew or upgrade cable, install new switchgear, upgrade earthing and bonding, etc, do so many people get so upset about it all and ignore or argue with that advice? The wiring regulations and codes of practice are there for a reason and real electricians are bound to follow them - so how come non-electricians think they can get away with sub-standard practices?
Discuss...