Is my installation to the regs?

[EFLImpudence]

No, the other way round - impossible not to comply with the regulations if it is safe.

Was something which complied with BS 7671:2008 safe when it was installed in, say 2011?

If it is safe, yes.

Did it suddenly become unsafe on 01/01/2012?

Not if it is safe.

If the same thing was installed today would it be unsafe?

Not if it is safe.


I think you are still looking at it the wrong way round.
Bearing in mind the OP is doing it now, he asked:

"If it does not meet regulations though (despite it being safe) could it not void buildings insurance?"

I tried to indicate that if it is safe, it cannot NOT meet the regulations.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But that is at odds with everything you agreed on.

Something safe may not comply with the regulations. He is doing it now, but if he did it in compliance with an earlier version of the regulations it could easily be safe. So it is perfectly possible to do something safe and not meet the regulations.

 

[EFLImpudence]

So it is perfectly possible to do something safe and not meet the regulations.

If that is the case then I was wrong.

Bearing in mind that the OP is talking about connecting a ceiling rose I still maintain it would be difficult to achieve.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

New wiring could be added using red/black cable. An easy way to achieve a safe, non-compliant result.

But I hadn't been thinking about that example - I thought you were being completely generic in your assertion that anything safe would perforce be compliant - if that was my mistake I apologise.

 

[JamesAsus]

To clarify, the ceiling rose has fitted inside the light fitting itself, its quite a deep fitting so there's a bit of room in there for it to rest (albeit a bit tight), the fitting is indeed flush to the ceiling.

I manipulated the live/neutral/earth wires multiple times as I took the rose off then back on then back off (first electrical project didn't realise it could be as simple as it ended up), is it possible that any of the wires are damaged? the house was built 4 years ago so the cables are relatively new.

 

[scousespark]

So in the main for the DIY it is forget the regs just ensure what you do is safe. So using over size cable is not a problem except the getting it into terminals so there seems to be nothing wrong with what you have done. You seem to have grasped the main points it does not get hot etc. But do get location correct as said it varies through the UK and look at is it safe rather than does it comply unless you are going to have it inspected and don't want a failure on some silly point.

Are you really saying that you think a diyer should just check their work LOOKS okay and they only need to do a proper job if they expect a future inspection?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I thought he was saying "look at the situation from the POV of 'is it safe?' rather than 'does it comply?'"

Which is actually what the law requires, if you think about it. The problem is of course that compliance with BS 7671 is by far and away the easiest way to ensure safety. As I observed you can do some things which are non-compliant but are not unsafe, but a lot of them lead to having to recognise that it isn't as safe, and therefore having to address the question "is it reasonably safe?"

 

[ericmark]

Yes I am not saying you should not test and inspect only that to buy or hire a full test kit is for most out of the question, and using some quick tester like the EZ150 from Martindale in the main is likely good enough to make it reasonably safe. I will point out I have never used an EZ150 as I do have a full test set.

My mother's house would have either been to 12 to 13th edition of wiring regulations. It would be nice to say it was safe how ever I know as a young boy I did get a shock. I was sitting at the kitchen counter and I stuck my finger into the light bulb holder to feel what was in it. Bulb had been removed by my dad as switch was stuck on. However although there are now versions which will switch off when bulb is removed most don't so even today a 6 year old could do the same thing.

There is a limit to heath and safety it has to be reasonable one does some times wonder how the rail services get away with things like live rails and unmanned level crossings? In comparison to that our homes are super safe.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

unmanned level crossings

Some without even gates.