Loft Light

[krspa9]

Im planning on putting a loft light in and was going to run it off the mains supply. My dad has told me that there will be a main feed going into one of the ceiling roses for the lights. I've borrowed his tester so I can check where the live feed is coming through but he couldnt remember which wires you need to put the contacts of the tester on.

If someone could give me some advice on how to check for a live feed or whether there are any better ways to install the light it would be much appreciated.

He said another option would be to run a cable from the boiler switch but if I was to turn sockets off via fuse board then I wouldn't have a light in the loft.

 

[GaryMo]

Seriously, the best advice I could give is to contact an electrician. He/she will install to current BS7671 standards and will issue a minor works certificate for the addition to your existing upstairs lighting circuit
You (or your dad) obviously don't know what you're doing and are taking a big risk by playing about.
It's really not worth the potential fire hazard that you may well introduce into your home.

 

[krspa9]

Im only taking a wire from the main feed, its not that difficult

 

[GaryMo]

Right
I assume you'll do the required testing for your install from the boiler supply?

Also, what happens when you carry out testing on the circuit you intend to supply the loft light from and it shows up a problem?
For instance, low insulation resistance, can't meet the required disconnection time etc?
Main equipotential bonding in place?

 

[JohnD]

You are half right, putting in a loft lamp is simple but (no offence intended) you haven't got a clue how to do it.

If you pop into your local library or bookshop you wil find this kind of job is covered, with explanatiions and diagrams, in the "Which" or Readers Digest books in the DIY section. Sorry but trying to bring you up to speed on here is not practical and we are worried that you might misundestand and create a dangerous installation.

If studying the books is too hard for you, call in an electrician.

 

[GaryMo]

It's amazing how books aimed at the general DIY'er show you how to complete simple jobs yet fail to tell you you'll need £800 worth of test equipment and knowledge of how to use it and interpret the results

Even before your install you have to be sure that the circuit you're adding to is sound and that extra loading on that circuit won't cause problems.

 

[ColJack]

with all due respect.. the average DIY'er doesn't need any test equipment other than a multimeter or volt stick..

it's us that has to do it to a set of rules.. they don't issue themselves with a test certificate.. we have to do that to show we've done the work right..

they can get away with "well it works so it must be ok.."

only if and when it causes problems such as tripping the breaker every few days, or doesn't work at all, they call in the pro's to sort out the mess..

insulation test results and so on don't really bother your average DIY'er..
as long as it passes the next PIR every 10 years or so they're happy to live in ignorance..


it's the same with us for non electrical things..

I have moved a radiator and done some plumbing in my new flat but didn't do any testing other that turn the water back on and look for leaks..
I'm sure that a pro plumber would preasure test the central heating and flow test the drains and so on..

 

[FatGit]

It's amazing how books aimed at the general DIY'er show you how to complete simple jobs yet fail to tell you you'll need £800 worth of test equipment and knowledge of how to use it and interpret the results

Even before your install you have to be sure that the circuit you're adding to is sound and that extra loading on that circuit won't cause problems.

Why would a DIY install need all that testing. As long as it works, it's probably ok. It's when the problems start and a spark is called in that kind of gear is needed.
Afterall, do you do everything to pro standard all the time? If someone has a headache, and they take a paracetamol should they do a full medical exam?

 

[GaryMo]

with all due respect.. the average DIY'er doesn't need any test equipment other than a multimeter or volt stick..

it's us that has to do it to a set of rules.. they don't issue themselves with a test certificate.. we have to do that to show we've done the work right..

they can get away with "well it works so it must be ok.."

I'd like to see that go down in a court of law after somebody gets seriously hurt or worse!
Working to BS7671 is not just for electricians, its the requirements for electrical installations and anybody carrying out such work.
Ignorance isn't an excuse.

 

[GaryMo]

If someone has a headache, and they take a paracetamol should they do a full medical exam?

Is that a requirement? Regulation number?

 

[GaryMo]

Why would a DIY install need all that testing. As long as it works, it's probably ok.

Really?

I'd like to see a law brought in where untrained people carrying out electrical work were prosecuted.
They're not just endangering themselves but life's of others.

 

[FatGit]

It would be if the person had called in a doctor. he would have to do the full examination. just like you have to work to a much higher standard than a DIY. That's why people want a pro.

 

[ricicle]

Im only taking a wire from the main feed, its not that difficult

Why are you asking then?

 

[GaryMo]

It would be if the person had called in a doctor. he would have to do the full examination. just like you have to work to a much higher standard than a DIY. That's why people want a pro.

For a headache? How many people call a doctor for a headache?

It's an analogy not too dissimilar to a lamp blowing, would you call an electrician to replace a lamp?

Would you perform surgery if you wasn't a doctor?

 

[jimbob100_99]

Why do we bother getting qualified when you have people who have not got a clue bodging things in there houses...... It`s about time only qualified people can buy electrical accessories so we can get away from these DIY Bodgers...... Hope your house insurance covers your DIY electrical Works Didn`t think so