Recommend me a reading list?

[cjard]

My sparky of choice says he's happy with me doing the first fix of wiring on my new build so long as I leave it all open for him to verify, he makes the cable choices, connections, tests etc. this works for me because I get to avoid damage to particular aspects of the structure for other reasons and in any case, I've the offer of assistance doing the first fix from a qualified JIB installation electrician friend..

.. I am however the sort of person who is meticulous about following spec and rather than badger my second fix spark with a litany of questions about the install I'd like something to read so I can present hi with a list of points and a plan for where and why I'll run the cables.I'd like the plan to be as correct as possible before it goes to him to check, not only because appearing incompetent is particularly unappealing to me, but because I feel he's being professionally very generous in not insisting on doing it all and so I don't want to make his life hard work

I thought about picking a copy of bs7671 up, but my friend (jib guy) says that in most practical applications the on site guide would suffice. Can anyone recommend me either way, or possibly some other relevant publications? Thanks

 

[Taylortwocities]

The On Site Guide will be fine as it details installation methods, routes, etc.

You will need your spark to specify exactly what size cables you need to install.

 

[sparkwright]

I fear the BS7671 may be a bit unsuitable for the type of questions you will be asking.

The On Site Guide will be useful, and it may be useful to buy a simple DIY guide on electrics (the sort of books Collins do).

While DIY guides can be lacking in the technical and even professional details, it will give you easy to follow guidance without too much heavy reading.

Things you must consider are bonding to gas, water etc, heights of sockets and switches, attention to detail such as all accessories being level or in straight lines, how to wire a kitchen so all appliances can easily be isolated, and finally safe cable zones in walls.

Please send photos as you progress in your work.

We can give you near instant advice so you do a professional job.

If anyone should tell you it's a load of rubbish, please don't be offended.

It's only because we want you to have a top job.

 

[cjard]

While DIY guides can be lacking in the technical and even professional details, it will give you easy to follow guidance without too much heavy reading.

Heavy reading shouldn't be a problem, I don't sleep well at the moment so any assistance is welcome, and I've been through university in an interminably dull engineering discipline so huge wads of dry textbook matter aren't so scary

I'll pick up a copy of the OSG and have a look

Things you must consider are bonding to gas, water etc, heights of sockets and switches, attention to detail such as all accessories being level or in straight lines, how to wire a kitchen so all appliances can easily be isolated, and finally safe cable zones in walls.

Sounds like the building regs reading might be coming into play too.. Bit of part M in there I dare say. People look at me odd when I say I'd like my sockets at 1.2m just like my switches.. I'm 6'4 and don't see the point in bending when I can just install stuff at a nice height, flush finish and coloured to blend in with the decor. The boss wants everything low (she's short) so appliance flexes are hidden. She'll probably win, on the proviso that she plugs everything in..
I bought a dewalt self levelling laser line for doing the block work to stand the timber frame on. Very handy bit of kit, and I reckon it'll get a lot more use yet for laying out my service void battens and socket boxes

Please send photos as you progress in your work.
We can give you near instant advice so you do a professional job.
If anyone should tell you it's a load of rubbish, please don't be offended.

Photos will be taken, offence won't

 

[sparkwright]

Ah, a keen one!

That's the sort of talk we like around here.

I see in your pictures you are having those funny modern joists.

Don't forget attention should be given where drilling holes. As a tip, electricians usually make 20 or 25 mm holes - but consideration should be made where the holes are made.

Another tip is if you should clip cables to the thin, chipboardy bit (can't think what it's called), only clip on one side as the nails may penetrate to the other side.

You can't buy this kind of info.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Not everything in the OSG is gospel.

Remember; it is a guide for installing to the worst case scenario without having to resort to knowledge.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Sounds like the building regs reading might be coming into play too.. Bit of part M in there I dare say. People look at me odd when I say I'd like my sockets at 1.2m just like my switches..

If it is a new build then you do not get a choice of socket, switch heights etc as accessibility is not optional.

From an electrical viewpoint, you should get the Electricians Guide To The Building Regulations

Building Regulations (not only Part P and M) B C E and L will certainly need to be met, and others too.

Make your electrician tell you EXACTLY what HE wants you to do, otherwise Building Control will be insisting you re-do the work, and that wont save you any money!

 

[cjard]

funny modern joists.

Don't forget attention should be given where drilling holes. As a tip, electricians usually make 20 or 25 mm holes - but consideration should be made where the holes are made.

Another tip is if you should clip cables to the thin, chipboardy bit (can't think what it's called), only clip on one side as the nails may penetrate to the other side.

Fabulous aren't they, the lack of waste, the fact that they're made with leftover shavings and a few bits of 2x4, stiffer and lighter than a trad joist and you can even make them on site with a bit of glue, batten and osb so long as every joint is staggered..

Yep, I've got a full set of rules from the manufacturer as to where the web can be drilled. Generally in these a hole of up to 35 mm can be drilled anywhere on the centre line so 20mm should be ok. I do also have ventilation ducts to install so some forethought of which services where will be needed. For runs where cables are parallel to joists I've got hundreds of metres of cable tray left over from when I ripped out the old works so I may repurpose that onto the sides of the web if it not too much hassle to bond to earth

 

[cjard]

Sounds like the building regs reading might be coming into play too.. Bit of part M in there I dare say. People look at me odd when I say I'd like my sockets at 1.2m just like my switches..

If it is a new build then you do not get a choice of socket, switch heights etc as accessibility is not optional.

Sure you do; anywhere between 450 and 1200 off FFL is the allowable range - see diagram 29 on page 69 of part m. Don't forget that the building regs are essentially published examples of how the Secretary of State believes you can comply with the law and the law has a lot less to say about accessibility than part M does. (In summary, one must comply with the law, and if complying with the regs it's guaranteed that the law is complied with, but if not complying with the regs, one has to demonstrate to the BCO satisfaction how the law is complied with. Most people comply with regs because it's less hassle than any other route. This isn't to say that I'm looking not to comply with regs, only that both I and my BCO know exactly what the regs are for)

Boring legal stuff aside, you raise a great point and I'll certainly pick up a copy of the book you linked, thanks!

 

[cjard]

Not everything in the OSG is gospel.

Remember; it is a guide for installing to the worst case scenario without having to resort to knowledge.

Noted, thanks!

 

[333rocky333]

Im quite intriqued by your pics, looks like quite a project.
What are these beams you talk off.

To be honest I was a bit confused by the pics that big pile of stone in one of them is this building partly underground.

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Before my 17th exam I read through the regs book, it is surprising what you can pick up from that and will also assist you to cross ref the answers you get here, if you have some basic knowledge, of course you can skip some of the irrelevant stuff

 

[cjard]

Oh it's a project alright. The family is converting a waterworks into a pair of semis, one for me and mine, one for my father in law. Those beams are part of a crazy setup that allows father in law have a wall of glass bricks stepping into his bathroom, and that pic actually features 4 RSJs.. 2 are in the outer wall (450 thick) and 2 in the inner floor deck. Structural engineer must be magnetic.
The pile of stone is a wall that hasn't come down yet, 4m x 2.5m side gable opening that will be fitted out with folding doors. At the moment, it makes sense to keep the walls up, makes life more peaceful for the neighbours.