Trunking/conduit?

[ABCwarrior]

What it meant was that I'll need to pay a higher rate to get the job done right obviously
If I can't get it certified then there's no point employing anyone, even if the sparky has all the knowledge and testing gear....

This is pretty helpful:
http://www.esc.org.uk/public/guides-and-advice/building-regulations/

Now I'm gonna ask my neighbour who used this sparky to do his shower what certificates he was issued with on completion....should be interesting.

 

[ABCwarrior]

Funny though, England and Wales have Part P, we've got Building Regs/standards to satisfy, and Northern Ireland has .....nothing.
I like that good old UK consistency of law making....

 

[JohnW2]

Funny though, England and Wales have Part P, we've got Building Regs/standards to satisfy, and Northern Ireland has .....nothing. I like that good old UK consistency of law making....

True, but if you're suggesting that it's a bad thing that Scotland is allowed to have it's own laws, different from those of England & Wales, I suspect that you might be at risk of finding yourself at war with a good few of your fellow countrymen

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What it meant was that I'll need to pay a higher rate to get the job done right obviously
If I can't get it certified then there's no point employing anyone, even if the sparky has all the knowledge and testing gear....

But this is the reason you won't get it "signed off":

So to keep the costs as low as possible I'm sorting all this out before he starts(routing, trunking/conduit, hole drilling etc)

Not his hourly rate.

 

[sparkwright]

Trunking is always best for large cables or multiple cables.

It can look reasonably good if fitted well ie straight and nice cuts.

If you don't like the 90 degree elbow covers try mitring. Ideally you need a good mitre saw. Sometimes you can can just butt two straight lengths together if in a corner where the open ends can't be seen.

I once got an out of work joiner to fit some plastic mini trunking for me, thinking he if anyone would get it level, nice cuts and good mitres for a 90 degree set.

How very wrong I was.

 

[ABCwarrior]

Not sure where you're coming from BAS? I'm doing the prep work because I'm a builder and I know where the cable has to go, I have the time to ensure the route is safe and done to my standards.

If I have to pay an electrician to do the job then that's what he/she will be paid for- his/her expertise in electrics, not the most basic DIY that comes with it for which they will still charge at their(exorbitant) standard rate.
I'm well aware I can't put in the cables even, this is so advanced and skilled you wouldn't believe it....

 

[EFLImpudence]

People on hear have seen numerous similar questions and have, through experience, realised that they are being asked because the questioners have absolutely no intention of employing an electrician but continue to lie.

BAS is a particular stickler for obeying the law. Whilst some of us may not mind you doing the work yourself we do not appreciate being lied to, taken for idiots and accused of exorbitant charges while being asked for free advice.

If you are genuine in what you ask then this will not apply to you but equally valid is the question "Why do you not ask the electrician who will be doing the work about the conduit or trunking and, indeed, anything else you want to know?"

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[sparkwright]

I once got an out of work joiner to fit some plastic mini trunking for me, thinking he if anyone would get it level, nice cuts and good mitres for a 90 degree set.

How very wrong I was.

But it explains why he was out of work, did he evenually take up plumbing.

He was good at woodwork, that's the thing. I thought the same principals applied to trunking. And being plastic it's even easier to cut and deburr.

 

[Alarm]

I'm well aware I can't put in the cables even, this is so advanced and skilled you wouldn't believe it.... icon_rolleyes.gif

But you dont know do you, reasons that affect the loading of the cable. Where and how it is run. For instance.

I think this was briefly mentioned before.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Not sure where you're coming from BAS?

Where I'm coming from is this.

You were moaning that you didn't want to pay your £20ph electrician to do the work because his low charges meant he wouldn't give you a certificate, and therefore you'd be paying him for something no different to what you could do. (Ignoring, of course, that even without certification he might still do the necessary testing).

You might be right about not getting an EIC from him, but if so that would not be because of his hourly rate.

It's far more likely to be because of what you think you'll DIY before he turns up.

 

[ABCwarrior]

EFLI I'm not lying and/or treating anyone here like an idiot, I sincerely appreciate all the advice given from everyone, it actually helps me make sense of the other trades and what constraints there are within them.

Yes, I'd effing love to do this myself, it's in my nature to DIY whatever I can and it would be a wee challenge, but my head is over-ruling the heart on this...

I just wonder when Plumbing will come under the same types of restrictions- after all in a shower they are pretty close together eh? So there 's no regulations (yet) preventing me installing a pipe with 3 bar pressure inside right next to a source of electricity? Kinda bizarre...

Oh, and I haven't yet asked a sparky to come round because I only got my bargain shower last week! (the project had been shelved but as we have a lodger coming to stay for 5 months from mid-February we need this installed asap, our mains fed thermostatic shower won't cope with the demand for hot water as it's heated principally in the winter from the multi-fuel stove, and sometimes in the summer by the solar panel...this is a far more cost effective solution than running 6kw of immersion elements to get hot water, several hours later may I add!)

Oh, and I'm sorry if I come across as a bit of a know-it-all kn*bhead at times...I'm a Virgo.....!

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[ABCwarrior]

The neighbour got no certificates whatsoever after having his shower installed. Neither did the neighbour two along who used the same guy to put in a new CU to supply his workshop.
We had a sparky from a reputable company who does all our contract work come in to the unit the other day, to fit two new wall mounted convector heaters to the "drying" room that's been created to satisfy a H&S report.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!!! Well, I was left with him the boss had a meeting elsewhere so made him a cuppa and whilst he worked I started the interrogation...

Their company is SELECT registered etc, but it's ONLY the boss who can actually sign stuff off and issue certificates, neither him or his 4 colleagues can. He said that "minor works" such as a small CU etc would not be notified to the LABC, it was usually only necessary for extensions/full rewires etc.

So I explained my situation etc and a full description of what I wanted to do and he said I should just do it, even gave me some neat mini trunking to use!

So, aye....it's done. Working perfectly. I was meticulous in my work and I have to say I've done it to a very high standard- no visible bare wires anywhere, cables fully inserted, nice neat runs. The plumbing was spot on too. Even breaking out from "Uponor 20mm" back to standard 22/15's.

Sorry to those who think I'm taking the p*ss. If I hadn't had this chance encounter on Tuesday I would have got someone in. But to have a sparky of many years say go for it it kinda tipped it(bloke was a bit like "Saxondale"(Steve Coogan character)!).

I do understand I have no way of testing it bar basic continuity with a multimeter, but the house is 2 years old so the earthing should be fine and all connections are as good as they will ever be. I took a look in the main CU before powering it up and the standard of workmanship in there is slack to say the least.

Thanks for all advice though, sincerely much appreciated.

 

[Alarm]

so the earthing should be fine

standard of workmanship in there is slack to say the least.

Did you read that before posting