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Welcome to MyLocalElectrician.co.uk and your resident electrician. If you would like to ask me your electrical questions about the electrics in your home, are worried about your electrics or anything else you would like to ask an electrician please feel free to ask me.
Back up Generators
We seem to be experiencing a lot of powercuts lately, mainly due to thefts from substations. After returning home with the monthly shop of frozen food and yet another powercut enough was enough. We purchased a generator, http://tinyurl.com/337upwz (Medusa Site Generator T2401).
So its set up to run the fridge freezer in an emergency, however I wanted to ask a couple of questions that you guys might be able to assist with.
Training to be an electrician
Hi There,
I was wondering whether you could give me some advice on becoming an electrician. I'm currently 27 years of age and so feel I’m too old for an apprenticeship and have been looking into other avenues for getting trained up, this is where I would like some advice before I commit to a training provider I wanted to find out what industry professionals think of such courses and whether an employer would consider someone who has trained through a private company rather than an apprenticeship. The two companies I’ve looked at are OLCI construction training and Train for trade skills:
Electrical inspection
Hi, I was wondering if an electrician could help with out? We've sold our house
and we're out viewing other houses at the moment. We found one we
really like today, but I'm not sure about the electrics. Is there such a thing as an electric inspection before you buy a house, and if so how would I go about this?
I'd rather an electrician looked at it than just a surveyor who would probably just
recommend we got an electrician in?
Short Circuit
Would someone kindly provide an idiot proof guide of:
1. What is a short circuit?
2. HOw does it occur?
3. How can it be prevented?
4. The reason I ask is I have been sent an email with the following snippet and was trying to understand what it meant. The email states:
'an accidental short of the wiring to a single pole RTE would actually short out the switch contacts and keep the release mechanism energised even when the RTE was operated!!'
Depth of cables
Please could anybody help me and let me know if there is a legal minimum depth that electrcity cables must be buried at
Yes there is a depth cables should be buried at, you will find it in the on-site guide.
Depends on the area you wish to bury the cable. Or alternatively have a look at a 17 edition training course.
There is not 'minimum' depth at which are to buried in a wall or partition, but if they are less than 50mm from the finished surface, then the circuit must be protected by a 30Ma RCD/RCBO.
If you mean outside then I'm not 100% certain.
Is there a legal limit electrical cbales must be buried at outside?
Electrical work
I have liitle knowledge of elecrics and am seeking advice on a small problem I have. My electric power shower has recently died and I called in an electrician to look at the problem. He has informed me that in order to rectify the problem I need to change my consumer unit, upgrade the main earth and the earth to the water supply.
I Michael,
As you called in an electrician for this problem I am guessing that what he or she has informed you is probably more of a recommendation than anything else. This is a really hard question to answer without seeing your properties electrical system as there may be many other issues that your electrician has picked up on and feels that it would not be advisable to replace your shower without these works being undertaken. You must remember that if the electrician undertakes that type of work he or she as informed you about in your home then, like anything, It is something you should think about. Remember you and your family live in your home and it is always better to lean on the side of caution.
With regards to your broken shower, there is no legal reason why you can not replace your shower " like for like " without using a part p electrician or needing a certificate but you must make sure that the person doing this is competent in doing so.
Saying this, if an electrician has viewed your property and has advised you about these issues then it would be prudent for you to maybe get another electrician in for a second opinion. My advice would be to contact a Part P certified electrician from one of the electrical governing bodies below, Or use My Local Electrician's Part P certified electricians list to see if there is one in your area.
http://www.niceic.com/en/findacontractor/index.asp
http://www.elecsa.co.uk/searchbypostcode.aspx
http://www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp
I would like to add that if you have been given a price of around £600 for these works then I personally do not think you will get a much better price as this sounds resonable to me. Just remember that if you have these works done make sure that the Electrician is Part P certified with an electrical governing body and that you are issued with a certificate after the works have been completed.
If, as you say, that you would struggle to find the money for this, and I do understand as its not a great time in our economy, then I would perhaps try to live without the shower for now until you can get the monies together.
I am sorry if I have been the bearer of bad news, but I hope that I have been of help and please do let me know how you get on.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk
Not so much the bearer of bad news, but more the bearer of news that I perhaps expected. I shall seek another quote as advised and will see where we go from there. I just thought that as a consumer box retails for around £100 that the price for installation etc seemed a tad hefty. If you're telling me that this is around the right mark, then maybe I was doing the man an injustice.
One last thing, the electrician stated that he would need to earth the new consumer box to the water mains and that he would need to do this by laying cable - some 10 meters worth. Is there no alternative to this - maybe an earthing rod?
Hi, I really hate being that bearer yet again! But your electrician is also correct, when a new consumer unit is installed you must have an earth cable connected to your water main and your gas main and they both must go back to the consumer unit. An earth rod would not solve the problem as this would introduce another earth to your property and open up another can of worms!
Great your are seeking and taking on board advise! Remember the internet is a great resource tool, but when it comes to uk electrical regulations there is no substitute for someone who has spent years qualifing and experience under their belt!
Again I hope I have been of help and I am sure you will do the right thing. Please let me know how you move on from here and I would love to hear your comments after you have had the works carried out.
Take care,
Gazza.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk
Thanks for your advice Gazza - it is nice to hear that the advice I was given was correct - even if it is painful in the pocket! I'll keep you updated on progress
Regards
Mick
Shower Cable size
Thank you for the advice from from both Bluechip and Gazza. I am now contacting a local electrian. Bill Peters.
Hi Bill,
Thats great! Its nice to be able to help and guide you in the right direction. Let's hope when others read your post it will encourage others to do the same.
Take care,
Gazza.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk
Cable size for 10.8kW shower.
1. Please let me know what cable size is required for a 10.8kW Mira Jump electric shower.
2. Please let me know correct fuse rating.
Thank you.
as a foot not this could invalidate your house insurance if an incident i.e fire caused by this installation. Uncertified.
gazers reply is spot on this installation must be part P certified by a certified electrician it is illegal to carry out this installation under current building & electrical regulations 2005.
Hi, Unfortunatly, due to Electrical regulations & Building regulations (Part P), there is no quick simple answer to this question without an electrician visiting your property.
As an electrician there is a cable size and correctly rated over current protective device (fuse) that comes to mind straight away but I would not be a responsable person (Competent Person) if I were to tell you, Therefore I would honestly recommend you contact a local electrician in your area. I would suggest you visit one of the links below to some government regulation bodies where you can find an electrician suitable to carry out the works.
http://www.niceic.com/en/findacontractor/index.asp
http://www.elecsa.co.uk/searchbypostcode.aspx
http://www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp
I will now try to explain why I have said what I have...
If you visit my Part P section http://www.mylocalelectrician.co.uk/part-p-certified-electricians this gives you a quick overview about current regulations.
Also there are many other regulations that us electricians have to follow, these become more so when we are talking, Bathrooms, wetrooms, Kitchens and outdoors. These areas are known as "Special Locations" and any works carried out in these areas must conform to many stringent regulations.
There are many things that have to be taken into account when installing a new electrical circuit in your home.
Firstly, it is against the law to carry out such a task without, firstly having the correct knowledge to undertake such a task and also the works have to be notified to your local building control office.
Secondly, There are things to take into account, Like the length of the cable run, adequate earthing in the property and there MUST be an RCD!
I hope that what I have explained is clear and PLEASE do contact an electrician who will be able to carry out these works, to ensure you and others in the property are safe and protected from any problems that could arrise from a wrongly installed electrical installation.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk
Some zealous DIY
I was hoping to get some help from an electrician. I am living in the UK and have just bought a house. A friend of mine knew the previous owners and confirmed that they did a lot of DIY including a significant amounf of modifications to the ring mains and the lighting circuits.
Dear Mr C,
You are correct when you say that most work has to be carried out by a "competent person". You can get someone to have a look at your electrics in your home by the means of a P.I.R ( Periodic Inspection Report ). This basicly means that the Electrician you choose will inspect and test the electrical circuits and outlets in your property and will be able to detemine the integrity of the circuits in your home.
This does come at a cost, usually between £180 - £300 depending on your property and how many circuits etc. After then the electrician will provide you with the P.I.R report and or certificate.
But please do remember that only the Electrician or company that carried out the works can supply you with a completion certificate for any works that have been carried out after part p was introduced. If any electrical works were carried out after part p was introduced, excluding " Like for like " Changes, then a certificate should have been issued.
It does really depend on what you require the certificate for, But generally a P.I.R should be ok and will also give you some piece of mind.
To find a " Competent Person " / Part P certified electrician in your area please follow the links below to a number of electrical governing body websites.
http://www.niceic.com/en/findacontractor/index.asp
http://www.elecsa.co.uk/searchbypostcode.aspx
http://www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp
I hope this is of help to you and please let me know how you get on!
Gazza.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk
Why does our system keep tripping out?
Hi, I know nothing about electrics, so I hope I can explain this clearly enough.
Dear Gary,
Many thanks for such a prompt and comprehensive reply. We are indeed gradually changing to low-energy bulbs, but it's a slow process, and I didn't realise that low-energy halogen bulbs were available. Following your advice, we'll speed up the process and change them all. As you say, it's cheaper as well as being better for the environment! If that doesn't stop the problem, We'll follow those links and arrange for a Periodic inspection report.
Thanks again, your help is much appreciated.
DW
Dear DW,
I am so sorry to hear about the problems you are having with the electrics in your home. Without inspection and testing of your properties electrics it would be very hard to establish the cause of the problems but there are a number of possible things that spring to mind for me. There are a number of options open to you and there is something that you could try with regards to your lights tripping out. I don’t know if you use energy saving bulbs around your home but if you were, over time of course due to the cost of these bulbs, to replace your existing ones with these energy saving types you may find that the tripping of the lights may stop. I have come across on my travels of inferior bulbs causing this type of problem. The reason being is when a standard light bulb blows it can sometimes trip the circuit breaker of the lighting circuit that the bulb is connected to. Maybe having your kitchen under cabinet fittings replaced was a good thing as I am sure these were probably replaced with a fluorescent or energy saving light of some sort. Also your halogen bulbs in your kitchen and attic room can be changed for energy saving versions although they are a little more expensive than a bayonet or Edison screw type. By doing this, over time, not only will the bulbs last much longer and less likely to trip out your circuit breaker but you will also save energy and keep your electric bill down!
With regards to your sockets, you maybe or may not be aware but three years ago the regulations were different to what they are now. The main difference for you would be the consumer unit / fuse box. Your consumer unit should be what they call “ split load “. This basically means that when you had your rewire done your sockets would be on the RCD protected side of the board, and your lighting would be on the Main switch side of the board. Again without seeing your consumer unit it is impossible to tell if it is the RCD that is tripping or the circuit breaker. What I would suggest here is if it is the RCD ( the wider trip with a test button on it ) that is tripping all you need to do is unplug every appliance in your home then switch the RCD back on. If it holds on then move around your home plugging things in one at a time. If when you plug something in and it trips it could be that appliance that is at fault.
To ease your mind about the worries you have about your electrics there is something that you can do. I really would not worry too much about having to have your home rewired again as this is very unlikely.
What I would suggest you do, but there unfortunately will be a small cost involved but obviously nothing near to the cost of a rewire!, but like anything it depends how long it takes the electrician to test your property, is contact a local electrician through one of the governing bodies below:-
http://www.niceic.com/en/findacontractor/index.asp
http://www.elecsa.co.uk/searchbypostcode.aspx
http://www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp
and then ask an electrician if they could do a “ Periodic inspection report “ for your property. The reasonable price for this should be between £180 - £300 depending on the size of your property. When they come and do the test the readings that they get along with other visual inspections will determine the integrity of the wiring in your home. After the test is complete you will receive some paper work and or certificate and any recommendations , if any.
When this is done you will have the knowledge and peace of mind that your property is electrically safe and if you have any further problems you also have that governing body to help and advise you further if necessary.
I hope I have been of help to you and it would be great to hear how you get on.
Kind regards,
Gary.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk
Hi Kay,
Congratulations on selling your house! You are correct when you say what the surveyor would recommend. There are two types of electrical inspections you can have carried out in this instance.
1) A visual inspection carried out by a suitably competent person
2) A Periodic inspection report ( PIR )
No. 1 may be enough to fulfil any mortgage requirements but personally they are not worth anything for your own piece of mind. A visual inspection is making sure there are no exposed cables or sockets / switches hanging off the walls etc..
No. 2 would be carried out by a qualified electrician, carrying out No.1 and also taking readings and carrying out tests on the electrical infrastructure & installation right back to the electrical distributors main supply. If all is well you would also get a legal document / certificate stating " Satisfactory ". If the installation is not satisfactory then you would also receive a certificate outlining the problems found and marked "Unsatisfactory". This you could then of course use to reduce the price of the property you are buying accordingly.
The industry standard prices, dependent on how many circuits are in the property, for the above are as follow:
1) £80 - £140
2) £180 - £240
Please visit the MyLocalElectrician directory of electricians to find a local electrician in your area.
I hope I have been of help.
Gazza.
Electrician & Owner / Editor of the MyLocalElectrician online electricians magazine. Owner and editor for the www.My-Local-Trades.co.uk Group of online magazines, Also sub-editor for the Home & Decorating magazine www.homeanddecorating.co.uk