24-04-2016, 05:24 PM
41
Re: Electrical socket plates
Originally Posted by Jazzi
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Does this job really need an electrician, or is it within the capability of a sensible DIYer?I asked this question in Chit Chat, but thought it better to enquire here also.
In the bedroom I have two double socket plates, a blanking plate, and one for the tv aerial. All looking grubby and grey, and I thought how nice it would be to fit sparkling white new ones.
I can rewire a plug, and have done so several times in the past.
Thanks.
But you cant do it for the man next door.
I installed C/H for years took loads of courses and payed out lots of money so I did not kill people and be sent to prison.
You will not be sent to prison over this even if you kill your self doing it
PS turn the power off before you start
24-04-2016, 07:25 PM
42
Re: Electrical socket plates
Originally Posted by galty
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Law states if its your house you are allowed to do what ever you wont and kill your wife and children no come back.But you cant do it for the man next door.
I installed C/H for years took loads of courses and payed out lots of money so I did not kill people and be sent to prison.
You will not be sent to prison over this even if you kill your self doing it
PS turn the power off before you start
*tuts*
24-04-2016, 11:06 PM
43
Re: Electrical socket plates
Legally (in the UK) I believe you can make basic electrical changes like replacing sockets, light fittings etc without having to be a "Part P" qualified electrician so no problem there.Changing light switches and sockets is a piece of cake, just make note of where all the wires were connected before you disconnect them and wire the new unit the same.
A top tip I will give you is to NEVER do any electrical work unless you have a neon screwdriver. This is a cheap screwdriver that has a small LED in the end which you can touch an electrical contact with safely. If the contact is live, electrified, then the LED will light up. It's a foolproof way to test any cable before you touch it. Looks like this:
You could pick one up from the pound shops.
25-04-2016, 12:29 AM
45
Re: Electrical socket plates
Originally Posted by Realist
->
Legally (in the UK) I believe you can make basic electrical changes like replacing sockets, light fittings etc without having to be a "Part P" qualified electrician so no problem there.Changing light switches and sockets is a piece of cake, just make note of where all the wires were connected before you disconnect them and wire the new unit the same.
A top tip I will give you is to NEVER do any electrical work unless you have a neon screwdriver. This is a cheap screwdriver that has a small LED in the end which you can touch an electrical contact with safely. If the contact is live, electrified, then the LED will light up. It's a foolproof way to test any cable before you touch it. Looks like this:
You could pick one up from the pound shops.
Pop over to a certain DIY electrical forum (I can't post the forum address, of course) and you'll find that those 'mains testers' are not held in high regard. For one thing, if the internal resistor should fail, you can be directly connected to mains voltage electricity.
Having said that, I have one!
I think a better option would be one of these:
http://www.tester.co.uk/flk2ac-volt-...2SDxoCBazw_wcB
Safer, because you are not in contact with the electricity. However, you have to be aware of false negatives and false positives. An example of the latter is the fact that rubbing against an object can cause it to light up.
Yes, I have one of those as well!
25-04-2016, 05:04 AM
46
Re: Electrical socket plates
Originally Posted by Realist
->
Legally (in the UK) I believe you can make basic electrical changes like replacing sockets, light fittings etc without having to be a "Part P" qualified electrician so no problem there.Changing light switches and sockets is a piece of cake, just make note of where all the wires were connected before you disconnect them and wire the new unit the same.
A top tip I will give you is to NEVER do any electrical work unless you have a neon screwdriver. This is a cheap screwdriver that has a small LED in the end which you can touch an electrical contact with safely. If the contact is live, electrified, then the LED will light up. It's a foolproof way to test any cable before you touch it. Looks like this:
You could pick one up from the pound shops.
You do need Part P for any work done in a kitchen or bathroom.
25-04-2016, 09:50 AM
48
Re: Electrical socket plates
Oh what a fuss to change a couple of s/sockets. Most like I would change them without even turning the supply off.That I guess is knowing what you are doing and not knowing what you are doing.
I remember a old boy who trimmed incoming mains cables with bare hands and a penknife and tested the polarity of lighting by putting his finger into the lamp holder's . And he lived to 93 years of age which was surprising as his driving was deplorable.
25-04-2016, 10:16 AM
50
Re: Electrical socket plates
Originally Posted by Purwell
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Why did he want to know the polarity of a lamp holder? Was he AC/DC?
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