running power into the loft

savcab

Traveller1981 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Does anyone know what is involved with getting power into the loft. I have seem I have power cables for the upstairs lights, en-suite extractor fan etc in the loft, but i am unsure how I go about splitting this off so that I can wire in a plug socket in the loft and also a light.

Is it just a case of cutting the cable and feeding into a junction box? If so, can anyone point me in the right direction for the type of box needed or a guide on how to do this please?

Many thanks
Kyle

I would advise you get an electrician to look at this for you. Please do not just cut cables and put them into joint boxes. It wouldnt cost a lot to have a couple of lights done and a socket. Get a couple in to give you a quote. It isnt a difficult job if you know what your doing but incorrect or slack connections can cause fires also cable routes have to be watched especially if you are boarding the loft. You must be able to get to any joint boxes etc in case of a problem.

dander

As far as I can see, the part p certification must come complete with an official licence to scaremonger. There are loads of diyers out there who are perfectly capable of doing basic electrical jobs without setting fire to their houses or electrocuting themselves, and equally there are plenty who could easily learn how to do basic jobs with a decent manual by their side.

And as for people who say "if you had to google it, you shouldn't even attempt it" that's ridiculous! You may as well say "If you had to go on a training course, you shouldn't become an electrician." We all have to learn at some point.

I put a light in my loft, it was easy, didn't take long and I'm not an electrician. Frankly I don't give two hoots whether I have broken part p regulations in doing so.

Paul_Varjak

It is clear to me that the OP has no understanding whatsoever of what is required for electrcial installation work. If he went ahead and there were any problems I think he would find that his house insurance would be null and void. Also, when it comes to selling his house he would have to provide the necessary certification - if he does not, the new owners could sue for any losses.

Imagine, if by his incompetence that one of his family members was injured or even killed? Is it really worth the risk?

My guess is that for such a small job it is cheaper to get a qualified electrican to do the work rather than do the work yourself and then get your own work certificated!

latecomer

I think you'll find that most of the early posts said that the OP should be getting someone else in to do the job.

That was before it turned into a part P debate

adaze

So who was right? :cool:

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

Also, when it comes to selling his house he would have to provide the necessary certification - if he does not, the new owners could sue for any losses.

I'm not stirring more, or maybe I am But what is this certification that has to be provided, I'm not aware of anything other than the HIPs that you have to provide when selling a house, and I wasn't aware an electrical safety cert was part of this :huh: I thought it was up to the purchaser to arrange all the relevant surveys.... thats what I did....

I'd agree with the part about insurance though, that is if they could prove it was the "incompetent" home owner that did it

Traveller1981

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

It is clear to me that the OP has no understanding whatsoever of what is required for electrcial installation work. If he went ahead and there were any problems I think he would find that his house insurance would be null and void. Also, when it comes to selling his house he would have to provide the necessary certification - if he does not, the new owners could sue for any losses.

Imagine, if by his incompetence that one of his family members was injured or even killed? Is it really worth the risk?

My guess is that for such a small job it is cheaper to get a qualified electrican to do the work rather than do the work yourself and then get your own work certificated!

Yes currently I have little understanding about electrical installation, which is why I asked on here in the first place. I wasn't aware I was going to cause such a storming debate. However, I wasn't going to just chop some wires and feed them into a junction box, I was asking what was involved so I could make a decision on which route to adopt. It is clear that I will have to get an electrician involved and I will do.

I am more than capable of doing basic DIY work after reading up on such subjects for a full understanding, and wouldn't ever go start something without knowing fully what I was doing, hence the very first initial questions posted on here.

Thanks to everyone that posted. I will get an electrician to do the work, but am going to read up how to do it as well, just for my own satisfaction. I don't like having to get someone to do something for me if I can do it myself. And I accept electrics isn't something to be attempted half heartedly.

latecomer

Glad to hear it.

I wouldn't worry about the Part P debate, its a national passtime on some boards

Traveller1981

So it would appear!