New consumer unit?? Please please HELP!!

zax47

sallyrsm wrote: »

Ah right. What happens to the green one, then?? Does it want an end piece and some tape like those two red ones on the ultimate handyman site??
I don't like the idea of just leaving it hanging/poking up in the ceiling on its own...

:rolleyes:

Its the earth, so connects to the earth point on your new fitting - just like in the pictures. There are several ways to wire lighting circuits, but there are basically two main types - do all the main connections at the light or at the switch.

Look at the very last diagram here;

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/electrics/light_fitting/ceiling_rose_wiring.htm

Your lights are almost wired like that, with all the main connections at the switch and just a couple of wires at the light. Sounds like they have "cheated" with yours by looping the neutrals at the light and looping lives at the switch but hey-ho, I've seen worse.

TURN OFF THE POWER!!!

Suggest you connect the two blacks to the neutral connection of your fitting (marked N) , the red to the live connection (marked L) and the earth (green sleeved wire) to the earth point on the fitting.

If you do get an electrician in then be sure to make it clear that if he INSISTS you must have RCD protection on the lighting circuit that you KNOW he can just replace the MCB (circuit breaker) with an RCBO and you KNOW how much they cost!!. There is absolutely NO NEED to change your CU.

zax47

FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY PLI INSURERS;

Any advice I have given on this thread is just that - advice - and not given in any professional capacity. Whether anyone reading this thread takes this advice, is their problem and they do so at their own risk!

sallyrsm

Thanks ever so much. My new light fitting hasn't got an earth so I presume I just put a terminal block on the earth wire?

That handyman site is brilliant... very grateful.

:T

baldelectrician

zax47 wrote: »

FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY PLI INSURERS;

Any advice I have given on this thread is just that - advice - and not given in any professional capacity. Whether anyone reading this thread takes this advice, is their problem and they do so at their own risk!

Like it

I have been specifically told not to give non general advice by my previous insurance company for reasons such as this.

As far as the OP goes, a like for like replacement (light down light up) doesn't need Part P (but it still needs a minor works cert / test)

The new regs aren't retrospective and don't apply to circuits that are not altered. I think your spark was trying it on.
Get another qualified perosn in if you are unsure (especially as there is NO rcd protection)

You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals registered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/Sear...struction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk