New Electrical Socket Installation

Roundabouts

googler wrote: »

Might it not be easier to find alternate brushed steel sockets which require a 25mm box, not a 35mm?

Thanks for that. I've already bought the 5 flush sockets to do the one room. I'm not sure that if I buy alternative flush sockets that I won't face the same problem as all the mechanism is 'behind the wall' and so they do seem to require deeper mounting boxes than usual. But I'll have a look just in case.

IveSeenTheLight

Roundabouts wrote: »

Hi, I'm trying to replace some bog standard plastic electrical sockets in one of my bedrooms with brushed-steel flush ones.

Thanks for any advice.

Please be aware that all new electrical work within a domestic setting must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales introduced on 1 January 2005, which are legally enforceable.

One way of achieving this is to apply British Standard BS7671 (the "Wiring Regulations"), including carrying out adequate inspection and testing to this standard of the completed works. British Standard BS 7671 (the "Wiring Regulations") is not statutory, thus someone doing electrical work is allowed to deviate from the wiring regulations to some degree, but it is generally accepted that it is best to follow the wiring regulations to the highest standard possible.

Electrical work may not have to be compliant with BS7671, but it if a casualty or fatality occurs due to that electrical work, then one must explain why one has deviated from BS7671

Some of the restrictions introduced with Part P were controversial, especially the rules surrounding work carried out by unregistered people such as DIYers.

I bought some BTL's and had all the wiring checked by a professional tradesman. It was amazing what the report came back with regarding the wiring of sockets and lighting.

Remember also that your casings are conductors and as such any defect in the wiring or installation could result in an increased risk of the faceplate being electrically live.

DavidFx

Please be aware that all new electrical work within a domestic setting must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales introduced on 1 January 2005, which are legally enforceable.

Building Regulations Part P Section 2.1 Notification
Notification would not be required for:
Replacement, repair or maintenance, even if in a special location or associated with a special location

Roundabouts

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

Please be aware that all new electrical work within a domestic setting must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales introduced on 1 January 2005, which are legally enforceable.

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Thanks. I had heard of the new regulations and have a very rough idea of what it involves. Hopefully it doesn't affect what I'm doing as I'm not altering the wiring as such, just replacing like with like.

fluffpot

yes what you're doing doesn't come under Part P - but you still need to do it to a proper standard of course

BertieUK

Roundabouts wrote: »

Thanks. I had heard of the new regulations and have a very rough idea of what it involves. Hopefully it doesn't affect what I'm doing as I'm not altering the wiring as such, just replacing like with like.

Just one last point and I am certain that you are already doing it. Turn off the power on the circuit when working so close to electrics - just a polite reminder;)

Roundabouts

fluffpot wrote: »

yes what you're doing doesn't come under Part P - but you still need to do it to a proper standard of course

Likewise I replaced most of the plastic light switches in my house a few weeks ago with brushed steel ones. So I had to fit an additional earth wire in each one to connect the metal faceplate with the mounting box. Would this come under Part P do you think?

muckybutt

^^^ NO ^^^ You seem to know what you are doing and you have done the correct thing fitting the earth to the back box.

VSynth

Roundabouts wrote: »

Likewise I replaced most of the plastic light switches in my house a few weeks ago with brushed steel ones. So I had to fit an additional earth wire in each one to connect the metal faceplate with the mounting box. Would this come under Part P do you think?

Assuming that the backbox already had an earth wire connected, how do you know that this existing earth wire actually goes to earth?

Fitting a wire between the faceplate and back box is not a requirement of the regulations but is considered good practise.

Without testing the earth connection though, you may have created a dangerous installation.

Also since you have not replaced like with like (you have swapped a plastic fascia with a metal one) this work comes under part p and requires certification.

Justicia

Roundabouts wrote: »

Thanks. I had heard of the new regulations and have a very rough idea of what it involves. Hopefully it doesn't affect what I'm doing as I'm not altering the wiring as such, just replacing like with like.

Not convinced it works like that TBH - I could replace a 7.5kW shower with a >10kW and then argue that as it's still a shower, it's like for like and nothing else needs doing...

Changing from plastic to metal, I would expect testing on the Earth Fault Loop Impedance (Zs) to be completed, to ensure that the cpc, as it now has an increased purpose, is actually fully connected, functional for use and attached (as well as other tests as appropriate).