Electrics — Fitting New Sockets?

paperclap

I checked the wiring of the living room socket again this morning (the one that backs onto the guest bedroom), and it does in fact have just one wire to it. So, it is a spurred socket from the one in the guest bedroom.

paperclap

But frankly yes, it seems this job isn't so straight-forward as it appeared on the surface!

For the few hundred pounds (£250 I think it was), I think I'll just chase him again, get him back, have it all done properly and get the certificate (included in the price).

Section62

laurencewhymark said:

I checked the wiring of the living room socket again this morning (the one that backs onto the guest bedroom), and it does in fact have just one wire to it. So, it is a spurred socket from the one in the guest bedroom.

You can only know ('it is' = definite) that by doing certain tests or visually tracing the cable along it's whole length.  Equally possible is the socket could be wired as a radial, or could be spurred from a different location.

You can't tell for sure just by looking in the back box.  This is why people are urging you to be careful.  It is very easy to make a lethally wrong assumption when you are working on electrical systems.

FaceHead

To do it yourself, you need a multimeter (not expensive). You'd need to power off and disconnect everything, and then work out what wires are go where (probably draw it out and label them) and then figure out how the wires you've got can be used to make a sensible circuit - hopefully there'll be a straightforward answer.

There can be no guessing of what's going on with rings, spurs etc - you've got to know - either by having been the one doing the first fix, or by proving it with testing. 

The effort of working it out what's going on now is the hard part, so agree that the right answer is to just get the guy who fitted it back. Maybe next time you'll choose to do it yourself from the start.   

paperclap

Thanks one and all! Really appreciate the input and wise words.

Yes, think the best thing to do is to simply get the guy back and have the pro do it!

I'm no stranger to hard work... but it does seem a case of a losing economy here!

Thanks again 

FreeBear

laurencewhymark said: Yes, think the best thing to do is to simply get the guy back and have the pro do it!

Yes, get the guy back to finish off what he started - There are a number of small details that need to be attended to (earth between back box & socket, labels on consumer unit), and you want the part P certificate.

paperclap

FreeBear said:

laurencewhymark said: Yes, think the best thing to do is to simply get the guy back and have the pro do it!

Yes, get the guy back to finish off what he started - There are a number of small details that need to be attended to (earth between back box & socket, labels on consumer unit), and you want the part P certificate.

It's a done deal. I'll get 'im back 

GDB2222

I’m just hoping that the electrician can remember what he’s done!

Heedtheadvice

I'm glad you decided go get a professional back.

@FaceHead wrote "To do it yourself, you need a multimeter (not expensive). You'd need to power off and disconnect everything, and then work out what wires are go where (probably draw it out and label them) and then figure out how the wires you've got can be used to make a sensible circuit - hopefully there'll be a straightforward answer." Then suggested doing the work from the start.

One key aspect accross the whole of the UK is that the work has to be done by a competent person and in accordance with national standards (aka the wiring regs). In England and Wales that has also to comply with part P of the building regs. The requirements do alter slightly in parts of the UK. As an example in Scotland competency does not exclude a competent DIYer......but often those are few and far between.

 It is not just a case of having a meter and a bit of knowledge and the ability to wield a screwdriver in all cases. Some minor repairs are exempt. Now the professionals have competency schemes which means as members they ought to be competent. I would accept that not all professionals are competent and think that those who do electrical work as a convenient addition to 'odd jobs' can be the most incompetent (...personal opinion as payment does not equal competency!)

So getting a competent person is a good idea if you are not fully competent (with all aspects of the work) yourself.

As I have written before on posts, where there are legal and regulatory requirements to be met, it is also not a good idea to accept information given on forums by well meaning but persons who do not have competence themselves especiall those based upon guesses and half truths.

@FaceHead and others may well be well meaning and helpfull; some content in threads indicate many posters are not competent. I can be difficult or impossible to know that poster's competence!! So just a warning here to take care.

As a footnote it would still be well worth checking your electrician is a competent professional registered as such. If you pictures are an indication then I would seriously question the electrician's competence in leaving a half finished domestic job in that state! Such as cables cut back, uninsulated in an unknown state and back boxes not 'earthed' .....and that is only what is visible in your posted pictures!

bris

Ectophile said:

My guess is that the electrician intended to extend the ring. A single spur from a socket is OK. But spurs off spurs isn't, and neither is multiple spurs off the same socket.

If you are adding several new sockets, the best way is to break the ring at an appropriate point, then remake the ring to include all the new sockets.

The electrician may have run in a bunch of wires ready to make this new extension to the ring, but not connected them yet.

You can spur off a spur as long as you put 13amp FCU in first.