Ancient ceiling pendant fitting

Risteard

FreeBear said:

Bookworm105 said:

FreeBear said:

Bookworm105 said: has the property ever been rewired? If not it is highly likely those pendants are fed with 2 core wire without an earth, so you will have a major problem if your new light fitting must have an earth connection to be safe.

 it would be wise to get the place rewired.

yes it would be wise, but the annoying thing is one is no longer "allowed" to DIY a job I can do but not sign off.

You are "allowed" to change fittings, replace damaged cables, and even extend a circuit - None of it requires signing off. Although, the NICEIC would have you believe that all work must be carried out by one of their "members".

The sort of work that requires certifying includes (not a comprehensive list) -

• Fitting a new consumer unit.
• Installing a new circuit.
• Rewiring a house.
• Fitting a new shower in a bathroom.

The rules in Scotland & N.I. vary, so do check local legislation.

The NICEIC doesn't have members.

Bookworm105

Risteard said:

The NICEIC doesn't have members.

semantics
it is a trade association who charges people for the right to display its logo so they can tell customers: yes, I'm a NICEIC approved electrician (aka "member" of a trade body)

Risteard

Bookworm105 said:

Risteard said:

The NICEIC doesn't have members.

semantics
it is a trade association who charges people for the right to display its logo so they can tell customers: yes, I'm a NICEIC approved electrician (aka "member" of a trade body)

It's not a trade association.

Bookworm105

Risteard said:

Bookworm105 said:

Risteard said:

The NICEIC doesn't have members.

semantics
it is a trade association who charges people for the right to display its logo so they can tell customers: yes, I'm a NICEIC approved electrician (aka "member" of a trade body)

It's not a trade association.

then define what it is in your eyes because in ordinary English that is exactly what it is.

A marketing gimmick intended to convince customers that an NICEIC registered person is "competent" because they are accredited to NICEIC and hold an industry recognised qualification.

It is exactly the same as the "professional" accountancy bodies: pass their exams and you can use the logo which "we" spend a lot of money on promoting so it has good credibility in the eyes of (your) customers.

" NICEIC is the UK's largest register of electrical businesses. We ensure that NICEIC tradespeople have all the right insurances and policies in place should anything go wrong." 
For householders (niceic.com)

silvercar

Bookworm105 said:

Risteard said:

Bookworm105 said:

Risteard said:

The NICEIC doesn't have members.

semantics
it is a trade association who charges people for the right to display its logo so they can tell customers: yes, I'm a NICEIC approved electrician (aka "member" of a trade body)

It's not a trade association.

then define what it is in your eyes because in ordinary English that is exactly what it is.

A marketing gimmick intended to convince customers that an NICEIC registered person is "competent" because they are accredited to NICEIC and hold an industry recognised qualification.

It is exactly the same as the "professional" accountancy bodies: pass their exams and you can use the logo which "we" spend a lot of money on promoting so it has good credibility in the eyes of (your) customers.

" NICEIC is the UK's largest register of electrical businesses. We ensure that NICEIC tradespeople have all the right insurances and policies in place should anything go wrong." 
For householders (niceic.com)

It’s not at all the same. The professional accountancy bodies have fairly rigorous exams and require a certain amount of experience. Do NICEIC require either? 

Albermarle

tudorfan39 said:

Apologies! Showing my ignorance here!! Here’s a pic of what I sincerely hope is a fuse board!! 

For your info, this is  known as a consumer unit, that have replaced fuseboxes over recent decades.
If you have an electrical problem/ short circuit etc then one of those switches will click to the off position. Sometimes just a bulb going can do it as they are pretty sensitive.

Bookworm105

silvercar said:

Bookworm105 said:

Risteard said:

Bookworm105 said:

Risteard said:

The NICEIC doesn't have members.

semantics
it is a trade association who charges people for the right to display its logo so they can tell customers: yes, I'm a NICEIC approved electrician (aka "member" of a trade body)

It's not a trade association.

then define what it is in your eyes because in ordinary English that is exactly what it is.

A marketing gimmick intended to convince customers that an NICEIC registered person is "competent" because they are accredited to NICEIC and hold an industry recognised qualification.

It is exactly the same as the "professional" accountancy bodies: pass their exams and you can use the logo which "we" spend a lot of money on promoting so it has good credibility in the eyes of (your) customers.

" NICEIC is the UK's largest register of electrical businesses. We ensure that NICEIC tradespeople have all the right insurances and policies in place should anything go wrong." 
For householders (niceic.com)

It’s not at all the same. The professional accountancy bodies have fairly rigorous exams and require a certain amount of experience. Do NICEIC require either? 

please read the link already given 
it is a trade association that promotes those who belong to it are better than those who don't

you have missed that point, fundamentally that is what the accountancy bodies do, just they like to make out they are superior because they are white collar.
One lecturer in my ethics & professional standards class said ICAEW, for example, is nothing more than a posh closed shop trade union. You cannot practice as a Chartered accountant unless you are a member, and the union exists to prevent non members from doing so

we are not discussing relative "rigours" of qualifications 

tudorfan39

Please can you have your argument somewhere else? I just want help with my question, I don’t want to have to scroll through your issue every time

tudorfan39

FreeBear said:

A fairly modern consumer unit with a bit of space for extra MCBs or RCBOs if needed.
Hopefully, the wiring from that CU is of a similar age. Can you see any cables exiting the top of that box ?

No, can’t see any cables coming off it. I think I may speak to an electrician before i do anything just to be sure. Don’t want to start a job and find out it’s bigger than I anticipated. Thanks for your help! Glad I queried now 

FreeBear

Did you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report done when you bought the place (assuming it is a relatively recent purchase) ?

An EICR would be a reasonable starting point, and should cost somewhere between £100 and £300 depending on where you are. That would (should) tell you which parts need urgent attention, and what can be left for another day.