Extra sockets and part P

[Buzz word]

I completed on my first house the other day and have been doing a bit of decorating. Some of the sockets are the stand proud sort so i want to change these to the flush sort as I have to do a bit of filling anyway I think I may as well. I also wanted to add a few sockets in the lounge and bedroom.

I looked into part P and i'm totally unsure as to weather I can do it or not.

http://www.partp.co.uk/consumer/consumer_doesit.as...

I found a few links like that that say I don't need to tell building control but I cant find anything saying I need to have it certified. The site says it needs to be done to BS7671:2008. So as long as I can find out what that means and then do it am I ok to just do the job?

Also, I want to add some cat 5 and move the phone socket. I dont think I am alowed to muck abou with the master socket so I want to do it via extension. Are there any rules governing these types of install?

[eps]

As far as I understand it, if you replace something, and aren't changing the wiring, you are able to do this. If you were putting a new socket in, then it would need to be certified.

From part P

"
Table 1: Work that need not be notified to building control bodies
Work consisting of:
Replacing accessories such as socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling roses

Replacing the cable for a single circuit only, where damaged, for example, by fire, rodent or impact (a)

Re-fixing or replacing the enclosures of existing installation components (b)

Providing mechanical protection to existing fixed installations (c)

Work that is not in a kitchen or special location and does not involve a special installation (d) and consists of:
Adding lighting points (light fittings and switches) to an existing circuit (e)
Adding socket-outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit (e)
Installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding (f)
"

Special locations are those such as swimming pools, hot air saunas etc..

This was from Part P eff. Jan 2005.

[eps]

re : CAT5 and telephone stuff, no idea. But if you break the phone connection within your property BT will charge you to rectify it.. and they charge lots.

[Goochie]

Beware that the majority of "flat plate" accessories require a 35mm deep back box. Your property probably only has 25mm boxes fitted at the moment.

[Buzz word]

eps said:

Table 1: Work that need not be notified to building control bodies
Work consisting of:

Adding socket-outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit (e)

Thanks for the replies but this is similar to what I found before. I thought adding sockets would not need to go through building control on the above caveat. It just never says that you still need a certificate or not.


The phone I thought they would charge a fair bit if I broke it so was just going to put an extension in I.e. 1G box in the wall to an extension then patch together. It's hidden behind some curtains I just want the router on the other side of the room.

[B17NNS]

My understanding was that you can work on an existing circuit eg break into the ring and add another socket, add spurs etc. But kitchens and bathrooms are pretty much a no no.

I guess in the end only you know whether you are competent and capable of doing the work to a suitable safe standard. Anyway, the modifications were done before you moved in weren't they?

Wouldn't hurt to get a spark in to give the whole installation a once over, ensure the gas and water bonding is up to scratch etc. RCD protection is always nice

[DrDeAtH]

correct. Part P applies to 'special locations' ie.: kitchens and bathrooms generally. also the addition of new circuits and changing/upgrading consumer units.

if you are unsure as to the full level of health and safety of the existing installation, then it would be prudent to have it inspected.

As to the phone master socket, dont think you are supposed to play with it, but if you feel confident, then move it. BT wont come running after you if you do.

CAT5 cabling as far as i am aware is not covered by any law saying you cant do it in your own home yourself

hope this helps...

[eps]

Buzz word said:

eps said:

Table 1: Work that need not be notified to building control bodies
Work consisting of:

Adding socket-outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit (e)

Thanks for the replies but this is similar to what I found before. I thought adding sockets would not need to go through building control on the above caveat. It just never says that you still need a certificate or not.


The phone I thought they would charge a fair bit if I broke it so was just going to put an extension in I.e. 1G box in the wall to an extension then patch together. It's hidden behind some curtains I just want the router on the other side of the room.

Notified / Certification = same thing here

[sjj84]

Buzz word said:

The site says it needs to be done to BS7671:2008. So as long as I can find out what that means and then do it am I ok to just do the job?

BS7671:2008 is the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, a big book full of legal jargon.

[thinfourth2]

So being someone who is qualified to work up to 6.6Kv 3phase power supplys on ships how do i get certified to put an extra fecking socket in the kitchen.

Also i have a big box of stuff to put electrics into my big workshop do i need someone to charge me lots of money to do a job worse then i would do i?

[schmokin1]

thinfourth2 said:

So being someone who is qualified to work up to 6.6Kv 3phase power supplys on ships how do i get certified to put an extra fecking socket in the kitchen.

Also i have a big box of stuff to put electrics into my big workshop do i need someone to charge me lots of money to do a job worse then i would do i?

wouldn't you qualify as a 'competent person' and could do the work yourself and get Building Control to inspect and test it? Ask them....

[cjs]

If you know what you are doing then just do it, if you don't know what you are doing then get a sparks in to do it, simple. Why are you worrying about Part P? It's your house and you are living in it, who is going to know if you add sockets or re wire the house?

[V12Les]

cjs said:

If you know what you are doing then just do it, if you don't know what you are doing then get a sparks in to do it, simple. Why are you worrying about Part P? It's your house and you are living in it, who is going to know if you add sockets or re wire the house?

+1

[Brite spark]

sjj84 said:

BS7671:2008 is the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, a big book full of legal jargon.

jargon yes "legal" is debatable in many aspects, it is not the same as eawr or hasawa which are mandatory regulations

[Brite spark]

Buzz word said:

The phone I thought they would charge a fair bit if I broke it so was just going to put an extension in I.e. 1G box in the wall to an extension then patch together. It's hidden behind some curtains I just want the router on the other side of the room.

you shouln't need to "patch" the two sockets

remove the faceplate of your master socket and their should be connections to add an extension, either a and b or 2 and 5, connect other end and you should be good to go

alternatively plug a long lead into the btmaster socket and take other end of cable into back of new outlet

[Buzz word]

Thanks guys, I called building control in the end just to be sure and they said I don't need it certified if it is on a circuit they don't worry about. However come sale time there could be problems convincing solicitors that the work is exempt so recomended getting a propper spark so they could issue a minor works certificate just for ease of sale. I think I'm just going to go ahead and do it.
Thanks for the info on the socket brite spark. I hadn't realised there was that function in the box, it sounds much neater that way.

[marc.l]

thinfourth2 said:

So being someone who is qualified to work up to 6.6Kv 3phase power supplys on ships how do i get certified to put an extra fecking socket in the kitchen.

Also i have a big box of stuff to put electrics into my big workshop do i need someone to charge me lots of money to do a job worse then i would do i?

Yes, welcome New Labour.

[onomatopoeia]

thinfourth2 said:

So being someone who is qualified to work up to 6.6Kv 3phase power supplys on ships how do i get certified to put an extra fecking socket in the kitchen.

You use cable with the old colour insulation (red / black / bare?), so the work was obviously done before Part P was introduced when you didn't need to be certified.

I really, really hope an incoming Conservative government rids us of the obscenity that is Part P. It's my bloody house, mains wiring is easy to do correctly and safely. I should be able to do it myself without recourse to building inspectors, thank you very much. It's not like gas which can leak out if you get it wrong, or plumbing which can flood the place and bring down the ceiling etc.

[Brite spark]

onomatopoeia said:

You use cable with the old colour insulation (red / black / bare?), so the work was obviously done before Part P was introduced when you didn't need to be certified.

It's my bloody house, mains wiring is easy to do correctly and safely. It's not like gas which can leak out if you get it wrong, or plumbing which can flood the place and bring down the ceiling etc.

Think you might struggle to get hold of cable with the old colours now, it's also an un needed expense and hasle as new colours can be used whilst avoiding the need for part p

gas is potentially dangerous
plumbing is potentially dangerous
AND SO IS ELECTRIC IF YOU GET IT WRONG!

[Goochie]

Brite spark said:

Think you might struggle to get hold of cable with the old colours now,

Car boot sale or ebay works for me