Rules about electrical work - anyone know much about them?
Rules about electrical work - anyone know much about them?
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a_bread

Original Poster:

721 posts

202 months

Wednesday 17th February 2010
quotequote all
I seem to remember the government brought in laws to ensure that any new electrical work done in your home is done by a qualified member of an appropriate body, but I know very little about how this works in practice.

I had a new kitchen built not long ago, and no changes were needed to the existing wiring (apparently) so it's simply been left there as it was, the only change being a few downlighter fittings on the bottoms of the new wall cabinets. In the boiler cupboard, which is in the kitchen, existing wiring continues to be visible inside the cupboard, just held neatly in place with new cable grips. I'm assuming this is acceptable but don't actually know.

Does anyone know if some sort of certificate is needed (I wasn't provided with one) and whether this is likely to be asked for in the process of selling? (In the sale the agents are drawing particular attention to the newly built kitchen as a selling point).

eps

6,585 posts

286 months

Solitude

1,902 posts

192 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
Its more likely that an overall view will be taken on the electrics not just the kitchen.
The buyer if he/she has wits about them, they will ask for a periodic inspection of the fixed wiring.
Some clowns on this forum will tell you its a con (the same jokers who think because it works means it must be safe) however it serves as a better measure of the health of the installation than the "survey" (joke) carried out by the third party's mortgage company.
Its doubtful they will single out the kitchen.
A periodic test backs up your claim that the leccy is healthy (as does a gas safe cert in the case of the boiler) and makes up part of an impressive "hand over" package.
As the seller to either this (or any other potential buyer) you can get one and have it ready for inspection.

Good luck

Ricky_M

6,618 posts

236 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
I had to do a four day course just to be able to plug in a combi boiler to a wall socket.

As soon as you add an electrical appliance onto a circuit you need to be able to test the circuit and provide a certificate to prove its safe.

I didn't realise until I'd done the course what a hash you can make of electricery by making a simple mistake, it pays to get someone who knows what they are doing.

B17NNS

18,506 posts

264 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
Ricky_M said:
I had to do a four day course just to be able to plug in a combi boiler to a wall socket.
You don't need any qualifications to plug an appliance into a wall socket.

I'm assuming you mean you took a course to enable you to safely add a fused spur to which a boiler could subsequently be connected?

DrDeAtH

3,659 posts

249 months

Friday 19th February 2010
quotequote all
i suppose he will be taking the course for inspection and testing next.... :-)