Elcert

Hi Ron, You could either connected it directly into the consumer unit or you can connect to another cable before it enters the consumer unit by using another smaller box with appropriate gland holes. Either way you will need gland kits to ensure that it is secure to the fitting as wells as armoured cable cleats for securing the cable against structures. It is a hard thing to explain directly however it not impossible to carry out the work should you feel sufficiently handy. You will need to cut through the outer layer (black) of the SWA to expose the steel wire armouring the cable. There are plenty of you tube videos out showing how to prepare the wire however please ensure you carry out all safety precautions before carrying out any electrical work. Please also be aware that any changes to the consumer unit, or additional circuits or alterations to existing circuits, will require signing off to building control to ensure your building insurance is still valid. Kind regards, Matt

Hi James, The easiest option available to yourself is by purchasing tp-links. These use your existing electrical system to make mini wifi zones around your house by using plug in wifi boosters. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Martin, If the wiring has been completed properly the addition of one or even two additional lights would not cause any unnecessary drain on your electrics. If you however are concerned about flickering then it might be also worth considering investing in the new LED tubes which last longer, consume less electricity and are not so prone to flickering. Kind regards, Matt Elcert

Hi Danny, you can request to cancel your account at anytime by contacting Rated People by their email inquiry form. I'm sorry that this site hasn't worked as you expected and hope you the best in future work. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Jean, If the electrician came via this site then you can go to your account on rated people and select the job in question in which there will be an option to rate the tradesman. Otherwise you can contact rated people directly and request to leave feedback directly via their email inquiry form. Again the tradesman must be a member of rated people. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Rich, Unfortunately this really is dependant on the Electrician in question. The biggest out lay for the Electrician will be the Steel Wired Armoured Cable, which depends on length, number or cores and size. For an outside shed predominantly just lights and sockets you would be looking at at least a two-core, 4mm diameter wire. The job would take approximately a day and cost is determined by location with Electricians in London charging almost double those in other parts of the country. A reasonable budget to assume for would be anywhere between £150-£250 for parts and £150-£400 for labour. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Gina, the simple answer is you only need to get a EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) should you not want to, or question the requirement to get a rewire. An EICR will identify if there are elements of the house which are perfectly sound which you could get away with not replacing. Most electricians will gladly do a limited on site survey for free, however this would be very limiting as a proper EICR can take normally several hours. You could request that it is a condition of sale that the sellers pay half towards the EICR so that you are not dramatically out of pocket. It is always wise to have an EICR before purchasing a property so that all potential faults and problems are identified prior to the sale, however it is always better to use different electricians to carry out the EICR and carry out the rewire so that the Electricians don't end up talking up the job. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Michael, This is a very difficult question to answer as it could be a myriad of issue's. The simplest answer is that the electric trips when a surge is detected, and the simultaneous switching of both bedroom lights and kitchen lights pushing the expected demand from the circuit over the breaker size (usually 6A). This is also usually down to the property of the bulbs being used, as they may have a large initial demand when turning on before settling down to a normal level. The cheapest and easiest solution is to change the bulbs in the affected rooms with lower wattage/rating bulbs and see if this fixes the issue. If you have multiple downlights in either room consider changing them for LED equivalents as they are less demanding. If the bulb changes doesn't work then you are looking at problems with either your fixings or wiring which would need proper diagnostic investigation be a qualified or competent person. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Nicki, hopefully the person fitting the aerial is suitable trained with certification equivalent to either City and Guilds level 2 or the SVQ 1687 in Electrical and Electronic Servicing (Signal Reception). Although many tradesman whom are electrical engineers ( not specifically electricians ) may also be able to assist. The could obviously have been an apprentice with another aerial fitter for a few years prior, however this normally results in a formal qualification. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Anne-Marie, The simple answer is yes as you can have as many spur sockets ran off your ring main as you wish. However what you can't do is run a spur of another spur which is against wiring regulations. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Gary, If you suspect that the electrician isn't competent or qualified to carry out the work then there are several options available. 1. Check with Part P competent person scheme provider (NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA to name a few) and raise the complaint with them to investigate. 2. Raise the matter with trading standards, or your local authority ( building control ). Unfortunately rated people is only an interface between tradesmen and customers and gives tradesmen the opportunity ( for a fee ) to purchase job leads and contact customers. Unfortunately you probably find a waiver of liability in the terms and conditions of usage of rated people which will indicate that it is your responsibility to ensure you are happy with the tradesman's credentials, feedback and ratings before employing them. I understand this doesn't potentially help you in the situation you are in, however always be aware that there are processes for redress if you believe the work isn't up to standards. Please ensure you get a receipt for the work undertaken as this will enable you to challenge any poor workmanship. Kind regards, Matt Elcert

Hi Mike, unfortunately if it isn't a tripped RCD then potentially it could be several things which would need to be checked. 1. MCB failure (it does happen) 2. Loose connection of Live (brown connectors) in top of RCD. 3. Loose neutral connections on neutral bar in consumer unit. 4. Neutrals for ring circuit incorrectly connected or not connected to appropriate location in consumer unit. 5. Busbar loose or MCB not powered by incoming supply. As all these problems exist within the consumer unit please ensure you use proper isolation techniques, are competent or qualified to change or alter circuits within the consumer unit due to the live voltages present. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Clare, There is nothing in building regulations preventing you putting cabling at any height on the wall as long as it doesnt undermine the structure itself. Building regulations state however runs should be run purely in horizontal or vertical planes in line with sockets or switches. I would advise that if you do wish to put the cable within the skirting boards ensure that you identify the facts on the back of the skirting boards as well as ensuring that the wiring itself is protected with metal conduiting and buried at a suitable depth which is less than 1/3 of the depth of the wall. As Russel states ask a Part P registered electrician to minimally advise on the work and also it will require RCD protection as it is an alteration or addition to the existing wiring. Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Denny, The solution is pretty straight forward however might be expensive. As all the circuits still potentially need some sort of RCD protection the solution is to remove completely the RCD and have all MCB's changed to RCBO. This means an individual circuit will not effect any of the others. Kind regards, Matt Elcert

Hi Sharon, there is a little difference in price depending on location with some area's of London charging twice the norm. However you could expect to pay between 1 & 2 thousand depending on the complexity of rewiring, number of circuits or size of flat. Kind regards, Matt

Hi Graeme, I concur with Michael the electrician should of offered you one of two solutions to your wiring, which would have been either chasing or conduit, the fact that he hasn't and obviously left wiring exposed brings into question his professionalism. The only possible time this might be different is when the wiring is to be behind cupboards such as a kitchen, which has yet to be fitted. Either way you should either contact the Electrician and clarify the final product and if it is the case the Electrician believes he has completed the work as agreed either contact his Competent Person Scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA. There is no point going to building control as they will cite it is your responsibility to ensure that the work is carried out by a competent person. Kind regards, Matt

Hi Elena, The actual fact is if you have metal fronts on your light switch then yes they need to be earthed. However if you have an old style wiring system which doesn't have earths then as long as plastic switches and back this wiring up with an RCD then you are perfectly safe. For further information i advise you check out the Electrical Safety Council (esc.gov) webpage for helpful advice when it comes to electrics. Kind regards, Matt

Hi Geoff, I've converted many a man cave and dependant on distance, loading and usage would dictate what kind of setup you require. Because the distance is so close the option of using an elevated supply cable is an option, however you should actually be measuring either the distance from your meter supply or from the consumer unit. Most Electricians should not connect the shed via the consumer unit in the house as you should have independance from household electrics should anything occur in either not affecting both. As Russell said you should provide it with its own localised mini consumer unit and be aware your requirements and that the circuits you have installed are adequate. Please also be aware that unless you carry out some major work to the walls and structure of the shed, then the location is still classed as a temporary structure and therefore all sockets, switches and light fixtures should either be IP rated or suitable for the environment. Lastly any shed having powered supplied to it is notifiable under building regulations and therefore will require the statuatory paperwork involved and applicable fees, unless you use a Part P qualified Electrician who is part of a Competent Person Scheme (ie NAPIT, ECA, NICEIC). Kind regards, Matt ELCERT

Hi Sue, I agree with all the others however there is another cause if it is in the top corner of the room upstairs. This is potentially down to having too much insulation in your loft therefore not allowing the house to breath ( old houses had air bricks to combat this issue ). If you recently took part in the government incentive for loft insulation it is not unknown for companies putting too much in. Kind regards, Matt Elcert

Hi Rebecca, Please beware that some electricians will give false information in reference to issues which are non compliance. The one and only reason you should upgrade your consumer unit is for safety. Your consumer unit is the heart of your electrics and therefore can be compared with that if the boiler in your heating system. If you have had this come back due to having an electrical report then get at least three quotes from electricians to see how much you should be paying. Also I recommend going on the esc.org.uk website which will give you lots of great advice about consumer units, reports and all other things electrical. Kind regards, Matt Elcert