Electrical Advice

Hi just trying to get my head around how to go about pat testing a 3phase 415v 4 pole extension lead, on the first test (IEC polarity) it looks like it needs to see a closed circuit on each pole being L , N , E independently, obviously there is no neutral connection as it stops at the commando plug, do we have to connect the neutral outside of the commandos to get a correct reading. The pat tester is just faulting out with open circuit.

Currently connections are as follows, 230v plug live...

 

Morning lads.

Todays job is to go to in laws and firstly replace a cooker hood that went fzzzzz! Which is straightforward.
But I’ve also got to change the gas hob for an electric. Following an incident where gas was left on by increasingly forgetful mother in law.

There is an existing 32A protected, 6mm cable cooker supply switch that controls a double oven at the moment…. Total rated load 4.8kW

The new hob is 5 ring ceramic, rated 7350W

What’s the diversity on a 5 ring hob, and could...

 

https://timeled.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/time-led-766668-folding-floodlight-instructions-v1.pdf

I have lost the plug for the light in this link above. Could anyone send me a link to a replacement plug if they have one please

Continue reading...

 

Hi everyone,

I’m installing two smoke alarms and a heat alarm in a standard two-bedroom renovation. I was considering omitting RCBO protection for the smoke/heat circuits since they’re part of a safety system. Does that approach sound correct, or would it be better to integrate them into the lighting circuit instead?

Appreciate any advice!

Continue reading...

 

Hi,

We have just had a house survey done on my late parents home. The surveyor has picked up the fact that main electricity feed to the house comes in to the kitchen and the meters are attached inside the kitchen cupboard. This kitchen was fitted professionally and electrics completed by an electrician around 15years ago.
The houses were built in the late 60’s and once had a coal porch (?), side entrance. Probably 95% of this type of house have blocked this doorway and extended their...

 

I made reference to this the other day on another thread and it (probably rightly) got lost in the replies...

Is 20A testing for conduit used as cpc still a thing? I can find no obvious mention of it in 18th GN3 or the relevant parts of s5. I also get the general impression that most modern MFT's won't produce a 20A test function (happy to be schooled on that!).

Reason for asking is that it came up in conversation a while back with someone who's a C&G assessor who was claiming it is, and...

 

I was setting up a heatmiser UH8 wiring centre tonight and the boiler has a 230v output terminal for connecting to ac devices. The call for heat on the boiler is L/SW Live on another terminal and is volt frree

My plan was to use a 5 core from the boiler to the wiring centre, but when I looked at the heatmiser wiring diagram, its showing an earth between the boiler and wiring centre for the heat enable connection.

Is this earth necessary for the boiler enable? I've seen other wiring...

 

Hi,

Thanks for your patience with me - I am a trainee.

So I have got a 2.5 ring in a 20mm PVC conduit. 2 multicore cables enclosed means that according to table 4C1 on page 443 I have to apply Cg of 0.8 to the tabulated current.

So I know that must be > or at least = to In/Cg - (Appendix 4 reg 5.2 equation 5 page 426)
So my It is 32/0.8 - 40A. In the case of a ring then this is 20A per leg effectively for cable selection.

So far so good - I think anyway.

So off I go to table 4D5 on page...

 

Evening guys.

So today's job has left me a little puzzled.
Hands up I'm not a heating engine, normally on Commercial and haven't done a Y Plan for some hours!!

Friend asked me to have a look at one of his rentals which had been fine and the boiler guy came to service his WBosch but it wouldn't run.

When I went yesterday the house was at 30+ oC even tho the stat was set to 15.
(The stat and programmer are cheap tat ) Tried to turn off at programmer but did not respond and boiler kept...

 

I did a poll last year (and the year before) on exactly this.

Below I have pasted what I wrote in the thread last time so there is a degree of similarity. We can then see if we have changed our prices much (again, bit of fun, not accurate)

pasted...

I thought I would start a poll to see 'roughly' what the average hourly rate is for self employed electricians?

To keep it as simple as possible, forget about any 'first hour' rate you may or may not charge and just go for your rate after...

 

Hi I have come across an unusual situation but my brain is not working..... (I am an electrician btw)

I am putting in a second consumer unit (garage) and it just so happens million to one that the new (second) consumer unit is going on the wall that is 100% perfectly directly the other side of the main CU. In other words they line up - just a double skin wall in between.

As long as I seal the hole for fire can I just not go through one of the back cut outs of one CU and straight into the...

 

Hi everyone. Im on a job thats really boggling me.

So old freestanding electric cooker was tripping when hot plates are on for about 15-20mins. I did the insulation tests on the cables when disconnected at board. 999+ reading. So I thought ok must be cooker. Estate agents orders new one. I install new one and same thing happens.

So I tested cables again. Wiring is 5years old. Perfect readings all the way from consumer unit to the cooker itself when hot plates are cold.

When I put the...

 

Hi all,

I'm looking for a little advice. We have a wall by our back door, there is existing cabling running from the back door (irritatingly unground) to the wall at which point it comes up (see green box in attached image) and splits with one side going to the garage and the other to a shed (blue box in image).

I'm considering adding an external light for the back door area on to the wall (at roughly the red box in image). What do I need to consider? Obviously, the light, fuse box, etc...

 

Hi all,

Currently remodelling the kitchen and want to replace the antiquated central heating control unit, the current one is now 30 years old so I'd like something more modern to go with the new kitchen. Anybody know a product they could recommend?

Footnote; The unit isn't in operation in this state I switched it on simply so you could see what it looks like when running. I'm just removing the old tiles and will be screwing it back to the wall shortly.

Continue reading...

 

I’ve been having a brain fog moment.

I’m looking for edge protection for a straight cut in steel trunking.
“Grommet strip” in a search on CEF only brings up the small, flexible stuff for round holes.

The stuff I’m thinking of is straight, not flexible… usually black, but would prefer white if I could get it… Covers about 10mm or more on each side of the metal.

Spent all weekend trying to think of the right words to use on an online search that isn’t “grommet strip”


Recommendations...

 

Are we allowed to cut meter seals to install an isolation switch between the suppliers meter and Cu in a domestic premises?
If not can you register to be able to do this ?

Thanks

Continue reading...

 

Hey guys

I've got my megger mft1722.

I'm trying to do the live Ze and Zs tests.

So for example I know to do my Ze test use a croc on incoming earth via disconnecting it first. And use a line probe on incoming line.

However I'm unsure as all my probes are colour coordinated (fused and unfused ive tot both). I have all 3 probes but for this I just the need the 2.

Too do the first test . I googled It says put my probe wires in red l1 and blue r3. However should I just be putting red probe...

 

Which if any unions does anyone recommend for electricians and PAT Testers please? Thank you.

Continue reading...

 

Does anyone recommend a decent electrical screwdriver just for accessories ie sockets etc when dead?
Just need a cheap and cheerful

Cheers.

Continue reading...

 

just helped a mate move into his house, new consumer unit fitted with RCBO's etc test sheet supplied, but no cpc's at the switches

Continue reading...