Electrical Advice

Reflections on Transitioning from Plumbing to Electrical Work Discussion ThreadReflections on Transitioning from Plumbing to Electrical Work Electrical Advice

After working as a plumber and gas engineer for nearly 12 years, I decided two years ago to retrain as an electrician. It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey, and I’m on track to be fully qualified by May/June 2025. Along the way, I’ve come to really appreciate the differences between the two trades and the level of...

 

How to drive manually HT1621B LCD driver IC? Discussion ThreadHow to drive manually HT1621B LCD driver IC? Electrical Advice

• Im trying to figure out how to drive (manually-bitbang) a HT1621B LCD driver IC. It is capable of driving multiplexed LCDs. They are very cheap, but only in smd form, which is a bit of a challenge to solder all its tiny 48 pins. See youtu.be/xwRXpbxjLcw - you can skip through the movie since it's a long one. I actually managed to drive them using a...

 

Help identifying these diodes Discussion ThreadHelp identifying these diodes Electrical Advice

Hello everyone!
Im trying to fix a device and upon looking into the diodes, I noticed something odd.
Even though they are all marked the same, the flower like symbol and "MG", the values on the multimeter vary quite a bit between the diodes.
Also, even if the symbol and MG are oriented the same way, some of the diodes are measured one way, others the oposite way, and two of them both ways...

 

Extending ring final - any potential gotchas? Discussion ThreadExtending ring final - any potential gotchas? Electrical Advice

Hello again, been a while.

I'm wanting to extend a ring final and I'm at the 1st fix stage as part of some building work to open up our ground floor. Following demolition, a 2 gang socket is redundant in place, so my plan is to extend the ring and add 2 further 2 gang sockets. To join into the ring I'm planning to use a pair of Hager 32a maintenance free...

 

TT or PME Discussion ThreadTT or PME Electrical Advice

Just been to look at a job and found this. It's an overhead supply so could be pme at the post but no earth back to the cutout and (although admittedly i didn't have much time to have a proper look) I didn't spot a rod.

I'm thinking advise the customer to get the dno to come and have a look and fit an isolator while they're at it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks...

 

What's My Next Big Move? Help Me Decide! Discussion ThreadWhat's My Next Big Move? Help Me Decide! Electrical Advice

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a bit of advice as to what courses to take to become fully qualified (having been out of the trade for around 14 years).

From 2000 – 2010 I worked in the electrical trade, so I have a decade or so of experience.

In 2005 and 2006 I obtained several qualifications including:

Level 2 Certificate in Electrical Installation Theory and...

 

Ajax Smoke Alarms Discussion ThreadAjax Smoke Alarms Electrical Advice

Hi all,

We’ve been doing several Part 6 jobs regularly, and I just came across ajax mains powered alarms: FireProtect 2 receives BSI Kitemark Certification | Blog Ajax - https://ajax.systems/blog/fireprotect-2-receives-bsi-certification/.

They’re claiming full compliance with BS 5839-6. The technology looks decent, and I like that they’re not sold online (unlike some other brands that wind me up when...

 

Board to summer house Discussion ThreadBoard to summer house Electrical Advice

Hi guys, so I’ve just installed a new board into a summer house. I was wondering do i just do a eic for the install and an eic for the new board? Or do I have to test eicr the whole of the old board?

Board to summer house for the original thread on Electricians Forums

 

Using live or neutral wire as earthing lead for piranha ring Discussion ThreadUsing live or neutral wire as earthing lead for piranha ring Electrical Advice

Hi All. Need an advice... If clearly marked as earth, can I use live or neutral wire from 6mm T&E as earthing lead for piranha nut used for 10mm SWA?

Using live or neutral wire as earthing lead for piranha ring for the original thread on Electricians Forums

 

Kitchen sockets not working anymore Discussion ThreadKitchen sockets not working anymore Electrical Advice

Hi,

I was wondering if someone may be able to assist please. Recently all the kitchen wall sockets have stopped working so no power in the sockets except the oven but the oven has its own dedicated circuit breaker in fuse box. The kitchen sockets also has its own circuit breaker but it hasn't tripped. Would someone know why something like this may happen? All the circuit...

 

Average price for an EICR? Another poll! Please read post before voting. Discussion ThreadAverage price for an EICR? Another poll! Please read post before voting. Electrical Advice

I'm going a bit poll crazy at the moment. I love polls!

This one is just a bit of fun. It's obviously very inaccurate and there will be many variations on price, but...

Lets just ask 'What price would you charge for an EICR on an average 2-3 bed house'? No outbuildings, one consumer unit (10 or...

 

just need this to pass the nvq Discussion Threadjust need this to pass the nvq Electrical Advice

nvq Incorrect phase rotation
i do understand this just need to get some pictures of me

is there any electricians based Wickford or Basildon Essex
who could possibly help me with this i need to have pictures of me fault finding with phase tester pictures showing the phase incorrect and correcting it retest
i dont do 3 phase in my job only metal munching
easy job i know just need this...

 

Easy cert users ive been thinking! Discussion ThreadEasy cert users ive been thinking! Electrical Advice

Hello all easy cert users, ive been using easy cert since 2001 with no yearly subscription. and also found other people looking for older versions of easy cert.
Ive emailed brian at support and they do not give out or keep old versions of the software. but it appears that when i changed my pc and reloaded it my login is not compatable with the newest version as its only compatable...

 

Megger 1720 probe socket assembly replacement Discussion ThreadMegger 1720 probe socket assembly replacement Electrical Advice

Hi

I wondered if anyone knows where I can get a replacement probe socket assembly for a Megger 1720. One of the test lead pins has snapped off and I can't get it out...

 

Issues with megger mft1720 Discussion ThreadIssues with megger mft1720 Electrical Advice

Hi

I've got a megger mft 1720 that I was hoping any one can shed any light on



When performing continuity tests (even when nulling the leads) and earth loop tests I seem to get higher readings than normal.



After a while of testing the tester seems to settle down and gives more accurate readings.



The tester has been calibrated a few months ago but has been like it for a while now. I've...

 

Ballast for low pressure sodium street light bulbs Discussion ThreadBallast for low pressure sodium street light bulbs Electrical Advice

I have a customer that had an older street light with a 30W Phillips Sox bulb in in. It's an absolute pain to get to as it's mounted on a building very high with obstacles preventing easy ladder access and steps / ramps at ground level all around it.

When it stopped working I offered a new LED unit. He would rather keep the 30W Sox bulb as he is...

 

Transfer switch wiring (for generator and/or Anker Solix) Discussion ThreadTransfer switch wiring (for generator and/or Anker Solix) Electrical Advice

Our house , here is rural washington state, USA has an external Square-D double throw not fusible" external manual transfer switch (DTU-224NRB) , (see attached photo) . the previous owners had it attached to a diesel generator, but the wires for the that are gone once we got it.. we have a portable Dewalt DXGNR8000, as well as a Anker...

 

Cooker/hob connection at outlet. Discussion ThreadCooker/hob connection at outlet. Electrical Advice

Just getting back into the trade after a brake of some 5 yrs because of circumstances: Can I ask Is it still permiseable to connect both a hob and oven (usually manufacturers different size cables) into one outlet plate behind the oven?
Or is there a better solution now as it always seemed to contravene good practice to me?
Also can the isolator be local in a cupboard instead of...

 

Am I going crazy or are VPro dimmers threaded differently? Discussion ThreadAm I going crazy or are VPro dimmers threaded differently? Electrical Advice

Today I was in a house where we need to change all the dimmer modules since the old ones are triac dimmers and so flickering the new LED lights.

There's about 50 to change, all for new VPro Smart Multi Way (with the companions) and Standard 120w modules.

Unfortunately the house is filled with expensive screwless clear switches...

 

EICR - Certificate, do I need to change my CU? Discussion ThreadEICR - Certificate, do I need to change my CU? Electrical Advice

Hi All,

My first post - starting with a question and looking for your help/guidance.

I'm looking to rent out my house 4 bed mid-terraced and I am looking to have an EICR certification done.
Reading it seems I don't have to change the CU but the electrician says I will have to as I am going to be letting the place out.

This CU was installed in 2013 it's...