1st big job, would like some tips

[scampy]

Hello again all. I am about to to take on my 1st big job, so far i've added sockets lights ect but now i have the chance to do a rewire. It's a black canvas that a freind is renovationg so i have plenty of time to concentrate on doing a really good job.

I have some questions though, unfortunatly the part P course tought me the theory but has left big holes in the practice.

no1,
how far do you go with the 1st fix? my understanding is you place the cables and boxes but you do not attatche to lights and sockets.

do you go as far as setting up ganged lights and the attatching to junction boxes? He is unsure on what lights will be going in so i intend to uses junction boxes and take the switches from them, have i explained that right?

No2
How deep do you cut in. i'm going to attatch the cable directly to brick work under metal earthed protection. i'll then need to cut in the boxes. i guess i'm asking, how thick do i presume the plaster will be?

No3,
I think i know the answer to this. you do all the testing and inspection at the end of the second fix?

Cheers for your time

 

[ezzzekiel]

first fix would involve running all cables, conduit backboxes etc.
finished surface of boxes should be flush with finished plaster (about 5mm)
insp & test should be carried out progressively during erection

 

[PAUL M]

judging by the basic nature of the questions you are asking should you be doing rewires unsupervised

 

[Shakey]

judging by the basic nature of the questions you are asking should you be doing rewires unsupervised

oops, did I just say that out loud?

thats ok, it was you Paul......

 

[montybaber]

unfortunatly the part P course tought me the theory but has left big holes in the practice.

Whats a part P course

 

[No.15]

Hi Scampy,

Good luck with the job. I'm in a similar situation with being qualified as competent eek: *puts flame-proof suit on) but short on time-serving & experience.

ezzzekiel gave a useful response. If most of your back boxes are going to be 35mm, you could avoid the messy brick chasing by asking the plasterer to apply a 30mm render coat - any electrician-----plasterers out there have preferences on the first-fix electrics set out? Prefer capping or not bothered?
Watch out if you're thinking of using grid switches, the back box required may be 40mm - best to check with manufacturer.

Inspect and test all the time - it gives you the practice!

No.15

 

[montybaber]

Hi no15

you can take your flame suit off (for me anyway) personally I think lifes too short to worry about other peoples qualifications etc but I do worry about electricians going out on their own with no experience as I know how much electricity can hurt (first hand...thats another story).

Just wondering what courses deem you as qualified and competent??

 

[Carter]

....could avoid the messy brick chasing by asking the plasterer to apply a 30mm render coat....

I'm sure that any plasterer will be quite happy to double the thickness of the render & skim (and therefore his materials costs) just to please a bone idle electrician who can't be arsed to chop his boxes in. I can see it now; he'll smile down benevolently at you, ruffle your hair like the cheeky little scamp you are then tell you to "---- right off!" He may then start pointing and laughing.

 

[No.15]

Hello Montybaber,

I've taken and passed the VRQ Level 2 Domestic electrical installer part p course, which confirms I'm competent to carry out and self-certify domestic electrical work. It also means that any work I do will comply with Part P of the Building Regulations (and also Parts A, B, C, E, F, L, and M ! where pertaining to electrical installations). I have a great healthy respect for electricity and, unlike some gung-ho persons, would not attempt work beyond my ability or comprehension.

Now that I've outed myself, I can't ask stupid questions any more! :-(

I'm sure that any plasterer will be quite happy to double the thickness of the render & skim (and therefore his materials costs) just to please a bone idle electrician who can't be arsed to chop his boxes in. I can see it now; he'll smile down benevolently at you, ruffle your hair like the cheeky little scamp you are then tell you to "---- right off!" He may then start pointing and laughing.

Good point. Though I'd rather plaster than chop - there's something serene about floating and waving about as opposed to gritting teeth and fighting the wall .

 

[montybaber]

Now that I've outed myself, I can't ask stupid questions any more! :-(

Why not? i do it on here every day!

 

[ian.settle1]

Quote:
Now that I've outed myself, I can't ask stupid questions any more! :-(
Why not? i do it on here every day!

Out the closet finally are we Monty

 

[montybaber]

Quote:
Now that I've outed myself, I can't ask stupid questions any more! :-(
Why not? i do it on here every day!

Out the closet finally are we Monty

lol

 

[ezzzekiel]

Hello Montybaber,

Level 2 Domestic electrical installer part p course, which confirms I'm competent to carry out and self-certify domestic electrical work.

really cant see how these courses make people competent, not even years of college does that - its hands on, day in day out that makes a good spark...

take your time, check everything as you go, stick to regs and if not sure ask (but dont ask the plasterer)

 

[Shakey]

Hello Montybaber,

I've taken and passed the VRQ Level 2 Domestic electrical installer part p course, which confirms I'm competent to carry out and self-certify domestic electrical work. It also means that any work I do will comply with Part P of the Building Regulations (and also Parts A, B, C, E, F, L, and M ! where pertaining to electrical installations). I have a great healthy respect for electricity and, unlike some gung-ho persons, would not attempt work beyond my ability or comprehension.

Now that I've outed myself, I can't ask stupid questions any more! :-(



.

passing the course does not make you:

A:- competent

or

B:- mean that any work you do will comply with relevant parts of the building regs

How can it? It means you have an acceptable understanding of what is REQUIRED to meet the laid down standards

It is no measure of your ability (or indeed willingness) to meet the those standards and rules

I am not saying you are not competent - I hope you are
I am not saying you dont (try) and comply with the building regs (i hope you do)

but we want to do, and what we CAN do, are not always the same thing - and no certificate will prove otherwise

(and i speak as tutor who has taught many, many Domestic Installer VRQ courses)

 

[EasyFox]

Oh yes dont upset the plasterer, at a job in fleet where I got talking to the plasterer during the first fix (got on fine with him), he tells me that he is waiting for a complaint from sparks off another job...story goes;

Sparks during first fix, caused an argument with the plasterers boy (ended up bullying him beyond site banter), the lad tells the gaffer who comes over to the job removes his boys off the site before fisticuffs ensue & agrees with customer to come in later in the week after the sparks have completed 1stfix & cleared off.

The plasterers go in ............... oh dear cables for downlights are now short & a few lugs are missing off backboxes + ring legs at outlets are now a tad shorter (we know how much of a pain in the arris that is).

DONT P*** THE PLASTERER OFF.


Afternoon Shakey hows things in your neck of the woods