Bad Advice From A "Spark" ???

[Pete E]

I would like an additional electric socket put in the bedroom to do away with the need for an extension cable.

Its not an urgent job and its something I have put off getting done due to the hassle factor of having to lift laminate and floor boards, not to mention emptying the bedroom of furniture to give a Spark access.

While chatting to a friend of a friend who is a self employed builder/spark/plumber, he suggested dropping a spur off the lighting circuit in the attic???? Surely that's a big no-no or is it allowed under certain circumstances?

The only reason I was chatting to this guy is that I have seen some of his work re laminated flooring and it was very good, and I was sounding him out for doing the flooring aspect of the job.. I was therefore a bit taken a back when he suggested dropping the feed down from above...

Also, how do you verify if a person is actually qualified as a Spark? Do they have to register with the local council or anything?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

 

[dksanders]

That is an absolute no no and the guy is a dangerous cowboy! You do not feed a socket, which may be drawing up to 13A per socket (26A if it's a double) from a lighting circuit that is only rated to provide 6A!

The lighting circuit fuse/MCB rated at 6A would continually trip/blow; and the circuit is likely to be wired using 1.00mm or 1.5mm cable which can't safely carry the resultant current if it didn't.

He's a perfect example of 'any idiot can get a circuit to work, it takes knowledge to get it to work safely!' He should be told he's an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about, God only knows how many people have taken up his bad advice and now have a dangerous situation in their homes.

To ensure a person is qualified, make sure they are registered with either NAPIT, NICEIC, ECA or ELECSA and also look for them on the Competent Persons Register.

 

[westward10]

It is not likely to cause any danger but as above if you plug anything substantial into you you are likely to get nuisance tripping of the lighting circuit.

 

[pirate]

I suspect if he is a wizard at laying laminate flooring then he will find electrics a breeze! Self-employed builder/spark/plumber? How odd...surely someone would be dying to employ such a chap?
Seriously though, you know the answer to this, don't you?
Get a proper spark in, get the job done safely, and if you're lucky he might even reinstate your laminate!

 

[Pete E]

That is an absolute no no and the guy is a dangerous cowboy! You do not feed a socket, which may be drawing up to 13A per socket (26A if it's a double) from a lighting circuit that is only rated to provide 6A!

The lighting circuit fuse/MCB rated at 6A would continually trip/blow; and the circuit is likely to be wired using 1.00mm or 1.5mm cable which can't safely carry the resultant current if it didn't.

He's a perfect example of 'any idiot can get a circuit to work, it takes knowledge to get it to work safely!' He should be told he's an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about, God only knows how many people have taken up his bad advice and now have a dangerous situation in their homes.

To ensure a person is qualified, make sure they are registered with either NAPIT, NICEIC, ECA or ELECSA and also look for them on the Competent Persons Register.

I was fully expecting that answer but just wanted to make sure from a proper professional so to speak.

From my own limited knowledge, the proper solution is going to be either a spur off an existing power socket that's already in the bedroom or even better, extending the ring...Its one of those jobs that is going to be a lot of hassle just so the Mrs can have a TV in a certain place in the room ! It can go on the backburner until the room needs decorating again...

 

[telectrix]

I was fully expecting that answer but just wanted to make sure from a proper professional so to speak.

From my own limited knowledge, the proper solution is going to be either a spur off an existing power socket that's already in the bedroom or even better, extending the ring...Its one of those jobs that is going to be a lot of hassle just so the Mrs can have a TV in a certain place in the room!

sometimes there are alternative solutions to getting a cable from A to B without lifting laminate flooring etc. a decent spark would be able to advise having seen the situation.

 

[Pete E]

sometimes there are alternative solutions to getting a cable from A to B without lifting laminate flooring etc. a decent spark would be able to advise having seen the situation.

Nearer the time, that's what I would do, but apart from using surface truncking which I don't really want, I think I am going to need to bite the bullet and get it done properly...Edit to add I am not 100% sure but the "obvious" sub floor cable route would mean the cable going through the joists rather than along them...If the joists were running the other way, you'd have a fighting chance of fishing the cable through...

The only other options that I can think of would be to run any cabling behind the skirting board, but that to me would be another bodge or replace the skirt with the fake skirting that is actually trunking...I;ve seen that stuff used in offices for low voltage wiring, but I have no idea if its permitted for mains wiring in a domestic property...Again, that's something I would need to discuss with an electrician and see what they suggest..

 

[dksanders]

Nearer the time, that's what I would do, but apart from using surface truncking which I don't really want, I think I am going to need to bite the bullet and get it done properly...Edit to add I am not 100% sure but the "obvious" sub floor cable route would mean the cable going through the joists rather than along them...If the joists were running the other way, you'd have a fighting chance of fishing the cable through...

The only other options that I can think of would be to run any cabling behind the skirting board, but that to me would be another bodge or replace the skirt with the fake skirting that is actually trunking...I;ve seen that stuff used in offices for low voltage wiring, but I have no idea if its permitted for mains wiring in a domestic property...Again, that's something I would need to discuss with an electrician and see what they suggest..

Behind a skirting board is not a permitted zone for running cables for the very reason that people then nail the boards to the walls and can hit the cables. Also electric cables behind wood boards is a fire risk.

The trunking skirting is acceptable however.

 

[uksrevivor]

Builder/spark/plumber says it all really
Jack of all trades and master of none

 

[Spoon]

Also electric cables behind wood boards is a fire risk

Is this true? Isn't cable clipped to joists.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Is this true? Isn't cable clipped to joists.

NO it's complete bollox

 

[davesparks]

To ensure a person is qualified, make sure they are registered with either NAPIT, NICEIC, ECA or ELECSA and also look for them on the Competent Persons Register.

Nonsense, this does not guarantee that someone is qualified or competent, there are far too many cowboys registered with these schemes.
Also many of us are qualified and experienced but not registered with those schemes.

 

[Squid]

Also electric cables behind wood boards is a fire risk.

Better remove my wood lathe and plaster walls, under floorboards is that okay?

 

[Pete999]

Is this true? Isn't cable clipped to joists.

In new builds maybe, but rewires no chance.

 

[Octopus]

While chatting to a friend of a friend who is a self employed builder/spark/plumber, he suggested dropping a spur off the lighting circuit in the attic???? Surely that's a big no-no or is it allowed under certain circumstances?

Hum............. jack of all, master of none!