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

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Of course, a lot depends on where you want the new socket.
It could be that the easiest thing to do is channel a horizontal chase from an existing socket to where you want the new socket.
Or it might be that there is an existing socket the other side of the wall that you could spur from.

 

[Pete E]

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.

I think that discussion would warrant thread on its own..Its also why before having any tradesman in to do any work, I like to have some knowledge of the area concerned so I can make informed decisions...

 

[Pete E]

Don't risk this cowboy, get a qualified sparky to do the job. Peace of mind & your home insurance.

I agree...plus why pay for a cowboy when I can bodge with the best of them and for free!

 

[Pete E]

Of course, a lot depends on where you want the new socket.
It could be that the easiest thing to do is channel a horizontal chase from an existing socket to where you want the new socket.
Or it might be that there is an existing socket the other side of the wall that you could spur from.

No sockets on the other side of the wall as it backs onto the stair well and it would be a long run to chase it out it horizontally with a doorway to take into consideration...

No, unless an electrician can come up with a fiendishly devilish idea, I suspect the floor boards will need to come up...As I said earlier, its not urgent, so it can wait until the decorating is due...

 

[Pete999]

Have you actually spoken to an Electrician, who would be able to came and give you an informed opinion and a quotation for what you require, rather than the dipstick who told you to spur of the lighting circuit.?

 

[Pete E]

Have you actually spoken to an Electrician, who would be able to came and give you an informed opinion and a quotation for what you require, rather than the dipstick who told you to spur of the lighting circuit.?

Truthfully, no, just the chap mentioned and I was just taken aback by his suggestion...On reflection, I really don't believe he is anymore qualified than I am, and is probably just somebody who think that they "knows a bit"...

Once I am ready for the work I will get out a couple of people for quotes and see if their suggestions seem reasonable.

 

[Toneyz]

Have you actually spoken to an Electrician, who would be able to cOme and give you an informed opinion and a quotation for what you require, rather than the dipstick who told you to spur of the lighting circuit.?

I think you are being too polite there Pete, dipsticks are useful.

 

[Des 56]

Ah right thanks, I can recall fitting that type of thing back when Jesus played in goal for Bethlehem.

You certainly know your football Pete

He was worshipped by the fans then and now

Didn't he crack his head on the goalpost during a Friday night cup match against the Italians?

Out cold he was,legend says they revived him 3 days later on the Monday,he rose up, said a few choice words and was never heard from again

 

[ipf]

You certainly know your football Pete

He was worshipped by the fans then and now

Didn't he crack his head on the goalpost during a Friday night cup match against the Italians?

Out cold he was,legend says they revived him 3 days later on the Monday,he rose up, said a few choice words and was never heard from again

Don't forget The World class Save...

 

[Des 56]

Don't forget The World class Save...

Also word as it he could be making a comeback anytime soon

 

[Pete999]

Never really though my off the cuff remark, would draw out some more humor.

 

[KEV 1 N]

dipsticks are useful.

Yes, many Audi cars have two dipsticks

 

[PEG]

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.

...Beat me to it...
Harold Shipman had current GMC licence

 

[digger123]

No, unless an electrician can come up with a fiendishly devilish idea, I suspect the floor boards will need to come up...As I said earlier, its not urgent, so it can wait until the decorating is due...[/QUOTE]
Obviously I don't know your situation, but I have to disagree with a lot of these comments, I think some are very unfair to the 'dipstick' who just mentioned a possible solution. While not common practice there is no reason a spur could not be took off your lighting circuit, is it a stud wall by any chance? if so drop down to drywall box, the socket is going to be behind the tv is it not, ( would this be a wall mounted tv maybe high level? ) the socket could be protected by a FCU or you could even have a 5 amp socket fitted. No reason your Mrs cant have a TV in a certain place in the room with minimal disruption.

 

[dksanders]

No, unless an electrician can come up with a fiendishly devilish idea, I suspect the floor boards will need to come up...As I said earlier, its not urgent, so it can wait until the decorating is due...

Obviously I don't know your situation, but I have to disagree with a lot of these comments, I think some are very unfair to the 'dipstick' who just mentioned a possible solution. While not common practice there is no reason a spur could not be took off your lighting circuit, is it a stud wall by any chance? if so drop down to drywall box, the socket is going to be behind the tv is it not, ( would this be a wall mounted tv maybe high level? ) the socket could be protected by a FCU or you could even have a 5 amp socket fitted. No reason your Mrs cant have a TV in a certain place in the room with minimal disruption.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, thought this was the Electricians forum, not the cowboys forum. If you spured to a 5A socket, how are you going to fuse the TV that is then going to be plugged into it as 5A plugs do not have fuse carriers; the TV manufacturers instructions will also say on the TV lead "this appliance must be protected by a 'X'A fuse" how would that comply? The socket could be protected by a FCU but even if it was labeled to say e.g. 'Max 3A fuse' there is no way to ensure that a larger e.g. 13A fuse would not be fitted later on as this socket would be used by 'ordinary' persons as opposed to being operated by 'skilled or instructed' or 'supervised' persons.

 

[Brian Angell]

2 dipsticks!

 

[Squid]

2 dipsticks!

Next it'll be four candles.

 

[David M]

Obviously I don't know your situation, but I have to disagree with a lot of these comments, I think some are very unfair to the 'dipstick' who just mentioned a possible solution. While not common practice there is no reason a spur could not be took off your lighting circuit, is it a stud wall by any chance? if so drop down to drywall box, the socket is going to be behind the tv is it not, ( would this be a wall mounted tv maybe high level? ) the socket could be protected by a FCU or you could even have a 5 amp socket fitted. No reason your Mrs cant have a TV in a certain place in the room with minimal disruption.

Sorry, thought this was the Electricians forum, not the cowboys forum. If you spured to a 5A socket, how are you going to fuse the TV that is then going to be plugged into it as 5A plugs do not have fuse carriers; the TV manufacturers instructions will also say on the TV lead "this appliance must be protected by a 'X'A fuse" how would that comply? The socket could be protected by a FCU but even if it was labeled to say e.g. 'Max 3A fuse' there is no way to ensure that a larger e.g. 13A fuse would not be fitted later on as this socket would be used by 'ordinary' persons as opposed to being operated by 'skilled or instructed' or 'supervised' persons.[/QUOTE]

Though I agree it's not generally good practice to spur off the lighting in this way I have seen it done in the past. Especially so in the loft where there might have been a light plugged in or a TV amp. Depending on the situation the socket may never be used for anything else other than supply for a TV, so not likely to overload the circuit and cause nuisance tripping.
My advice to the op, as always, get a qualified spark who can assess the situation and make professional recommendations.

 

[westward10]

MK produce 5A fused plugs.

 

[Pete999]

MK produce 5A fused plugs.

Got a link?

 

[westward10]

No good with links but the MK part No is 641 WHI.

 

[Pete999]

No good with links but the MK part No is 641 WHI.

Deleted?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Got a link?

Why would you need a link?
Doesn’t everyone know that MK produce 5A and even 2A round pin plugs?

 

[Spoon]

Doesn’t everyone know that MK produce 5A and even 2A round pin plugs?

I don't.... but I do now.

 

[Pete999]

Why would you need a link?
Doesn’t everyone know that MK produce 5A and even 2A round pin plugs?

West stated Fused 5A plug, just curious that's all. By the way I did know that MK produce those plugs just couldn't recall a 5Amp fused plug is that OK?