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

 

[Pete999]

Both tipsy I expect.

Speak for yourself Dave I've quit drinking Alcohol, now where's me beer?

 

[gazdkw82]

He does the same thing

 

[Squid]

Got a link?

http://cpc.farnell.com/mk/641whi/5a-fused-round-pin-plug/dp/PL01928

 

[Pete999]

http://cpc.farnell.com/mk/641whi/5a-fused-round-pin-plug/dp/PL01928

Thanks Mate, looked at that myself, got to admit, I can't recall ever using them it was all round pin 5 A for standard lamps etc when I was in Domestic, thanks for the link anyway

 

[GeorgeCooke]

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]

Oh dear. Though I'm not a fan of sockets on lighting circuits, if you had one the 6 amp MCB supplying the circuit would be all that is needed. TVs are internally fused. As TVs are sold in other countries that don't use fused plugs how can manufactures stipulate that one is used here? Do you think they sell inferior sets especially for the UK? Anyway manufacturers instructions are guidance only and don't have to be followed, especially if they are wrong.

 

[static zap]

Do you think they sell inferior sets especially for the UK?

Attitudes toward death and compensation vary by country .
Wire feeding TV set needs to be as substantial as that in the lighting circuit !
(It will easily become the the weakest link with wear -Hence plug fuse)

 

[Squid]

Thanks Mate, looked at that myself, got to admit, I can't recall ever using them it was all round pin 5 A for standard lamps etc when I was in Domestic, thanks for the link anyway

I never knew they existed either as the only round pin sockets and plugs that I ever saw used where for switched table lamps from the switch bank as you entered the room.

Times have changed it will all soon be voice activated.

 

[Toneyz]

Is there no other internal walls with sockets that a cable could drop down to or socket from RFC in loft.

 

[Strima]

20 years ago my nan was still plugging her iron into the living room light fitting.

TBH modern TVs don’t draw that much power, with wall mounted units the sockets are normally hidden behind the unit which is only taken down when it dies. For me a well positioned socket for a TV on a wall would not be an issue if it was run from the lighting circuit. However when extension leads are plugged in and the DVD, Sky/Virgin boxes and other bits are plugged in then how far do we go?

 

[Pete E]

Locating the socket behind the TV set on the wall should make the job a bit easier as it could be fished down behind the plaster board without needing to worry about any cross studding, but still would not be happy to run it off the lighting circuit.

There is a redundant feed for a now non existent immersion heater in an airing cupboard, so that is one possibility...

When I am ready to get the work done I will call a spark in to get an informed opinion about other possible alternatives....

 

[static zap]

There is a redundant feed for a now non existent immersion heater in an airing cupboard, so that is one possibility...

When I am ready to get the work done I will call a spark in to get an informed opinion about other possible alternatives....

Well spoted !
( get spark to check it out )

 

[Pete E]

Another quick question...When I get this done, what paperwork would a legit Spark leave me re testing and inspection?

 

[Pete E]

Well spoted !
( get spark to check it out )

Not even sure there is a cable still inside the trunking or whether it was recovered when the hot water tank was removed...If it is there, and providing its not been cut off at the CU, it would certainly make the job a lot easier...

 

[static zap]

Swings and roundabout's sounds better than ,squeezing spare current from lighting circuit.
(asuming now have - CFL / Led lights available -so less demand)

 

[Squid]

20 years ago my nan was still plugging her iron into the living room light fitting.

That takes me back to my child hood as you had an adapter plugged it so the iron and light worked at the sam time.