DOMESTIC INSTALLER BARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

[seza]

Hi and happy new year to all,

Apologies if this has been asked before,

I have been around electrics all my life in a DIY capacity, learnt from competent electricians over the years,
Now I hope to gain the required qualification, my question to you is simply ...
What are the bare minimum steps I need to take to achieve that quickly and cheaply?

Many thanks.

 

[oracle]

If you think standards are low here, try New Zealand for size. Officially there are a number of Electrical regulations, but one of my sons went to live there and this is what happened .

He bought a house and renovated it, rewiring completely with absolutely no training or experience, using a cheap multimeter to test and fault find.

A government appointed electrical inspector came to inspect the property. He spent a total of twenty minutes on site and all he did was look at the DNO fuse then checked the TT earth electrode connection for tightness.

He signed off the work and left after a cup of coffee. Unbelievable but true!

 

[Toneyz]

This week I've replaced a ceiling light fitting, a socket and a light switch and no cert was issued and none will be issued.

This is maintenance rather than installation where one does not need to be issued however there is nothing wrong with a minor works certificate. I assume you did a loop test to check all is safe before replacement.

 

[DPG]

This week I've replaced a ceiling light fitting, a socket and a light switch and no cert was issued and none will be issued.

Not needed for like for like replacement. No problem.

 

[peterhyper]

This is maintenance rather than installation where one does not need to be issued however there is nothing wrong with a minor works certificate. I assume you did a loop test to check all is safe before replacement.

A minor works cert for changing a plastic light switch, a double insulated light fitting and replacing a plastic double socket absolutely no way. A loop test yes.

 

[Toneyz]

A minor works cert for changing a plastic light switch, a double insulated light fitting and replacing a plastic double socket absolutely no way. A loop test yes.

Then don't as I posted there is nothing requiring you to do so but if you felt you wanted to cover yourself there is nothing stopping you.

 

[martinwinlow]

Nothing 'high horse' about it. The OP stated he wanted the cheapest and quickest way in.

Actually, no he didn't. What he *did* state was "I have been around electrics all my life in a DIY capacity, learnt from competent electricians over the years,
Now I hope to gain the required qualification, my question to you is simply ...
What are the bare minimum steps I need to take to achieve that quickly and cheaply?"

So, nothing about doing work for the general public - maybe he just wants to do a bit of advanced DIY or a straight-forward self-build? Maybe, he lives somewhere where getting a qualified electrician to even arrive is difficult and very expensive (like where *I* live - an island off the west coast of Scotland that's 2.5 hours away from anywhere significant on a ferry that doesn't arrive on the 3 days a week it's supposed to if the weather is the least bit dodgy!) and so, not unreasonably, wants to be able to do electrical work himself, legally!

Have you even considered the possibility that he may have engineering qualifications that far outclass yours in terms of ability and technical theory and/or more experience in electrics than 90% of the 'qualified' electricians out there?

Anyway, judging by some of the work I have seen done by so-called 'experts', being a 'properly qualified' electrician isn't that much to shout about... now confirmed by the sensible, mature responses to the OP's original question.

 

[GMES]

This week I've replaced a ceiling light fitting, a socket and a light switch and no cert was issued and none will be issued.

Surely you did a Mwc
What happens if something goes wrong and you end up in court, I don't think the judge will just take your word for it that you tested it before you left, they will want proof , which would be a certificate.

 

[Pete999]

Surely you did a Mwc
What happens if something goes wrong and you end up in court, I don't think the judge will just take your word for it that you tested it before you left, they will want proof , which would be a certificate.

Absolutely.

 

[Pete999]

Absolutely.

Nothing like covering one's behind is there?

 

[DPG]

Actually, no he didn't. What he *did* state was "I have been around electrics all my life in a DIY capacity, learnt from competent electricians over the years,
Now I hope to gain the required qualification, my question to you is simply ...
What are the bare minimum steps I need to take to achieve that quickly and cheaply?"

So, nothing about doing work for the general public - maybe he just wants to do a bit of advanced DIY or a straight-forward self-build? Maybe, he lives somewhere where getting a qualified electrician to even arrive is difficult and very expensive (like where *I* live - an island off the west coast of Scotland that's 2.5 hours away from anywhere significant on a ferry that doesn't arrive on the 3 days a week it's supposed to if the weather is the least bit dodgy!) and so, not unreasonably, wants to be able to do electrical work himself, legally!

Have you even considered the possibility that he may have engineering qualifications that far outclass yours in terms of ability and technical theory and/or more experience in electrics than 90% of the 'qualified' electricians out there?

Anyway, judging by some of the work I have seen done by so-called 'experts', being a 'properly qualified' electrician isn't that much to shout about... now confirmed by the sensible, mature responses to the OP's original question.

So, yes, get off your high-horses and wind your bally necks in whilst you are at it!

You might be right. I still don't get a good feeling from that original post though!

 

[GMES]

That's all it's about Pete, I'm not suggesting the job wasn't done correctly but if anything did go wrong at later date he's covered with a certificate full of test results.

 

[Pete999]

That's all it's about Pete, I'm not suggesting the job wasn't done correctly but if anything did go wrong at later date he's covered with a certificate full of test results.

No neither was I, but like you say a MNW cert is the right move, that way you are covered for any mishaps, should they occur. It seems a logical progression, I mean what does completing a MNW cert cost you? nothing in reality, just foolish not to imo.

 

[peterhyper]

There is no requirement to issue a MWC for replacing a plastic light switch, so how on earth would I end up in court?

Hard to believe as it might seem but an electrical certificate doesn't prove something has been done properly/safely.

I have lost count of how many times I have come across certificated work that is a waste of paper. I recently came across a cert issued for a consumer unit change and there was no cpc in either light circuit, not possible that a cpc existed when the circuits were tested because it was the old twin cable with no cpc. The spark replaced the consumer unit and did the testing of the 3 bed house in a morning according to the house owner (this isn't isolated). No way could I replace the C/u and do a proper test of 8 circuits in morning.

Again I've lost count of how often I come across work such as c/u replacements, new circuits and additions to circuits that is badly done with no certs.

The likelyhood of me ending up in court for replacing a plastic light switch and not issuing a MWC is zero.

 

[GMES]

There is no requirement to issue a MWC for replacing a plastic light switch, so how on earth would I end up in court?

Hard to believe as it might seem but an electrical certificate doesn't prove something has been done properly/safely.

I have lost count of how many times I have come across certificated work that is a waste of paper. I recently came across a cert issued for a consumer unit change and there was no cpc in either light circuit, not possible that a cpc existed when the circuits were tested because it was the old twin cable with no cpc. The spark replaced the consumer unit and did the testing of the 3 bed house in a morning according to the house owner (this isn't isolated). No way could I replace the C/u and do a proper test of 8 circuits in morning.

Again I've lost count of how often I come across work such as c/u replacements, new circuits and additions to circuits that is badly done with no certs.

The likelyhood of me ending up in court for replacing a plastic light switch and not issuing a MWC is zero.

Firstly I did stipulate you've done nothing wrong
2nd I didn't say you were going to end up in court
3rd
I thought it was a socket and light fitting as well as the switch.
All I am saying is for the cost of a Mwc and the minute or two to type it up it would be a no brainer for me.
I totally agree that some people fabricate certificates, I presume you don't though so it would be a genuine certificate wouldn't it.
I'm just pointing out that it would have been as easy to create a cert as Not.

 

[Ian1981]

When I did the maintenance side of things for contracts in social housing we used a basic copy of the model form of the minor works certificate.
On it was an extent of the work covered ie replacement of an accessory and an agreed limitation that a zs test was taken at only the replacement accessory and a comments section where you’d basically state any non compliance’s such as no rcd protection to sockets as an example.
A column for any rcd tests where applicable and circuit details , adequacy of bonding etc.
The limitation was already recorded on the certificate as standard.
I say a certificate, basically it was just for proof of appropriate inspection and testing as a way of compliance and covering ones behind.