Help! Simple install has gone bad.

[gentz]

Hi ,

I was asked to do a couple of simple fixes in an old house (light not working, replace another light with a chandelier and similar. It is an old installation (red+black mostly, push-button MCBs etc) I needed to replace a rose and T off another lighting circuit to fix a light in the loft using a junction box (and make ready for a smoke alarm. All the bits I did are working fine but much of the rest of the house lighting is now dead and I'm out of ideas on how to fix it. I checked and re-checked everything I touched and all seems fine. Also looked around for any obvious areas that might have been disturbed. The client is very understanding but obviously, needs a fix. I am fairly new at all this (I only accept smaller jobs) but this is now going over my head. I have advertised here for a more experienced electrician I could work with (I can provide at least some regular work) but no answers yet. Now I need one immediately. Anyone willing to look at this? This is paid work. Please email if you are interested. Central London.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Rockingit]

You make a lot of unwarranted assumptions and guesses. I am qualified but new. I have asked here and anywhere else I can for assistance in getting the experience I know I need for the last 3 months with no answers. I take only jobs I think I can handle. Got any useful suggestions? Some others here have and I am deeply grateful to them.

Gentz, firstly I genuinely hope that you've managed to either get this resolved for your customer, or now have a plan. Secondly, I commend you for coming on here with the guts to basically say "look guys, hold up my hands, I've cocked up, help!!" It is to be expected that you'll take a bit of flak.

It's also to be commended that you openly admit to needing to get the hands on experience, preferably under another sparky, to take what you've learnt in a classroom out into the real world. And yes, I think we all of us who are self employed also know that bills don't get paid by fresh air and that if an opportunity comes along then you're inclined to take it.

What is a shame is that clearly no-one with that experience is willing to pass it on. This might be because other domestic sparkys just think that you'll nick their work, or they don't have time or something else, I don't know. I get around half a dozen posted CV's out to me every month from people looking for work, many of whom are either kids in college looking for experience or 'mates' looking to go up the ladder. And some get a go from me, some don't.

On the basis that sometimes anything is better than nothing, try asking around your local wholesalers if there is anyone looking for work as an 'experienced' mate, or an old-timer in part-retirement. And be honest with them about where you're at - trust me, they'll know anyway! And most importantly, Rome wasn't built in a day, take the tiny steps first and learn from the falls. Don't oversell yourself and be prepared to spend far more time to work out problems on site than you'll be billing the customer for.

Tip - if it's a call-out to do with lights, make sure you book the appointment for first thing in the morning (and not on a Saturday) - that way you've got 8 hrs before the customer needs to use them again!!

And if you're Part P'd, the scheme help lines are there for a reason - use them.

 

[D Skelton]

I had a similar problem to this when I first started out. Basically, the customer wanted downlights in two rooms upstairs, this meant removing three ceiling roses and rerouting the existing feed cables. After the install only one of the bedroom lights (the first one on the upstairs lighting radial) the one that I hadn't touched was working. I was sure I had wired everything correctly! I was meant to finish about midday but ended up staying there till about 6 o'clock that evening figuring out what was up. After all that it turned out that I had wired everything correctly however the feed cable going from the first light in the circuit to the JB for the first set of downlights had developed an internal break at some point and just needed replacing. My thoughts, in response to the OP, check the actual cables! Being old means they could be brittle and develop faults within themselves. I'm guessing it's a very rare occurrence but it shouldn't be ruled out!

 

[gentz]

Telectrix,
Many thank for the advice...agree all of it. Ultimately this is pretty simple (it is all relative. I am a systems/network programmer is real life). Once I grasp the simplicity, I can claim some understanding.

 

[mattmoo1974]

I was the king of pinching the nips to hard when stripping the insulation, Terminate it into a JB etc few hours/days later it snaps..
I always do the tug test now before i leave!!

 

[gooner1984]

Telectrix,
Many thank for the advice...agree all of it. Ultimately this is pretty simple (it is all relative. I am a systems/network programmer is real life). Once I grasp the simplicity, I can claim some understanding.

gentz.

to be honest im a bit miffed,
ive posted on here 2 or 3 times sent you a pm offering my help. now dont get me wrong i really not bothered but i think it deserve a post or something to acknowledge me weather its to say thanks or no thanks or what ever, iv ask you where you are in london- nothing ive ask you in a pm would you like me to help you nothing in another post i said im 19miles and willing to help you out again nothing, im busy as it is. but was still willing to take a couple of hours to help and show you. and when people was on your case yet a couple of lads myself included are trying to help you out at lest you can do is acknowledge us :banghead:

 

[gentz]

Gooner 1984 Sorry for confusion. I answered your PM and provided my email to respond to. Yes .. interested. I'll try sending another PM. If you don't see this in a few min try sending me another.

 

[Big n Daft]

You make a lot of unwarranted assumptions and guesses. I am qualified but new. I have asked here and anywhere else I can for assistance in getting the experience I know I need for the last 3 months with no answers. I take only jobs I think I can handle. Got any useful suggestions? Some others here have and I am deeply grateful to them.

Simple go and work for a reputable sparks or do a deal with one before you take any more work on yourself and kill someone. Yes it is catch 22 but do what all good sparks have done, learn your trade before selling you services as one.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

You make a lot of unwarranted assumptions and guesses. I am qualified but new. I have asked here and anywhere else I can for assistance in getting the experience I know I need for the last 3 months with no answers. I take only jobs I think I can handle. Got any useful suggestions? Some others here have and I am deeply grateful to them.

Yep I have...you mention an old house but how old`s the install? Have you checked to make sure you have a CPC present on this lighting circuit?...The last time i went into a fancy lighting shop all the chandeliers looked like class 1s to me......

 

[gentz]

OK, strangely, I think we are in agreement. And, I think I said that already. Can we leave it there? I am grateful for the effort.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

OK, strangely, I think we are in agreement. And, I think I said that already. Can we leave it there? I am grateful for the effort.

Just a point mate.....ask about to see if you can go around with an experienced sparks as an improver and follow his/her guidance on how to install and fault find to industry standards. Get yourself some books (GN3 on site guide BS7671) if you dont have these already and get into them as the answers lie within. What you like at glanding armoureds etc? as these are common....I think you need guidance from somebody with experience...somebody on here has already offered to help you...and i do hope you take his offer.....

 

[aaelectric]

Give us a call 02077315062

 

[gentz]

Glennspark

All good advice. I have these books and do refer but books are one thing and live probs another. One of the members here has kindly offered to help and I think this is going to turn out OK. Thanks to all for your time and advice. It is much appreciated and I hope, in time, to be able to return the favors.

 

[midgetman]

Yes at least you had the sense to ask for help when you knew you had reached your limitations!

 

[njbromilow]

give us a call if you want im in Central London tomorrow so could have a look nick 07860 163937

 

[gentz]

Nick
Thanks for the response. I have found a way to do this now. Much appreciate you effort.
Paul