Hi all! Old(ish) spark looking to go it alone but unsure where to start?

[pc1966]

The wholesaler my mate works at have a rule of not offering any advice other than suggesting alternatives to something they have been asked for to avoid any comebacks on them
After being told by my mate what is happening I've had it confirmed by a couple of other wholesalers they get similar requests for advice on how to do jobs from supposedly qualified "electricians"

I would expect to see that at B&Q or Screwfix, etc, less so at the wholesale outlets.

The ones I deal with are quite good at letting you know if there are new or related products around, also sometimes on ones to avoid due to high returns (a few of the guys working there are ex-sparks I think), but I am sure they would draw a similar line about offering advice and actually doing it!

 

[nicebutdim]

I would expect to see that at B&Q or Screwfix, etc, less so at the wholesale outlets.

This one issue is that makes me avoid Screwfix where possible. Standing behind someone asking inane questions about item after item, in the vain hope of receiving expert advice. Does this happen in Argos or other catalogue stores (if any exist)?

Screwfix decided to change my account to Electricfix a while back and I recently did use that counter to avoid a store full of people. Felt bad jumping the queue after years of patiently waiting, but not so bad that I won't happily do it again

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

The wholesaler my mate works at have a rule of not offering any advice other than suggesting alternatives to something they have been asked for to avoid any comebacks on them
After being told by my mate what is happening I've had it confirmed by a couple of other wholesalers they get similar requests for advice on how to do jobs from supposedly qualified "electricians"

I've heard this a couple of times and I'll only chime in if I know for certain that the information given is incorrect. Although the person asking the question may not be qualified to do the job, who am I to question it? After all, it's their client that didn't have the forethought to properly vet the electrician they've ordered to do the work.

It is worrying though when you overhear conversations like this. You see it on site too quite often. Electrician hidden away in a room watching a YouTube video on how to do the task he/she have been given.
Nothing wrong with that of course, I've done it myself to "freshen up".

 

[Mike Johnson]

Queued behind a chap in TLC a few year back who was ordering lots of T&E, as he completed his purchase he just happened to mention he was taking it to France to re-wire the holiday home he had just bought, I saved him from a very expensive mistake.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

Queued behind a chap in TLC a few year back who was ordering lots of T&E, as he completed his purchase he just happened to mention he was taking it to France to re-wire the holiday home he had just bought, I saved him from a very expensive mistake.

Is T&E not generally used in France?

 

[nicebutdim]

Is T&E not generally used in France?

You haven't just bought a load to rewire your holiday home?

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

You haven't just bought a load to rewire your holiday home?

For a bright spark I ain't so bright...

 

[Mike Johnson]

Is T&E not generally used in France?

Nope, all conductors must be of equal c/c double insulated and in conduit, can be flexible conduit, lots of other differences as well.

 

[nicebutdim]

Nope, all conductors must be of equal c/c double insulated and in conduit, can be flexible conduit, lots of other differences as well.

Could Irish T&E be used, with equal CSA for all conductors and insulated CPC?

 

[Mike Johnson]

I suppose it could, but it would have to be in conduit, the French are strict on the free air space inside a conduit that must be left, this would mean going up a size in conduit, adding to the expense, the regulations do not cater for Irish T&E so the tables in the regulations can't be used, so I think possibly not.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

Nope, all conductors must be of equal c/c double insulated and in conduit, can be flexible conduit, lots of other differences as well.

Wow! That's really interesting! I'll have to look into this.
Thanks for the info!

 

[pc1966]

Wow! That's really interesting! I'll have to look into this.
Thanks for the info!

If you look at other country's rules you often see quite different approaches.

Some better than UK, some worse. But usually as a combined set they make sense, worst cases is when someone applies country X practices in an installation in country Y and something serious is missing due to that. Also next person to have to deal with the Frankenstein setup goes WTF?!

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

If you look at other country's rules you often see quite different approaches.

Some better than UK, some worse. But usually as a combined set they make sense, worst cases is when someone applies country X practices in an installation in country Y and something serious is missing due to that. Also next person to have to deal with the Frankenstein setup goes WTF?!

I have relatives in a America so I've seen their lash-ups and I totally agree with the flexi-con within the walls for wiring.
I try to adopt it where possible for my installs. It just adds that added bit of security for the cables for enthusiastic homeowners with hammers and nails....

 

[Mike Johnson]

Wow! That's really interesting! I'll have to look into this.
Thanks for the info!

If you really want to know about French electrical installations you can't go far wrong with this book: L'installation électrique - D.Fedullo, T.Gallauziaux - 6ème édition - Librairie Eyrolles - https://www.eyrolles.com/BTP/Livre/l-installation-electrique-9782212674941/ Waffles a bit, but the electrical circuits are accurate i.e dual MCB's in at the top and out at the bottom, no more that eight MCB's to any RCD, no more that twelve sockets on a 2.5 radial and eight on a 1.5 radial, no ring mains, individual radial for most white goods, bathroom extract, min six sockets above a worktop in the kitchen, you get the picture how different it can be.

 

[captaincaveman]

This one issue is that makes me avoid Screwfix where possible. Standing behind someone asking inane questions about item after item, in the vain hope of receiving expert advice. Does this happen in Argos or other catalogue stores (if any exist)?

Screwfix decided to change my account to Electricfix a while back and I recently did use that counter to avoid a store full of people. Felt bad jumping the queue after years of patiently waiting, but not so bad that I won't happily do it again

The best I recollect was a DIYer in Screwfix asking for a light bulb. The expression on his face when the counter guy asked what type...