Who can change a socket?

[JamesUK]

Hello

Can someone give me clarity on who can change a wall power socket? I assuming I can change my own without qualification but can I change a friends?

Is the only requirement to do it in accordance with the building regulations?

James

 

[trev]

It's a like for like change mate. Do it issue a minor works cert and jobs a goodun

 

[telectrix]

if replacing like for like e.g. a socket front or light switch, without alteration to the circuit, anyone can do it. be sure to isolate the supply before starting.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Yes you can replace existing fittings and accessories, even in special locations, without having to notify.

 

[robsparky1975]

If it is a replacement for a broken/faulty socket,then there is no law stopping anybody from changing it,no matter if your house or your friends.Its what is classed as maintenance.

 

[JamesBrownLive]

It's a like for like change mate. Do it issue a minor works cert and jobs a goodun

Do you not think a MEIWC is a bit overkill for a simple 'like for like' change?

Tin Hat on :army:

 

[trev]

No Mr Brown I do not mate. I know I'm in a minority of one here but my way keeps my bottom covered just in case.
Have you and I not had this conversation once or twice already

 

[CrazyScozzese]

Changing a wall socket, to what, another one or a flux capacitor?

Been caught out like that before.

 

[JamesBrownLive]

No Mr Brown I do not mate. I know I'm in a minority of one here but my way keeps my bottom covered just in case.
Have you and I not had this conversation once or twice already

Hi Trev,
I'm not aware of having this conversation with you before?? Maybe you're mistaking me for some other handsome devil :devil: or maybe my Alzheimers is setting in faster than I had thought :mad2:

However, whilst I understand where you are coming from, I don't see how you can justify to a customer the extra time involved, and thereby expense, that the requisite tests that issuing a MEIWC requires. I would think that the cost difference to a customer between simply doing a like for like change and doing a one and being able to legitimately issue a cert, would be at least double.

Just how I feel, but no doubt others will feel differently.

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I don't see, that you could justify replacing an accessory without conducting the basic tests to prove continuity of conductors, and that disconnection time and IR were satisfactory.

 

[trev]

Hi Trev,
I'm not aware of having this conversation with you before?? Maybe you're mistaking me for some other handsome devil :devil: or maybe my Alzheimers is setting in faster than I had thought :mad2:

However, whilst I understand where you are coming from, I don't see how you can justify to a customer the extra time involved, and thereby expense, that the requisite tests that issuing a MEIWC requires. I would think that the cost difference to a customer between simply doing a like for like change and doing a one and being able to legitimately issue a cert, would be at least double.

Just how I feel, but no doubt others will feel differently.

Cheers

Come on, you have to do the tests anyway so why not spend an extra 5 minutes filling out a minor works? It makes you look a bit more professional and if it ever went in front of a bloke in a gown and a wig it covers your bottom.
Win win imho

 

[JamesBrownLive]

The regs say a MEIWC may be used for the replacement of of equipment such as accessories or luminaires, not that it must be used and that inspection and testing must be appropriate to the work undertaken.

Obviously, if a like for like replacement is done because of an obvious fault, it would be judicious to proceed differently than if the change was merely cosmetic.

Cheers

 

[trev]

Ok so your customer wants a change from white plastic sockets and switches to nice shiny chrome ones, you bowl up turn off the juice and start to change things. When finished at each outlet you bolt them back.
Before you re energise you're going to test to make sure IR is still ok and polarity is still right. Then just to make sure you have an earth at each point , you're going to take Ze
See where I'm going here? and please don't think I'm being a sanctimonious ----er here because that is not my intention.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

The regs say a MEIWC may be used for the replacement of of equipment such as accessories or luminaires, not that it must be used and that inspection and testing must be appropriate to the work undertaken.

Obviously, if a like for like replacement is done because of an obvious fault, it would be judicious to proceed differently than if the change was merely cosmetic.

Cheers

Are you sure that you have the correct context?
Could it be that an MWEIC may be used rather than an EIC.

 

[D80]

Just out of curiosity...

When asked to change a broken socket for a new one, what do you do if there is no main equipotential bonding in place? And no 30ma RCD protection for said socket outlet, clearly possible for use outdoors and clearly embedded in wall less than 50mm?

 

[JamesBrownLive]

Ok so your customer wants a change from white plastic sockets and switches to nice shiny chrome ones, you bowl up turn off the juice and start to change things. When finished at each outlet you bolt them back.
Before you re energise you're going to test to make sure IR is still ok and polarity is still right. Then just to make sure you have an earth at each point , you're going to take Ze
See where I'm going here? and please don't think I'm being a sanctimonious ----er here because that is not my intention.

I certainly don't think that, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and you are certainly not alone in your views...

http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...rum/33124-testing-after-like-like-change.html

I guess I'm just thinking that on certain jobs the extra work required could really add to the cost the customer is going to end up paying, and prehaps with 'like for like' replacements more than any other jobs, it is often difficult to convince the customer that you are simply doing the correct thing and not just trying to inflate the job and rip them off. I am however, starting to come around to your way of thinking :yesnod: Maybe I should only worry about those extra difficult jobs when they actually happen, not before I've even got there.

Cheers

 

[JamesBrownLive]

Are you sure that you have the correct context?
Could it be that an MWEIC may be used rather than an EIC.

I guess it comes down to semantics, and the fact they use the word 'may' instead of 'should'. However, I've been wrong in the past and I'm sure it won't be the last time LOL

 

[JamesBrownLive]

Just out of curiosity...

When asked to change a broken socket for a new one, what do you do if there is no main equipotential bonding in place? And no 30ma RCD protection for said socket outlet, clearly possible for use outdoors and clearly embedded in wall less than 50mm?

Well I would say you are required to ensure bonding is in place, but that the non-rcd issue is not one which I need to worry about.

Alterations and additions in domestic and similar premises : Electrical Safety Council

Specifically, Q8

Cheers

 

[shocking_eg]

jeezze, the time you've all argued about the regulations and certs you could have changed the socket and no one would have known any different ! lol

 

[telectrix]

yes, but the sodket's got to want to change.

 

[CrazyScozzese]

Only today: just change it, It has been working for years, I will say I did it...

Heard that before?

2 hours getting a new circuit in because there was no way to use the old one. (twisted earths, if any, mixed CSA, maxed out diversity, godknows what else) .

 

[gibbyisking]

if your testing one circuit as you would be for a minor works cert it doesnt really take that long 1 hour max.

 

[Heisenberg]

if your testing one circuit as you would be for a minor works cert it doesnt really take that long 1 hour max.

In an ideal world and with no complications, sure , but I've been to some places where getting satisfactory access to the CU would take an hour on its own, never mind doing anything else.
I'm certainly not advocating not to do any testing, just don't think it is always as cut and dry as some would have you believe.

 

[telectrix]

know what you mean. last week found a wylex with 3036 rewireables under the kitchen sink. this was how it had been installed as new build , 1970's.

 

[Guest111]

hey telectrix wasn,t on ashton rd was it? I had one last year same location under a sink.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

The worlds full of bloody paperwork....cert for changing a like for like accessory is overkill IMO. There was a time when a professional electrician was deemed competant to carry out such a simple job in a safe manner,he wasnt expected to provide a bit of paper to prove it.
If I change a socket like for like I will check earthing,bonding if possible and carry out a Zs test to verify polarity and disconnection times....nothing else,and if the customer wants a bit of paper because they dont trust my experience,they can bloody well pay for it.


EDIT....been thinking about it and going to rant now.
A while back did a CU change and EICR on a rented house. 2 certs issued. Month or so later was asked back to install a shower....duplicate EIC issued to cover shower install. Then got asked back again to install 2 sockets and an outside light...3 different circuits so 3 MW certs.
Thats 6 certs on one house in the space of a couple of months


As a qualified electrician why cant I be deemed competant to carry out alterations to an existing install without an avalanche of paper?.....As a qualified electrician surely I can be trusted to leave any work I carry out in a safe condition?...if I'm not qualified or competant I'm going to jackanory the cert anyway.
Is anyone else sick to death of spending half their working time ticking boxes and sending off mountains of forms to people who dont understand and probably bin them anyway?
rant over.....got to get to the office and fill in the certs for yesterdays jobs now.:banghead:

 

[Guest111]

Yes Wirepuller couldn,t agree more like the part p crap nobody went round checking all the fittings in every house to make sure nothing was added without a cert did they?doesn,t stop the diy brigade making a mess,in fact when all this was coming out part p,colour change etc one chap even went out and bought cable in the old red and black as he said he could do his own wiring and nobody would know when it was done as the colours would all be the same!I,ve given up doing domestic work now as there is to much hassle with it,that and diy,ers trying to tell you your job.