Questions tagged [uk]
Questions specific to DIY projects in the United Kingdom. Use with any relevant project tags (i.e. [electrical])
125
questions
1
vote
1answer
63 views
Can somebody help me understand this door chime wiring?
I have this inside an old door chime which seems redundant. (UK)
I plan to decommission this door chime, but would like to understand the wiring first. Particularly if it is connected to the mains ...
0
votes
2answers
43 views
Changing light fixture with red/black UK wiring using only black wires
I am planning to change a ceiling light fixture in my 1980s-built home in the UK.
I had a look at the box and was surprised to see 3 red wires nutted (?) together and 3 black wires feeding the light. ...
1
vote
5answers
86 views
How could I attach a face plate to a broken Appleby dry lining box?
An electrician has installed a dry lining box for a cat6 network terminal. These boxes are supposed to have a metal insert inside each of the yellow parts, which accepts the type of screw that is ...
0
votes
2answers
65 views
Is my dimmable LED tape compatible with any 12V/2A driver?
I bought a fairly cheap LED tape kit that comes with a driver and dimmer. The dimmer is a small inline module that sits between the driver and the LED tape.
The driver has 12V/2A output and is ...
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Specific tiling for washing machine closet?
I am planing to install a washing machine in a closet. There is currently a fitted carpet in this ca. 2 m² closet.
To avert consequences a plausible leak/overflow, I want to replace the fitted carpet ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
Consumer unit location
I can understand the supplier fuse and meter being in a communal area of a block of flats but was there anything in the UK wiring regs in the 1970s that would explain why the consumer unit is also ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Replacing a light switch with a smart switch
I'm trying to replace my existing light switch (in my new build home in the UK) with a Innens smart WiFi switch (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RK5F8HC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jNHbEbVEDEEF6 ). My ...
0
votes
3answers
43 views
Electric Boiler System won't get warm
I moved into a new rented property about 3 weeks ago in the UK. I put on the heat, which is water-filled radiators supplied by an Electric Boiler, a Range Senator 6W, and a medium-sized water cylinder....
9
votes
3answers
711 views
Are “terminal block” style junction boxes allowed in the US?
In the UK it seems pretty common to see junction boxes with built-in screw terminals that are used only for splicing wires from 2 or more cables together.
Typical example:
(source)
Sample wiring ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
Do future electrical works invalidate a satisfactory EICR?
I recently got a domestic EICR done for rental purposes. Certificate shows Satisfactory Result.
I am about to commission the fitting of a new light which will require wiring into the fuse board. ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Part P required? Changing Fixed Oven wiring to 13A FCU (UK)
I can't work out whether or not the following needs an electrician who can provide a Part P certificate under the 2005 Building Regulations (either by installing or approving).
I've got a 32A ...
3
votes
2answers
164 views
Getting mild electric shocks from tap water if washing machine is switched on
My washing machine is placed in my kitchen and whenever it is switched on and working (washing), I get very mild “tingles” from the kitchen's tap water.
I'm in the UK, and I've checked that the wall ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
Why do I have multiple connections on a single common connection?
I'm in the process of trying to add a smart relays to my light switches across the house.
In most cases I've managed fine and I understand how the circuit works, to me that is critical before I make ...
2
votes
0answers
95 views
Euro modules, is there an actual standard for them? or are they just a de-facto thing?
In the UK over the last decade or so a system of modules and faceplaces known as "Euro modules" seems to have taken off. Modules and faceplates are available from a wide-range of vendors. A regular "...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
RCCB trips and causes sockets to lose power, but lights, etc. don't lose power
Several times in the last month, we have experienced small power surges that cause the circuit breakers to trip. Most of the time this has been the "sockets" circuit breaker, however 15 minutes ago ...
0
votes
2answers
83 views
What heating system do I have, and what can I do about water pressure in my shower?
New homeowner (UK based) and getting to grips with all that comes with that. I previously only lived in a flat with a standard combi boiler, my new home seems to have an older system in place ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
What does the Bearing Plate in a Worcester boiler do?
Recently our Worcester Greenstar boiler became unable to start.
The solution turned out to be that the plastic flaps on the bearing plate had degraded and fallen apart, so the plumber simply removed ...
1
vote
2answers
109 views
Help me understand this power strip installation
I moved into a flat which has the following electrical setup in the kitchen:
Regular looking 4-socket power strip
Combi boiler plugged into power strip
Washing machine plugged into power strip
Front ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
Can I safely remove/reattach the back of a fitted wardrobe?
I've recently gotten a new flat, and the second room has fitted wardrobes along one wall (e.g second picture). I would like to put a TV and playstation in one of these as I don't need the storage ...
0
votes
0answers
41 views
Leaking waste pipe connector
I live in a semi-detached house in the UK (built in 1946). Until recently, one of the the upstairs bathroom's walls was the outside wall of the house (the side wall). The toilet is connected to an ...
0
votes
2answers
117 views
Can an electrician with 16th edition rules do work in anybody's home?
I did an elim course taking city and guilds for the 16th edition electrical installation and maintenance. Can I still do work in people's houses without having to give certificates the types of work?
...
0
votes
2answers
96 views
Electrical Appliance Killing Extension Leads
I've got a circular saw that has been responsible for damaging a total of three extension leads. Not in the typical sharp bit cutting the cable you may have expected.
I've had the saw for a year and ...
1
vote
4answers
140 views
Will a hammer drill also fix screws?
I’ve just purchased my first home and have many improvements to make but seem to have way too many useless tools cluttering the garage and as they are outdated I’m looking to replace them for a multi ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Wiring a ceiling pendant UK wiring
I've done this before, but maybe because I'm replacing a ceiling fan with a pendant light the wiring is different.
I have 3 brown wires, with one live
1 Earth (No neutral wire.)
This is the end of ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
What are the requirements for fire doors in homes?
A family member is having some major remodeling planned on an end-terraced house. The builder's plans apparently are calling for fire doors on essentially every interior doorway - bathrooms, bedrooms, ...
0
votes
2answers
47 views
Are there requirements for periodic inspection of your consumer unit? (UK)
The house I am in has the sticker I pasted below on the consumer unit.
It "recommends" an inspection 3 years after the prior one. Is this a requirement? Even if it is not required, is it actually a ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
UK regulations concerning external staircases
We're looking to buy a house which has a newly-built external triple garage, which has an external staircase to a storeroom above the garage.
Our plan is to turn this storeroom into an office.
What ...
1
vote
0answers
68 views
Dishwasher chassis outputting an AC voltage
I've recently noticed that touching the metal interior of my dishwasher gives me a slight tingling. I put that (stupidly) to static electricity.
For "fun" I then decided to touch a finger on the ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Splicing or Extending 2.5mm2 Twin & Earth (UK)
I am trying to install a WiFi connected smart switch to control a ceiling light. The wall box is too shallow to accommodate this, so I need to install it inline.
To do this, I need to move the circuit ...
30
votes
3answers
9k views
Why am I getting an electric shock from the water in my hot tub?
I have noticed that when I touch the water of my Hot Tub when I am grounded (barefoot standing outside of tub) I am getting a very small electric shock.
Using a multimeter it is reading 2Vac between ...
1
vote
2answers
145 views
Replace door knob with lever handle on rim latch door
I have 1950s solid wood internal doors with rim latches. I want to replace the door knobs with lever handles. The doors are 33mm thick, with narrow (95mm) rails, and have rim latches.
I've been ...
0
votes
3answers
91 views
What do I make of this wiring?
I am trying to replace a toilet pull cord switch.
Wiring seems unusual in the sense that there are:
2x brown wires
1x brown wire that is live and by itself
1x yellow/green earth
no blue wires
...
17
votes
5answers
4k views
What should I be aware of in buying second-hand sinks and toilets?
I am planning an extension to my house, including a new ensuite bathroom and a downstairs WC. To save money and embedded energy I'm thinking of buying secondhand basins and toilets. There seem to be ...
1
vote
2answers
64 views
What is the first step in fitting a switch to existing wiring?
Below is an image of cables previously connected to a double light switch at a building in the UK. The occupant wanted to know why there was an additional white cable and how to go about fitting a new ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Downlight density (spacing)
Im in the process of rennovating my house, and Im at the point of re-doing lighting on the ground floor.
Im looking at putting downlights in, removing the existing clusters of bulbs.
The thing that ...
1
vote
1answer
201 views
Keston C36 Combi boiler - Error E37
According to the boiler manual
E37 Water pressure error - You must top up the water pressure for your system
When opening the fill loop valve to add water pressure, water flows out the exhaust ...
24
votes
4answers
10k views
While drilling into kitchen wall, hit a wire - any advice?
While fixing the extractor hood yesterday, I accidently hit a wire when drilling and exposed the copper. The wires are too tight to get some kind of a box in there and putting an electrical tape may ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Is it safe/allowed to adapt a shaver socket (BS4573) to a standard BS1363 plug (UK)?
Bathrooms in the UK may have a shaver socket that is (to my understanding) limited to supplying 200mA, is protected by an isolation transformer and uses a two pronged plug similiar but not identical ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
Connecting a shaver socket
I would like to install a shaver socket in my bathroom and the closest power supply is the bathroom light switch. Instead of lifting all of the loft insulation to find the lighting junction box, is ...
14
votes
2answers
6k views
Are USB sockets on wall outlets live all the time, even when the switch is off?
I got a USB wall socket fitted. When it was installed, I tested the USB port with a tester with the switches off, but the USB outlet was live. Is this normal?
1
vote
2answers
52 views
Can I leave an unused conductor when running wire for an extractor fan?
Whilst wiring a new extractor fan, I’ve ran out of twin and earth but I have some left over three core and earth from the lighting (1mm^2). The fan doesn't have an over-run and only requires 2+e. It ...
2
votes
1answer
688 views
Switches in other bedrooms turning on different lights after I put new light up
I recently put up a light in my bedroom but the switches in other rooms now turn on different lights, there are 9 wires altogether coming through the ceiling, 3 earth which are connected together, 3 ...
3
votes
1answer
318 views
Repair Drywall after electrical work
We've had some electrical work done which has resulted in a number of holes in drywall about 8cm in length by 2cm in height similar to below:
I was intending on making small cuts of plasterboard but ...
2
votes
2answers
176 views
Old Style Fuse Box
I'm in the UK and in the process of buying my first house (early 1900's victorian terrace). I paid for a home buyers report which came back with some areas for improvement, one being the fuse box. The ...
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Do doors with overlapping swings violate building regulations in the UK?
I am buying a new build property in Salisbury, UK and the cloakroom door swing overlaps the kitchen door swing, so if someone is coming out of the cloakroom at the same time as someone coming out of ...
0
votes
2answers
177 views
How to safely cap a wire coming from a wall
I'm in the UK. I have taken two electric radiators off the wall, one behind where my fridge goes, and one behind a set of shelves. Each radiator has a standard (live/neutral/earth) wire coming out of ...
0
votes
1answer
93 views
What is this object on my exterior wall?
This object is attached to the exterior wall of my three-year-old, estate built house. It sits immediately above the patio doors and internally, on the same wall, there is a black cable protruding ...
1
vote
2answers
119 views
Fused switches…where do they go?
As I know some systems and terminology are different worldwide, I will start off the post by saying I live in the UK.
There are a number of fused switches in my flat. Some of them I know what they ...
0
votes
1answer
173 views
DIY copper lamp earthing
I'm planning on building a copper pipe based lamp along the lines of this: https://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Pipe-Table-Lamp/
I currently have a lamp holder terminal of this brand: https://s-...
1
vote
2answers
152 views
What sort of lock do I need?
Would anybody know what sort of lock do I need based on this pictures? I'll dissemble it if that's impossible, but I wanted to avoid having to do the work twice and just buy the replacement.
I'm ...
