Help needed re-wiring my garage

[Gary Holmes]

hi
The electrics in my garage are a complete mess. So I've taken everything out and started to renew everything . I have installed a garage consumer unit . I have managed to install the armoured cable .
I am now stuck at lights . I have taken a feed from the cu to a fluorescent light and a feed to another fluorescent light . And a feed from the first fluorescent light to a switch . I am unsure of the wiring from the first light to the switch . Do I just follow the live neutral earth feed all the way through ? Thanks

 

[telectrix]

you are using the "loop at the light" method.you need a 4 terminal connector instead of that 3 terminal. the Lin, Lout and L to switch will go in the 4th termial which has no connection to the fitting. no doubt, Richard Burns will supply a diagram for you when he's on line.

 

[Gary Holmes]

Gotcha . So the live from the switch into fourth terminal along with the live from the second light ? Or the live from the cu ?

 

[Darkwood]

Welcome to the forum Gary, I have changed you assigned status to DIY, this will help our members tailor their advice to your level of experience.

 

[Deleted member 93172]

Are you from Newhaven east sussex?

 

[telectrix]

Are you from Newhaven east sussex?

not unless stockton-on-tees has moved to sussex.

 

[telectrix]

done you a quick sketch. used red/black for clarity, and omitted the cpc's (earths) for same reason.

 

[Deleted member 93172]

not unless stockton-on-tees has moved to sussex.

sorry did not read the profile, I just jumped straight in.

 

[Gary Holmes]

Welcome to the forum Gary, I have changed you assigned status to DIY, this will help our members tailor their advice to your level of experience.

thanks

done you a quick sketch. used red/black for clarity, and omitted the cpc's (earths) for same reason.

Awesome . Sorted .

 

[Midwest]

Not wishing to be a kill joy, but notice the metal clad switch is missing a blind grommet or gland. Bit concerned about the level of experience you seem to have for the consumer unit and armoured cable you've installed?

 

[Gary Holmes]

Not wishing to be a kill joy, but notice the metal clad switch is missing a blind grommet or gland. Bit concerned about the level of experience you seem to have for the consumer unit and armoured cable you've installed?

Yes I've got that to put on. I'll also put up pics of the cu with gland fitted.

 

[sparksburnout]

This thread reminds me of that Muddy waters song, Boom Boom Boom Boom........

 

[Gary Holmes]

This thread reminds me of that Muddy waters song, Boom Boom Boom Boom........

Came for advice
Not taking the ----

 

[sparksburnout]

Came for advice
Not taking the ****

Well the advice would be get a sparky in then.

 

[telectrix]

OP, you'll always get a bit of banter on a forum. this one is mild compared with some. just ignore it. and bear in mind that sparksburnout comes from notts., where they've only recently stopped wearing green and living in sherwood forest.

 

[Gary Holmes]

Well the advice would be get a sparky in then.

Nah I'll manage
After years fighting for my country for the likes of you I'd rather try myself with proper advice . No boom boom boom yet
And what have you done for your country
Fitted a few plugs ?

 

[Gary Holmes]

Well the advice would be get a sparky in then.

Nah I'll manage
After years fighting for my country for the likes of you I'd rather try myself with proper advice . No boom boom boom yet
And what have you done for your country
Fitted a few plugs ?

 

[Gary Holmes]

Well the advice would be get a sparky in then.

Nah I'll manage
After years fighting for my country for the likes of you I'd rather try myself with proper advice . No boom boom boom yet
And what have you done for your country
Fitted a few plugs ?

 

[HandySparks]

Yes I've got that to put on. I'll also put up pics of the cu with gland fitted.

This illustrates quite well the difference between a typical DIY job and one done by a professional. The electrician would have glands and grommets in stock and would have automatically put a grommet or gland in before wiring. Maybe even have brought the cable in through the side or bottom of the enclosure to avoid contravening the rule about IP4X sealing to the top surface of an electrical enclosure.

Most DIYers don't have the depth of knowledge to do the job in accordance with the regs, although a rare few will have a copy of the regs and have spent the time to research and understand them, especially if already in an engineering profession.

 

[Midwest]

OP, think all some of us are saying is carrying out an electrical installation, requires knowledge, expertise and some necessary equipment. Some 'electricians' have posted on this forum and don't always get it right, I include myself here. For someone like yourself, who doesn't appear to have the necessary training and expertise, may be a danger to himself and family.
Installing the odd light is one thing, consumer unit, armoured cables is another. Just because it works, doesn't mean its safe.

 

[sparksburnout]

Nah I'll manage
After years fighting for my country for the likes of you I'd rather try myself with proper advice . No boom boom boom yet
And what have you done for your country
Fitted a few plugs ?

I think you are rather letting yourself down with such comments. It is quite obvious that you have very little experience and should entrust the work you are attempting to people who know what they are doing, this is a matter of you and OTHER PEOPLES safety you are playing around with. If you think being an electrician is just fitting a few plugs then there is not much further to be said really.

 

[sparksburnout]

OP, you'll always get a bit of banter on a forum. this one is mild compared with some. just ignore it. and bear in mind that sparksburnout comes from notts., where they've only recently stopped wearing green and living in sherwood forest.

Eh up youth! i've just got myself a nice new green fleece from Sneinton market and I'm going to centre parks in some nice little ouse for a couple o days next week in it.
And I'm going in me ode car not wi a free bus pass an-all

 

[Wilko]

Hi Gary - have you thought about testing, certification and your Local Building Control? Just as if you were to build an extension on your house, the new CU you've put in and the associated new ccts probably need a building approval. If you did get a registered Spark involved you would do the installation as an instructed person and they could supervise, test and get approval for you. And in case you feel in doubt - I thank you for your service. Regards, David.

 

[westward10]

I knew where this was leading so have been just watching the Posts. This isn't a criticism of the op but shows how weak the implementation of Part P has been.

 

[Gary Holmes]

Ok to get back to getting some advice
The following pics are the electrics In The shed. Which I have taken out . Which I did not install they came with the shed .as you can see they are a total state .
I have put the cable into a new cu (with gland )
Will take pics tomorrow . Then hopefully I will get some correct advice . As I'm sure you will agree from the pictures that it is in a shocking state .

 

[sparksburnout]

I knew where this was leading so have been just watching the Posts. This isn't a criticism of the op but shows how weak the implementation of Part P has been.

You have lost me Westie whats part P got to do with it? The OP's profile doesn't say "part P" (whatever that might be) it says "none" in the quals column.

 

[Midwest]

Least the sheds metal clad socket had a gland for the cable! Sorry couldn't resist that
PS is the pull cord in the privy, i.e. looking at the chain

 

[westward10]

You have lost me Westie whats part P got to do with it? The OP's profile doesn't say "part P" (whatever that might be) it says "none" in the quals column.

You don't think this is notifiable Works? The intention of the farcical Part P was to stop electrical works by not suitably qualified persons.

 

[sparksburnout]

You don't think this is notifiable Works? The intention of the farcical Part P was to stop electrical works by not suitably qualified persons.

Yes obviously it's notifiable. Part P is not suggesting the OP in question is capable or legally allowed to undertake this work though is it? Like I said, the simple solution is to for the OP to stop messing about and get an electrician in to do the work.

 

[Midwest]

Yes obviously it's notifiable. Part P is not suggesting the OP in question is capable or legally allowed to undertake this work though is it? Like I said, the simple solution is to for the OP to stop messing about and get an electrician in to do the work.

Think there's a double negative in there

 

[westward10]

My entire point was the farce which Part P is, why you said "what's it got to do with part p" I have no idea. Yes I saw your earlier Post which is quite correct.

 

[sparksburnout]

My entire point was the farce which Part P is, why you said "what's it got to do with part p" I have no idea. Yes I saw your earlier Post which is quite correct.

No me neither its getting late. I was missing your point which was obviously strengthening my view that the OP should not be mucking about with it in the first place. Also a bit worried about that chain..

 

[sparksburnout]

Think there's a double negative in there

Yes its this bl**dy home brew.

 

[Midwest]

I stopped posting after getting tipsy at night a while back, it can get you into trouble;

 

[sparksburnout]

I stopped posting after getting tipsy at night a while back, it can get you into trouble;

Well, its his own fault. She looks just as grotty in the wedding picture, apart from the fly on her chin. Talk about things you shouldn't be mucking about with.......

 

[sedgy34]

Well the advice would be get a sparky in then.

He doesn't need one, that's why he's on here.

Just sayin.....

 

[Andyrc]

I thought this forum was for trained / experienced sparks ? Been a away for a few years.Are you letting DIY'ers in now?

 

[Richard Burns]

I thought this forum was for trained / experienced sparks ? Been a away for a few years.Are you letting DIY'ers in now?

All electrical level questions are permitted on the forum, it is up to members whether they wish to respond.
In some cases the poster may be undertaking dangerous work and in that case the post should be reported.
In many cases the work is of a minor nature and it is better to let someone know how it should be done as they are going to do it anyway and at least it should be as safe as possible, without testing or competence.
If someone is ignoring safety advice that is given correctly then it is best to just refrain from posting.

 

[Midwest]

There is a DIY section, perhaps something like this should be in there. Then as an 'competent electrician', if you don't feel inclined, you wouldn't venture into that section.

I do take Westwards point. 'Part P' was introduced making it 'a legal requirement for all work on fixed electrical installations in dwellings and associated buildings to comply with relevant standards (IET).
Without training, knowledge, expertise and appropriate equipment, I can't see how anyone can comply with these standards.

Not wishing to have a go at our OP, but asking such a simple question, brings into question his abilities to safely carry out such work. There's a fine line between what constitutes helping people, to putting them jeopardy. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Just my opinion.

 

[Gary Holmes]

This is the cu I have fitted . With gland

 

[Gary Holmes]

This is the cu I have fitted . With gland

View attachment 33949

Just to add a sparky will be coming to go over it all once I've installed it . So no power will be switched on at any point until it is checked .

 

[Midwest]

Hi Gary, brave of you to post back. So hats off to you there. Firstly,is the CU made of metal and is your garage attached to your house?

 

[Midwest]

There will be a couple of other questions to follow.

 

[Gary Holmes]

Hi Gary, brave of you to post back. So hats off to you there. Firstly,is the CU made of metal and is your garage attached to your house?

Yes the cu is metal and cable attached to the house which it always has been . See attached pic of how it looked .

 

[Gary Holmes]

Hi Gary, brave of you to post back. So hats off to you there. Firstly,is the CU made of metal and is your garage attached to your house?

Yes the cu is metal and cable attached to the house which it always has been . See attached pic of how it looked .

 

[Gary Holmes]

Hi Gary, brave of you to post back. So hats off to you there. Firstly,is the CU made of metal and is your garage attached to your house?

Yes the cu is metal and cable attached to the house which it always has been . See attached pic of how it looked .
The garage is not attached to the house

 

[Gary Holmes]

Yes the cu is metal and cable attached to the house which it always has been . See attached pic of how it looked .
The garage is not attached to the house

This is what I want wiring up . I am competent enough to do it I just want to make sure all wiring is correct

 

[Midwest]

I think before proceeding any further, a previous point was made that the installation of a consumer unit is notifiable to the lbc, do you know how you are going to do this?

 

[Gary Holmes]

I think before proceeding any further, a previous point was made that the installation of a consumer unit is notifiable to the lbc, do you know how you are going to do this?

This is how it previously looked
If I need to notify anyone I will
But it is a previous installation that was done by someone and I'm just renewing it

 

[Midwest]

If you research Part P, you will find that the installation of a consumer unit requires notification to the local building control (LBC).
This can be done in one of two ways;
By an electrician enrolled in a government approved scheme, who will notify via said scheme.
Or by prior arrangement with the LBC, who will arrange inspection and testing of the installation, which normally attracts a fee, my LBC charges £400+vat.
Do you know which route you will follow?