Off the wagon... Need advice

[32sparks]

Morning all. Newbie here but sure I'll keep a finger on the pulse now I've joined the forum.

I was a self employed sparky for about 8 years. I sold all my test gear and packed in 5 years ago to pursue my passion of music... Sadly though, I've fallen off the wagon due to a new house purchase and just bought an old MFT on ebay for peanuts. Not calibrated mind you, but I aren't too bothered.

Anyway waffling done,
As stated above, I've just bought my first house and am looking to have a wonderful festive break of rewiring and replastering the 90yr old beauty of a deathtrap I am going to be calling home for the next few decades. I'm a bit out of the game these days with what's new and fancy and what's the next s*** fad that won't last.

So lads and ladies... I am here simply to ask you (still suffering) sages of the sparky world what is worth spending my money on. It's a 3 bed semi, with garden and a separate garage.

I'm going to be fully rewiring the lot so throw in any suggestions to add to my list.

Thanks in avance

- a reluctantly dragged out of retirement sparky (masquerading as a musician)

 

[Deleted member 9648]

LED lighting...Collingwood, Integral, Aurora are good. Avoid cheap Screwfix etc, false economy. Crabtree starbreaker amd 3 DB with RCBO's. Nothing much has changed in 5 yrs mate. Just avoid cheap stuff same as then, and don't forget the amd 3 requirements for non combustible DB's.
How are you planning register the job with BC?

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

And you absolutely must get your test kit calibrated or your tests will be invalid.

Have fun

 

[Octopus]

RCBO board is a must

 

[Midwest]

Smoke alarms. Specific requirements for the kitchen if you have no current plans, perhaps pull in separate cables for use later. As your rewiring, think about the positioning of the CU.

Echo those thoughts on calibration & compliance

 

[FatAlan]

Don’t forget your network cabling and any other AV hard wire techie stuff you may or may not be into.

 

[Octopus]

2 way switching for hall and landing...

 

[SJD]

If I was rewiring my house, I'd put in cabling for some emergency lighting plus test key switches, since a power cut or two a year has been the norm here.

 

[Octopus]

Fridge and / or freezer on dedicated radials - on MCB's - no RCD protection

 

[32sparks]

Don’t forget your network cabling and any other AV hard wire techie stuff you may or may not be into.

This is more the vein of what I was asking about. What's hot new tech that I won't have heard of?

Thanks for the heads up on the non combustible DBs too. Hadn't read the ammendments yet. I was 17th edition last I worked with no ammendments up to that point. Seems to have mixed reactions from what I've read this morning. What do you guys feel about it? I wouldn't mind myself if I were still working. Can see the problems with wholesalers getting stiffed on stock though.

As a stickler for compliance, I still have many contacts within the industry. All my work will be compliant with regs and certified by a competent person. Yes I will get the mft calibrated. Just amazed that I've managed to get a functional (if not a little dated) tester for the price.

Thanks for all your input so far all.