Splicing ring main to add some stuff

[Octopus]

What is proper test kit?

Multi function tester - one that does continuity, insulation resistance and RCD testing (and other things). They range from about £450 to £1200, plus need to be calibrated annually

Its what competent sparks must have to complete the necessary tests when installing new circuits and changing existing ones ....

 

[exdirectory]

And how many of the DIYers on this forum who are adding sockets, spurs etc., own this kit, or am I on my own here not owning this kit in which case I shall leave very very quietly

 

[exdirectory]

I just realised the word "competent" has some other meaning in this forum

 

[exdirectory]

So coming back on topic, I at least need to run cables for my design, as in about 24 hours various things (like bathroom fitters) will stop me or any qualified person doing anything as floors and ceilings will be back and shortly tiled on.

So let's assume I run cables, do the work and then have someone test it as suggested by MFS originally.

For the right hand FCU leg, i thought this was ok to have a spur from the ring main, of a max 1 per socket?

I could make the others all on the ring main.

 

[Silly Sausage]

I'm not going to question your abilities, but when working on a ring circuit, proving its continuity is quite important. Hence the need for test equipment! Plus, you need to able to interpret the results you get correctly.

Otherwise, it's a piece of the proverbial

 

[exdirectory]

Don't worry, I am listening, I took enough of a beating from all of you , I will find someone to test it, sooner rather than later as will be easy to fix right now.

My problem though is flooring going down so I can't run any other 2.5mm cables after that.

 

[MFS Electrical]

I thought we were on a DIY forum, didn't know I had to be assessed to be competent before I was allowed to do DIY???

not to be pernickety but it’s actually a forum for electricians to help other electricians out. There is a DIY section which we do help out DIYers but the problem is that electricity can be a very dangerous thing there is a reason why it takes 4 years to become a fully qualified electrician and even then we are all still learning. The forum rules forbid step by step instructions to be given out to DIYers. As a rule of thumb we will not give out advice to DIYers who do not seem competent. I personally think that you will be competent to install this setup but that you will need a qualified electrician to inspect and test it. The problem with what you are proposing is you may fine we’ll be able to make this work and probably work well but it does need to be inspected and tested before putting it into service to confirm that it is safe and complies with BS7671. In short if I were in your shoes and i really wanted to do this I’d contact a local fully qualified electrician and discuss this with them they may be willing to inspect and test the circuit. The problems usually arise from such things as no RCD protection, inadequate bonding of your services etc etc which would all have to be put right before an initial verification was completed and a certificate was issued. An electrician isn’t there to simply throw in some wires and Juice it up the circuit design has to be taken into account there are many different parameters which go into even the size of the cable that you must use etc etc etc and without the knowledge and experience of a qualified sparky you could well be introducing a new hazard into your home which wasn’t there before. In short you may actually find it cheaper to get a spark in to install, test and inspect it as to complete an initial verification properly they have to see the full install as in the wires going in the connections being made the cables being clipped the list does just go on and on and on it’s all these things and more which make a circuit safe to use and not just simply work. Electricity is extremely dangerous and should be treated with respect. It only takes one tiny mistake or non-compliance with the regulations to turn a perfectly good installation into a potential death trap. So please do not take the comments in the wrong way the reason we ask questions like these and give the advice we give is for your own safety. We have nothing to gain from it at all so we aren’t going to be telling fibs trying to sell unnecessary services or parts to you.

 

[MFS Electrical]

So coming back on topic, I at least need to run cables for my design, as in about 24 hours various things (like bathroom fitters) will stop me or any qualified person doing anything as floors and ceilings will be back and shortly tiled on.

So let's assume I run cables, do the work and then have someone test it as suggested by MFS originally.

For the right hand FCU leg, i thought this was ok to have a spur from the ring main, of a max 1 per socket?

I could make the others all on the ring main.

The problem with that would be that the person you get to test it will have to see the entire installation ie the cable runs etc... see above post.

 

[MFS Electrical]

@exdirectory i have a question it’s a serious question and I’m not looking for a fight in just trying to gauge the public opinion be as honest as you can.
Why did you employ bathroom fitters/plumbers/tilers and not an electrician?
Was it like a lack of thought ie not thinking a spark would be needed for a bathroom or was it the thought that electrical work is easy enough or that electricians cost too much as I said I’m not looking to pick or instigate a fight I’d just like to know the thought process behind it

 

[exdirectory]

Original bathroom design did not have heated floor and heating element, got added at last minute. So up until then it was redirecting a shaver plug and adding a mirror light to the lighting circuit, which I decided to do to keep spiralling costs down.