Thatched wiring - ways to make safer

[Mick-J]

Thanks - I do check for volts before doing ANY amateur electrical work
A related aside.....our electrician does appear quite keen to NOT do any changes, because he would then have to ensure the entire cottage is up to current specs....
.....although he is quite happy for me to change things where needed.

Simple example - he is not keen on sockets with USB built in - they are permanently on, will clearly add a little resistance, and (in his view!) are often cheap items subject to failing. We have three dotted about the cottage - handy for guests to plug into - but he suggested that whilst he might have them at home, he would always discourage them in a holiday cottage. I will probably change them out (anyone strongly disagree with him?).

I wonder how many people perhaps use 2 sparkys - one for the certification, one to actually do work
I type the smiling emoji, but I am semi-serious......

 

[littlespark]

A sparky that does work should always certify whatever they do….. but only the circuits they have worked on.

You can get any sparky to do an EICR, which is a report (not a certificate) on the condition of the electrics of the property, covering as many circuits as you want.

It’s not normal for one spark to do work, then a different one to certify the first ones work.



USB sockets; I used to think they were cheap and nasty… but I’ve fitted one in my own house, plus a number for customers over the last few years and never had a failure.

 

[Mick-J]

Thanks @littlespark
So if you did something on one part of a house, are you NOT liable for ensuring the rest of the property was brought up to current standards?
He was suggesting he would have to

 

[littlespark]

Thanks @littlespark
So if you did something on one part of a house, are you NOT liable for ensuring the rest of the property was brought up to current standards?
He was suggesting he would have to

No.
He only has to ensure that his work is up to current regs….

For example, when RCDs first came into the equation, many electricians added a second mini consumer unit to cover what they were adding or working on, leaving the older fuse board untouched.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I still here it all the time on site that once a sparks touches any part of the old wiring we suddenly become responsible for ALL the wiring in the property

THis is simply not the case

Its like saying a mechanic changes your break pads and is now responsible for the workings of the entire car

 

[pc1966]

USB sockets; I used to think they were cheap and nasty… but I’ve fitted one in my own house, plus a number for customers over the last few years and never had a failure.

You can get cheap & nasty for sure, just look to fleabay, etc. But the better brands of sockets ought to be fine.

I vaguely remember some had switching so isolated if no USP inserted (as opposed to live all the time) but don't remember the brand(s).

 

[nicebutdim]

I vaguely remember some had switching so isolated if no USP inserted (as opposed to live all the time) but don't remember the brand(s).

Think MK produced a shuttered grid unit that isolated when shutter was closed.

Would be great if manufacturers could produce usb outlets that only powered the transformer when plug was inserted.

 

[littlespark]

i bet there are thousands of proper charging adaptors plugged and left switched on across the country. Even the lead plugged in. Just no device on the end.

 

[pc1966]

i bet there are thousands of proper charging adaptors plugged and left switched on across the country. Even the lead plugged in. Just no device on the end.

Indeed they are

Fire brigade, etc, all advise to switch off when unused. Saves a small bit of electricity cost as well, and no doubt makes the device last slightly longer. But that requires folks to think and act.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I admit that I thought they did not draw power if not plugged in, bit of thought now makes me think otherwise, the step down transformer or whatever it is must draw some power. Wonder how much power a shaver socket uses over a year.