Question for certificated Electricians please.

Question

Under new Electrician rules..... Can we (an ordinary householder) change our own shower pull cord unit?

In the past hubby would have just gone ahead and done it.

Is he allowed to do it now? Can we change like-for-like?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Once upon a time an electrician served his/her time, went to college one day a week and eventually became an electrician.  Nowadays one goes to college, fail the theory, scrape the practical and become an electrician.

Recognising there was a problem, the government introduced part P, which required that electricians working outside and in kitchens and bathrooms needed to be "part P qualified", the same technical colleges producing electricians now produce "part P qualified electricians".  Note that technical college lecturers get paid less than school teachers and electricians.

The government department that replaced John Prescott's department has a website, which states that if  you do not have a part P qualification and carry out electrical work, you may be liable to "sanctions!"  The sanctions are, as far as I can make out, if you kill someone you will go to prison for manslaughter, if you cause injury the injured party will have a claim against you for damages.  In effect nothing has changed, except if you cannot do the work yourself, god help you, because neither the government nor the education system is going to!

Answer 2

Part P of the building regulations makes BS7671:2008(17th Edition Wiring Regulations) a statutory document in the domestic enviroment. So unless he is competant to do so, Sorry no not legally, but if he knows what he's doing. I'll turn a blind eye.  

Answer 3

It will become obvious what a mad country we live in....

If the pull cord is in the bathroom you would be breaking the law (civil) to replace the pullcord, as the bathroom is classified as a 'special location'. If the pullcord is outside the bathroom , ie in the hall, you would be allowed! Realistically the only potential to be caught is if you sell the house soon and the buyers surveyor notices a new pull switch and asked for the associated paperwork, and then chooses to report you,all very unlikely!

Answer 4

Legally any electrical alterations (in your own home or not) need to be carried out with a qualified electrician to level 3 standard.  

Answer 5

Replacing things like broken sockets and so forth doesn't count as work (despite what electricians with a vested interest try to tell you) - running a new circuit for example would. So provided hubby or you know what you are about - which means turning off the electric at the fuseboard before you start work, you should be OK.

Answer 6

This work comes under maintenance. Changing like for like your hubby can do as long as he's competant, its not breaking the law.

It doesn't come under part "P" building regs. as suggested?

Part "P" is for kitchen/bathroom fitters not proper electricians! thats the goverment for you.

NICEIC Q.S. 17th edition qualified with over 40years in the trade

Answer 7

If you are confident that he can do it safely - during and after the swap - who is going to know?

Answer 8

Copied from uk HSE website

Can I do my own electrical work?

You can do your own electrical work if you are competent to do so.

So yes your hubby can do electrical work in your house as long as he is competent to do so.