Sometimes doing electrical work yourself can seem like a good idea. However, most of the time it’s not that simple. There are many regulations and dangers you should be aware of before taking up any electrical repairs. For example, do you know what kind of electrical work you’re allowed to do by yourself?
It may be a good idea to do all steps of electrical work by yourself but don’t forget, it is electricity! Most of the time electrical DIY projects are not as easy as it seems. There are so many kinds of laws and regulations you should know before starting any project or electrical repairs. But there are some electrical works you’re allowed to do by yourself we talk about further in this article.
If you are here because:
- You want to do some electrical repairs in your house;
- You are wondering what types of electrical work you can do all by yourself;
- Want to know what your responsibilities are in regards to electrical work,
Then keep reading this article to find out more.
Electrical works may seem simple to do. Sure you think it is just a lightbulb changing. But it is not just the task. It is more about precaution and attention to important safety measures. If you do electrical work carelessly without any consideration it might end up endangering your life. So we are gathered some informative content to help you what kind of electrical work is okay to be handled by you as an unprofessional, normal person.
Let’s talk more about electrical safety
If you are a homeowner, you probably try to fix your property issues before asking other people to do it instead and because of it, you think electrical works is the same as other previous issues. Every electrical work follows some basic safety instructions that are necessary to ensure they are completely considered during the electrical works. We summarize some of these steps for you to follow:
- Always shut off the power before starting anything: Whenever you want to change a light bulb or want to make sure the circuit is on or off, make sure the main power supply is shut down. It happens in a second if you don’t really notice the electrical safety. If you have to use a power tool in a place you want to repair use the battery-powered ones instead of using a plug extending from the main power supply.
- Test your supply power: Even after shutting off the main power, you should make sure that there is no electricity surging through the room. For this purpose, you can switch on some lights or appliances to see if it works or not.
- Invest in an RCD: residual current device or an RCD for short is a device that cuts off the power in event of an electrical faulty circuit. Residual current devices are typically installed in the fuse boxes. Older buildings that have conventional fuse boxes usually don’t have RCD with themselves, But the modern building most of the time has RCD’s. They cut the faulty circuit before it makes any problem in the fuse box. This also prevents fire hazards and damages to your appliances in the house.
- Use a cable detector to detect faulty circuits: In some cases, when you are doing a house renovation or house rewiring project, you may some practical mistakes such as screwing in the wrong wall or hitting an electrical cable. These mistakes may lead you to a very dangerous situation. So before starting electrical works, make sure to use a cable detector and locate all of your cables behind the walls you wanted to work on. By using a cable detector, you are definitely saving yourself from any further electrical accident.
- Inspect and repair old equipment regularly: All of the electrical devices and power tools have a plug and a lead. Most of the time these two parts get damaged. Checking appliances regularly can reduce the danger of old devices and also prevent you from further expenses. If you notice any signs of damage such as frayed wires, repair them before any kind of usage.
- Ask for help from an experienced electrician. Everyone can get confused in electrical projects, it’s not your job, of course, there’s something that only came with experience in this field. If you are not sure about what are you trying to do, stop risking your life and try to fix it. Instead of struggling with an electrical issue, call an experienced electrician with relevant qualifications and ask for advice!
What is Part P regulation and what you should know about it?
So many of our clients ask us about part p regulation. In the UK there is a regulation as guidance on electrical safety. According to this regulation or instruction, your home must meet all types of regulations to keep you and those who enter your house in safety. We said anyone who enters the house, it is exactly like the sentences, it means if you invite guests in your house and they got injured by the result of any electrical issues in your house which is not compliant with the part p regulations, you can be prosecuted legally.
All electrical works you can do it by yourself
If you’re still confused to decide whether you need an electrician to help you in electrical works or can you do it all by yourself. Think more about the safety measures and regulations in electrical works. However, some tasks are non-notifiable you can do them by yourself. According to the approved document P, some work is notifiable and needs to be done by a certified electrician:
- Installation of a new circuit in your house
- Replacement of a consumer unit or replacing a fuse box with a consumer unit
- Add or remove an existing circuit in special locations (special locations means wet areas such as kitchen and bathroom.)
All other work in your house that is related to electricity is considered non-notifiable. This term means you won’t need to give a deposit full plans or notify the local authority. Changing a socket or changing a lightbulb are the things you can do by yourself. These kinds of tasks are don’t require any kind of supervision. Other electrical tasks need to be inspected by an expert in electrical works. If you have a problem finding the best electrician services London, you can rely on our experienced electrician in electric works London.