House wiring advice question.

[Chris51]

I need to wire in a double light switch in my garage to 2 separate lights from a junction box I shall be connecting from between one of the lighting circuits in the loft space.Can anyone show a diagram?

 

[Realist]

Say that again?

 

[AndyPK]

How are you getting the power from the loft space to the garage......? Is it the loft space in the garage, or what?
(non comprende........)

 

[Richard n Ann]

The modern way is to wire a live, neutral and earth to each ceiling rose then a 2 core with earth down to each switch (or in your case 2 x 2 cores to the doubl switch)
There's a spare terminal in the rose to pair up the live down to the switches.

 

[sweetie]

I think you need to get a qualified and registered electrician to sort that sort of thing now its got a nasty bite if you get it wrong.

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[AndyPK]

.....a ‘Part P’ certified one......as solicitors always want to see certification for alterations to house wiring when you come to sell!!!

 

[Realist]

I think your picking up a live feed from the attic and you need that to feed two lights that run via two way switching if I read the first post correctly.

 

[Richard n Ann]

When I swapped our consumer unit for a modern one, I bought it off ebay second hand but nearly new that way it comes with all the tested stickers

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Lots of potential issues here. First get past the disclaimer on safety that electricity can kill so don't touch if you don't know what you are doing.

Is the light circuit you want to use sufficient on capacity. Lighting circuits are usually only 5A at 240 V. Ok so we have energy efficient bulbs now, but if you had a couple of halogen floodlights things might get toasty.

How is your existing wiring done. Does it use junction boxes, or the more modern ceiling rose system.

what is the age of the wiring? Do your existing circuits have earth (1970s or earlier may be plastic sheathed cables but earth wasn't as common) which would affect the light fittings you can use. What wiring colours red/black harmonised brown/blue. It can be confusing with modern colours on older circuits.

Will it confuse someone to take the feed from lft (1st floor) to ground floor of garage, or would for safety they expect if you isolate ground floor lighting that has isolated the garage.

Part P may not apply - usually anything kitchen, bathroom, or new circuits, even some garden stuff has now been removed, extending circuits / adding sockets didn't need Part P. But, even so you should be certifying the work is safe.

Quick google does show a number of sites with various diagrams but without knowing some of the above it's difficult to point to something that will work.

NB it's a bit confused, as I do believe this is to be done in a building, yet is posted in the motorhome chat section of MHFun.

 

[gus-lopez]

.....a ‘Part P’ certified one......as solicitors always want to see certification for alterations to house wiring when you come to sell!!!

What alterations?

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[Gizmouk]

If you need to ask the question, then you aren't competent to carry out the work.
Assuming easy access, I'd suggest a qualified spark to charge around £200 for that work.

 

[Odd-no-more]

When I swapped our consumer unit for a modern one, I bought it off ebay second hand but nearly new that way it comes with all the tested stickers

But not the certificate

 

[BusyBuilder]

If running a cable to garage it might have to be armoured.

 

[Charlie9038]

You need a Part P 17th edition qualified electrician to carry out that kind of work. And if you haven’t got an up to date mcb distributon board it could get costly.

 

[pappajohn]

If running a cable to garage it might have to be armoured.

Ideally steel wire armoured (SWA) and buried, with warning tape over it, to 18".
Overhead suspended wiring is not a good idea.....not sure these days if it's even permitted.

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[Odd-no-more]

You need a Part P 17th edition qualified electrician to carry out that kind of work. And if you haven’t got an up to date mcb distributon board it could get costly.

They're up to 18th edition now

 

[pappajohn]

I believe there's no legal requirements for wiring in your own home.
BUT Insurers and conveyancing solicitors may require a certificate

 

[9526]

You need a Part P 17th edition qualified electrician to carry out that kind of work. And if you haven’t got an up to date mcb distributon board it could get costly.

Not necessarily, here's what does require certification

"Notifiable jobs include:

• The installation of a new consumer unit or fuse box
• The installation of a complete new circuit – for example a ring or lighting circuit, or a new circuit for a cooker, shower or immersion heater
• Alterations to existing circuits – such as adding an extra power point or lighting point – but only in ‘special locations’. In England, special locations are the spaces around baths and showers. In Wales, special locations include also kitchens and outdoors.

Most repairs, replacements and maintenance jobs, and alterations or additions to existing circuits outside special locations, are not notifiable."

Building Regulations: General information - Electrics - Planning Portal

Details of the planning permission and building regulation regimes for Electrics in England

www.planningportal.co.uk

 

[stevewagner]

You need a Part P 17th edition qualified electrician to carry out that kind of work. And if you haven’t got an up to date mcb distributon board it could get costly.

18th Edition now

 

[Chris51]

I think your picking up a live feed from the attic and you need that to feed two lights that run via two way switching if I read the first post correctly.

Perhaps I didn't explain very well but that's correct..The loft is above the garage where I can break into the lighting circuit and feed a twin light switch below in garage to supply 2 separate lights.

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[mark49]

So if there was nobody here watching or listening? If you mean you want 2 new light fittings fitted in the garage that you can supply from the loft.
from the loft light fitting, take a twin & earth cable down to the garage in to one and then the other. Then take one twin and earth cable from each one to the position that you would be fitting the switch. Then fit the ceiling roses and the switch and then put up picture of the parts and the connections are simple enough to explain. Or then get an electrician in to do the final connections!

 

[hymerman]

Depends what price you value your life or anyone elses' in case you do get it wrong.
Also if it causes a house fire, will your claim be valid?

If you need to ask the question, then you aren't competent to carry out the work.
Assuming easy access, I'd suggest a qualified spark to charge around £200 for that work.

 

[The Wino]

Assuming that you have power sockets then fix up a prewired inspection lamp and plug it in.

 

[cornish boy]

Not necessarily, here's what does require certification

"Notifiable jobs include:

• The installation of a new consumer unit or fuse box
• The installation of a complete new circuit – for example a ring or lighting circuit, or a new circuit for a cooker, shower or immersion heater
• Alterations to existing circuits – such as adding an extra power point or lighting point – but only in ‘special locations’. In England, special locations are the spaces around baths and showers. In Wales, special locations include also kitchens and outdoors.

Most repairs, replacements and maintenance jobs, and alterations or additions to existing circuits outside special locations, are not notifiable."

Building Regulations: General information - Electrics - Planning Portal

Details of the planning permission and building regulation regimes for Electrics in England

www.planningportal.co.uk

It is worth pointing out that the list you have shown contains only the items that need prior notification to Building Control before starting work.
All electrical installation work in your home or garden (I am only referring to England, as Wales and Scotland may be different) must comply with the Building Regulations.

 

[9526]

It is worth pointing out that the list you have shown contains only the items that need prior notification to Building Control before starting work.
All electrical installation work in your home or garden (I am only referring to England, as Wales and Scotland may be different) must comply with the Building Regulations.

Absolutely

But the list also includes items that need to be certified by an approved person.

Other works can be undertaken by anyone, I have just completed a 2 storey extension including extensions to the lighting and ring circuits, the project was subject to BC inspections, but once the BCO was informed there were no items on the above list, he wasn't interested in the electrical works (I have a completion certificate from BCO should I need it for house sale etc)

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[cornish boy]

Absolutely

But the list also includes items that need to be certified by an approved person.

Other works can be undertaken by anyone, I have just completed a 2 storey extension including extensions to the lighting and ring circuits, the project was subject to BC inspections, but once the BCO was informed there were no items on the above list, he wasn't interested in the electrical works (I have a completion certificate from BCO should I need it for house sale etc)

Electrical work within extensions seem to remain dependent upon the BCO; some are interested, others not.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

It's illegal to DIY electrical. You can do it yourself but then it needs, to be approved and certified by a qualified and certified eletrician. Just check on local govt guidelines. If anyone is electrocuted you can be prosecuted..

 

[Realist]

The dome and gloom brigade are correct any alteration/addition needs to be carried out by a part P registered with the local authority and certified, how I know is I’m a qualified electrician but been out of the game for over 20 years.

It’s a easy simple job to do and it depends on a few factors like how the cables are going to be run, lengths etc and what’s currently being run via the circuit you intend to spur off, you don’t want to add additional load hence questions needs answering before any work needs doing.

Be carful bud it is a easy job but it can be a mind field if not carried out correctly.

Regards.

Perhaps I didn't explain very well but that's correct..The loft is above the garage where I can break into the lighting circuit and feed a twin light switch below in garage to supply 2 separate lights.