Electrical outlets
 

Hi Guys, I am replacing electrical sockets, I have power to the socket but nothing I plug in works, Please advise. Thank you Peter.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Hi and :welcome:

You say you have power to the socket, is that because the old one was working?

Don't discount the possibility of the new socket being faulty. If it is a switched type toggle the switch a few times. Sometimes a bit of dirt can prevent the contacts making even in a new part. It's surprising how 230v can be held off by the tiniest bit of muck.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

I would really really advise consulting an electrician. Your whole statement worries me.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Thank you good advice, I will check with an Electrician

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Did you isolate the mains by flipping off the circuit breaker before starting work. And flipped it back on afterwards?

It may sound daft, but I've seen seasoned electricians fail to put the power back on.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Thank you everyone I really appreciate your input, yes I did turn the power off, and yes I turned it back on ha ha. I did try flicking the new switches on and off several times too.. Good point. I have decided I need a professional to look at it. I do however appreciate you all for your suggestions. Thank you Peter.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

On another note, someone may be able to shed further light but IIRC without a certified electrician, you've voided any home insurance and you'll never have the appropriate certificates to show the property and electrics are safe regarding said insurance and causes a few problems should you also choose to leave the property. A certified Electrician will have to re-do every socket you've done for you to receive the proper documents.

http://www.independent.co.uk/propert...n-8548135.html

So as a homeowner you're entitled to do as you please so long as you accept the likelihood that your insurance is now void and should you ever sell up or rent the property they'll all need re-doing by a professional.

If you're a private tenant or council rented then you probably shouldn't be touching a thing.

You're doing the right thing, just let them get on with it and you'll be up to scratch and everything in order.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

I saw a (hungover) electrician scratching his head. Hours later he came back to the task and realised he hadn't stripped the wires back!

Re: Electrical outlets
 

I'd have thought the easiest way around that problem is to pay for a electrical test when the work is done and/or when you come to sell/rent the property. Plenty of electrical companies have junior/trainee staff run/chase cables, fit sockets etc then simply have a fully qualified tradesman check the installation, connect it up and sign it off with the correct certification. Regardless of what electrical work has been done in the past and by whom, it's still historic evidence and in many cases an up to date report would be a good idea anyway.

I don't think any work done by the homeowner has to be 'redone by a qualified electrician' but it needs to be checked and any faults found rectifiedby someone qualified before it could be certified satisfactory.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Not sure if that's law or company policy, I think it's the latter. I'm sure some independents will happily do it but it seems reputable companies will want to re-do the work before giving you a thing. Naturally they get paid but it's understandable too. Independents would probably give you more leeway.

The former seems to fall in line with this:So if you can get someone willing to check it out and sign off on it then you're good to go. I would actually assume people with the intention of leasing out would do this anyway regardless of who carried out work if any. Not quite sure what they would define competent person under though. Just ticking off that you're not 'Bob the builder'

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Thanks guys good solid advice.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Getting someone to check it anyway, you've ultimately went down the right route, it might have been something daft, it could be something else, being unsure it's the right route to go. The most I ever did was way back now, I lived with my Grandmother, I changed a few light fixtures for some fancy ones, British Gas eventually told her that her insurance was now void and that they needed 'replacing', never gave her the chance to argue for someone to just tick them off. Happily they sent the electrician and he literally just re-fitted the same ones at no cost. Naturally they didn't want to lose her £56 a month.

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Not quite true ,
a certified electrician must be used for *notifiable* works in accordance with part 'p' of the building regs.As of some time in 2014 a non registered electrician can be used as long as they get a registered electrician within 5 days to certify the works.If the homeowner chooses to do notifyable works they will find it very hard to find a certified electrician to give the appropriate certificates and yes it can affect your home insurance

**notifiable works are changing consumer units or adding circuits that sort of thing ,not changing the socket switches although i have seen many diy horror stories from simple tasks like changing sockets and moving cables so if in doubt get an electrician .

A internet and tv forum is not the place to get electrical advice when your project has gone wrong ,Yellow pages under 'E' is where to go ;)

---------- Post added at 19:37 ---------- Previous post was at 19:32 ----------

It will be difficult to find a certified electrician to certify a job done by a non electrician .You will get qualified electricians checking and certifying trainees work because they have overseen the work but for a homeowner to get a certificate after the installation is almost impossible and rightly so .There could be hidden issues that could cause the wiring to fail certification but the electrician cannot detect them because the works have been completed

Re: Electrical outlets
 

Interesting. Yes I'm sure it could be difficult however it wouldn't be necessary for a certified electrician to re-do an entire installation just to inspect it properly, replace suspect wiring etc. and rectify faults. Of course they'd quite like to charge for a complete rewire wherever possible... ;)

Are we really saying that in practical terms the only way for, say, a landlord renting out property without certification for any notifiable works undertaken since 2014 to comply with the requirements of his insurance is to have that property completely rewired regardless of the quality of work which has been done? :spin: