Whenever you have a bath or shower, the steam generated from the hot water in your bathroom will eventually cause the moisture in the air to linger around and form a mist. And if you stay in the bathroom long enough your walls will start to “sweat” – even if you have a window or […]
A few words about safety
Before you carry out any electrical work in the home check out the building regulations on the Government or local authority website, specifically the Part P regulations and Electrical safety in the home. Although I am aware of the current rules it is worth reading the latest regulations as they have been updated in the past.
How to Fit an Electrical Supply for a Garden Pond or Water Feature
This post is all about warning DIYers against the idea of fitting an electrical supply in your garden for a pond or water feature. Any electrical work carried out in the garden should be done by a suitably qualified electrician. Check out this site to find one in your area. The installation of cables and […]
How to Fit a Plug Top
Tools required Side cutters (snips), a medium posi and flat screwdriver depending on the plug top, a Stanley knife and if you have them a pair of wire strippers. Remove approximately 5cm of outer sheath from the flex, to do this score around the flex with your knife taking care not to cut into the conductors […]
Different Types of Fuse Ratings in Plugs
All electrical items in the home should have a plug top fitted with the appropriate fuse rating, the load (amps) of electrical equipment and appliances can be calculated thus :- WATTS ÷ VOLTS = AMPS 1 KILOWATT = 1000 WATTS VOLTS = 240v So if you have a 240 volt heater rated at 3 KW (3000 […]
Replacing a 13 Amp Socket Outlet
Replacing a damaged or faulty socket outlet should be a fairly straightforward task, but if you aren’t completely confident in your ability then you should use the services of a qualified electrician. You must switch off the consumer unit and remove the appropriate circuit fuse / miniature circuit breaker, this reduces the risk of electrocution […]
Electric Shower too Hot or too Cold?
I recently received a call from a friend whose electric shower unit had suddenly stopped working correctly, even though the water flowed it was not reaching temperature, and I assumed the heating elements in the shower water tank must have failed. After testing the elements and checking connections etc, I could not find any fault, other than […]
How to Fit Security Lights to Protect Your Home
Making your home more secure to deter burglars doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Fitting a security light is a great deterrent against burglars and can be very handy as the winter nights draw in. You don’t need a mega-wattage fitting that will scorch the grass from 10 metres, a 150 watt halogen floodlight with […]
One-Way Lighting Circuit Modified for Two-Way Switching
Here are some helpful diagrams that show how lighting operating on a one-way switch can be changed relatively easily for two-way switch operation. Turn off the consumer unit and remove the appropriate circuit fuse / miniature circuit breaker first before working on any electrical circuit, once the cable is installed make the connections to the two-way switches […]
Low Energy Lamps - Are they any Good?
Low energy lamps have been around for several years, they do save a lot of energy compared to the old faithful light bulb and therefore they help to reduce emissions, not to mention your electricity bill. They are available in a lot of shapes to suit light fittings and different wattage outputs. A low energy lamp […]
How to Replace a Ceiling Rose
There are many ceiling roses available on the market, they range from ornate ones to plain ones. Many of which can be bought online, click here to see what’s available on Amazon. Whichever takes your fancy I hope that this detailed post helps you replace yours easily and professionally. Don’t forget to let us know […]