[Home] Hmmm ... Croydon electricians

[dancefloorlandmine]

This morning I demonstrated l33t domestic god skills (for a very minor level of demi-deity) and changed some fuse wire in my fusebox. Go me. The electrical sockets now work again (which is how I am online). Also, I'm going to see whether my local hardware shop sells MCBs (circuit breakers) which I can replace the wire cartridges with. [sigh] Given that he appears to stock almost everything, the answer is "probably".

However, can anyone in the Croydon area recommend a decent electrician? - while changing the fuse, I noticed that one of the other cartridge holders needs replacing, and I'm not sure that "messing with the fusebox" constitutes a DIY-level task.

Comments

[christhegoth.livejournal.com]

Messing with the fusebox constitutes and expert level task. As such if the box is damaged and needs replacing leave it and get a pro in. Harass your landlord and that.

Let's put it this way. If you feck up the only fuse protecting you is 100a. You'll go pop before it does. You're talking about the most dangerous part of the circuit really.

Plug in MCB's. You can get them, but they vary in size of pin, and distance apart of pin. Take the cartridge fuse with you to make sure the pin positions marry up.

TBH I'd just get a new board in. Saves a lot of fecking around :)

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Harass your landlord and that.
Err ... the flat's mine. [grin]

If you feck up the only fuse protecting you is 100a. You'll go pop before it does. You're talking about the most dangerous part of the circuit really.
Thought so.

Take the cartridge fuse with you to make sure the pin positions marry up.
Cheers!

As such if the box is damaged and needs replacing leave it and get a pro in.
Aren't you one of them there pros?

[arkady.livejournal.com]

No, he's not.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Fair enough - I couldn't remember what level Chris was qualified to.

[christhegoth.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I'm 16th ed, not 17th ed ( the latest ). Having said that a 16th ed would be good enough from what I can tell. But I'm not insured anymore so best get someone in who's actually trading. And has calibrated meters for test and inspect, I sold mine a while back.

And has all his marbles as well ;)

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Fairy snuff! Cheers.

[christhegoth.livejournal.com]

Erm, actually yes I am. The only thing I don't have is the 17th Ed.

I can't trade due to health and safety issues. Bit of a sore subject really after 3 years hard work, so I'd appreciate you staying out of it :)

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

I've been investigating this a bit since I want to add a new ring main in my cellar and that means connecting up to the distribution box - which I guess is also your fuse box. (Modern fuse boxes are distribution boxes with circuit breakers)

Basically you are right - this isnt a DIY thing.

Your electrician needs to be fully aware of the rules governing household electrical supply and may even need to certify that the work is done correctly.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

I've been investigating this a bit
Handy!

Modern fuse boxes are distribution boxes with circuit breakers
Mine's a bit older - distribution box with (currently) plug in cartridges for wire.

[christhegoth.livejournal.com]

The job should involve a full test and inspect afterwards as all circuits lead to the board. It is not a 'minor works'. You are looking for an NICEIC sparky really, although there are other registration boards now. That certificate will be important though if you get any problems, so make sure it's there.

A 16th Ed should be ok at this stage. It takes time to bring the new regs in so... I've seen job ads still asking for the 16th Ed :)

Ooh yeah. Maintenance. That's a separate contract. And guarantee's are only compulsory under NICEIC or other registration boards. So be careful there.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Cheers!

[christhegoth.livejournal.com]

Other good board is NAPIT. I'd go with either one of those two :)

[drpete.livejournal.com]

Screwfix will sell you all the stuff you need, then a sparks will be able to replace your fuse board with a consumer unit in a couple of hours. It needs to be someone who is pukka, as they will issue you with a certificate which means the work corresponds to current legislation. You'll need the certificate as part of your homebuyer pack when you come to sell the house, or buyers will be very wary.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

You'll need the certificate as part of your homebuyer pack when you come to sell the house, or buyers will be very wary.
Cheers!

The current one is technically a consumer unit (according to my Collins Handy DIY book, anyhow) - but an older one. But yes, I'd rather have an upgrade - apart from anything else, the current one doesn't have space for a power shower line, should I decide to have one installed.

[redcountess]

Might be best to have an electrician look at the fusebox even before you put the circuit breakers in, to avoid future problems - when our dining room light kept going, the electrician who came to sort out that noticed that the main cable into the box (whatever it's called, I forget) wasn't the right size.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

The MCBs were more of a temporary upgrade pending being able to get a sparky out to do a full replacement.

[thekumquat.livejournal.com]

I've had good experiences with www.checkatrade.com for finding good-value tradesmen.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Ooh, cheers!

[conflux.livejournal.com]

I did this job myself in our flat and even have a spare Wickes fuse box with built in RCD that you could use. I also have large insulated gloves. If you do end up doing it yourself you still need to get it inspected by someone qualified though. All in all though it might be best to get someone in to do it as it was a bit tricky unless you are sure you know what to do?