Probably a stupid question. Do you guys have any qualms about replacing plug sockets and light switches? We did a couple as an emergency before our decorators went into the lounge.. just upgrading the fascias from horrid white plastic to lovely brass. Is this something you guys file as an everyday man job, lol? I'm just wary of electrics...
What "man jobs" have you done today?
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Soldato
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Personally no, I've no problem doing it but there's things to consider. When changing from plastic to metal for example, is the face plate earthed? Plastic doesn't need to be, metal does.
If you're in the slightest kit wary then get a sparky in to do it.
If you're in the slightest kit wary then get a sparky in to do it.
Soldato
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Pretty basic but obviously it depends what you find behind the faceplate.
Obviously make sure you turn the circuit/s off before starting work but also worth noting, generally if you short the neutral and earth you can still trip the RCD even though the live is dead. So personally I like to just turn the entire house off when I work with anything already in situ. I know it seems overkill but it's nice and safe.
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RCBOs FTW.
Interesting, I thought you guys would be all gung-ho and not to worry 
Yes we found so far red and black and green earth, so everything has been earthed correctly. And yes have turned the whole house off when doing it!
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"Fuse box" device types. Traditionally you have:
MCB Miniature Circuit Breaker, the "fuse" that trips for each single circuit if overloaded (too much current).
RCD Residual Current Device, the earth protection which covers a group of circuits, and trips if earth is disturbed (short circuit from live etc).
Now we have RCBO, Residual Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent protection. Basically an RCD and MCB in one, which means disturbing earth or neutral on one circuit won't trip the RCD and take out a whole group of circuits.
Key thing is that it means the neutral is protected/monitored against earth individually per circuit, so my comment about shorting neutral and earth won't apply. RCBOs are pretty recent, still not required in all properties though many people choose them as they're the obvious evolution.
MCB Miniature Circuit Breaker, the "fuse" that trips for each single circuit if overloaded (too much current).
RCD Residual Current Device, the earth protection which covers a group of circuits, and trips if earth is disturbed (short circuit from live etc).
Now we have RCBO, Residual Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent protection. Basically an RCD and MCB in one, which means disturbing earth or neutral on one circuit won't trip the RCD and take out a whole group of circuits.
Key thing is that it means the neutral is protected/monitored against earth individually per circuit, so my comment about shorting neutral and earth won't apply. RCBOs are pretty recent, still not required in all properties though many people choose them as they're the obvious evolution.
I will change plug sockets and light switches. However I haven't added anything extra on, unlike a you video on Artisan Electrics (https://youtu.be/Br8Hno-uDyk) an old guy had been quite enthusiastic over the years in what he had done.
I used these things the last time I put Marmox on a wall. https://pureadhesion.co.uk/insulation-anchor-cob-plug-dowels-spankers-60mm-box-of-200/
Much faster than screw & washer approach.
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So you connected an earth wire *DIRECTLY* to the new faceplate that you installed?
Why is your board so thicc? Isn't 12.5mm the standard. Do you mean glue or tile adhesive?People who have used spankers for tiling systems --- does this look right or am I doing it the hard way?
I plan to board out the enclosed porch; the 20mm stuff is for the door reveals.
What glue should I use? Plan is tile and render!
Thank you.
Also,
I emailed them and they said it's fine - as long as I have met minimum spend overall they'll do it for me
Spankers??
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I am using it for my enclosed porch/exterior - the main reason is for insulation. Spankers are what Orifice mentioned (lol Freudians).
Well into the backbox or whatever, I dunno. We followed the instructions!
They're these in brass; https://www.rselectricalsupplies.co...-metal-brushed-steel-13a-double-socket-nbs22b
Caporegime
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Lol no please don't do this...
Don't u have a electrician mate?
He or she will be able to do it for a pint
Soldato
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Sad times when we're in this thread recommending people don't change their own sockets! What's next?
Why?
You don’t need a sparky and it’s dead easy.
Why would a sparky friend spend hours at your house working for nothing when they are generally run off their feet with paid work.
Edit: it’s the sort of thing a 16 year old apprentice would be doing on their first day on the job.
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Caporegime
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Hours? he would do it with his eyes closed in about 5mins tops. Again thats why i said he wil do it for a pint. lol
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Soldato
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Sure if he's your mate and he was already over. If he's your electrician it's gonna be minimum 2 hours travel and effort isn't it... Work ain't free.
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Thats the standard now mate.
Mines a tiny bit lower then that but the flat i use to ive on had it higher.
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