Anyone re-wired their own home?

[spada01]

I'm doing an extension for which the BCO is coming in and hence tempted to do the house wiring myself and add it into his checklist for little extra cost.

I've done bits of wiring previously and studied electrical engineering so have a good knowledge of the basics. I'd obviously have to learn about things like how to define circuits, cable sizes, earth bonding, regs on running wires etc. I also don't have the tools to check things like impedance/trip rates on RCDs etc.

Has anyone ever gone down the DIY and BCO route and can share their experiences of it?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

There are a few publication that I would consider purchasing, that will help you gain a better understanding of the requirements and the building regulations that should be complied to.
On-site Guide http://www.amazon.co.uk/IEE--site-G...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291923799&sr=1-1
IEE-Wiring-Regulations, BS7071:2008
http://www.amazon.co.uk/IEE-Wiring-...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291923881&sr=1-1
Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electricians-Guide-Building-Regulations-Wiring/dp/0863418627/ref=pd_sim_b_3
and something on testing
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guidance-Note-Inspection-Testing-Notes/dp/0863418570/ref=pd_sim_b_2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-I...=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291924051&sr=1-3
There are companies that will hire out the test equipment needed.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=electrical+test+equipment+hire&channel=linkdoctor

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I have. But I had some months warning so I studied for and took the C&G Wiring Regs, and bought a multi-function tester, and a shed-load of books first. The BC officer was sympathetic ("Well it's not rocket science, is it?"), and agreed to consider me to be a competent person under the guidance, and accept my EIC, after I showed him my C&G certificate and equipment.

However I think I was unusually lucky in this area, I have heard bad stories which were very different from this.

You need to devote a lot of time to understanding the rules (including other building regulations), so allow for that.

 

[spada01]

Thanks for your posts folks - your list of relevant books Prenticeboy is quite a bright and subtler than most way of telling me what I'd be letting myself in for!

I might well look down the route of taking some courses and with my background, should be abe to skip the fundamentals one, but I've fully realised that self study isn't going to get me upto speed on the requirements in a sensible time.

Thanks again

 

[conny]

Which is the whole point of this board.
Helping people in a constructive manner to realise what is involved and to help them decide if they are able to do a task competently.
Obviously PBoD you have achieved this in a polite/informative way with your selection of reading materials. Thank you, such a breath of fresh air to some of the carp written in some replies.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Thanks for your posts folks - your list of relevant books Prenticeboy is quite a bright and subtler than most way of telling me what I'd be letting myself in for!

I might well look down the route of taking some courses and with my background, should be abe to skip the fundamentals one, but I've fully realised that self study isn't going to get me upto speed on the requirements in a sensible time.

Thanks again

Most of the books that I have recommended are used as reference books and will give you guidance on designing circuits and safe installation procedures. They are what the tradesmen will have in their library.
If you do decide to take on relevant courses, all the publications I have linked are must haves.
The Practical Guide to Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations: Conforms to 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2008) and Part P of Building Regulations book is very good and will give you great help in learning the test procedures.
You could also consider The IEE Electrical Installation Design Guide, this will help with calculations.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Obviously PBoD you have achieved this in a polite/informative way with your selection of reading materials. Thank you, such a breath of fresh air to some of the carp written in some replies.

Conny,
Thank you very much for your kind words, much appreciated.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:books
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/electricity.html
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/domesticinstallations.html
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/1.1.htm[/list]I suggest you get stuck into the last link right away - it won't give you design ideas, and unfortunately it doesn't refer to the current edition of the Wiring Regulations, but it's free, and will still give you a good grounding which you can augment with more up to date publications.
  
  Re BCO, I did apply for Building Regulations approval a few years ago for an extension, told them that I'd be doing the wiring and issuing an EIC, and that I had the EAL Certificate For Domestic Electrical Installers VRQ, and they agreed that would be OK.

 

[bernardgreen]

In 1980 my wife and I built the entire house ourselves and I did all the electrics. So it is possible with the right information.

More recently I did the electrics when we had a new kitchen installed and the BCO accepted that I was compentent to do the electrics.

 

[conny]

Obviously PBoD you have achieved this in a polite/informative way with your selection of reading materials. Thank you, such a breath of fresh air to some of the carp written in some replies.

Conny,
Thank you very much for your kind words, much appreciated.

Credit where its due, and I think Bas has also suggested some good material.