It's like electricity

[undyingking]

Am I right in thinking that there's a recent law / regulation saying that electrical work in your house now has to be done by a proper electrician?

If so, and it wasn't just a bad dream, does anybody know what it covers? -- presumably you're still allowed to change a plug yourself, but eg. I want to remove two ceiling spotlights and replace them with pendant fittings, could I still do that?

Comments

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I don't know the law but I would assume this only covers actual wiring work (and things like attaching/replacing fuse boxes and meters) rather than changing fittings. British laws are strange, though...

[floralaetifica.livejournal.com]

It's something to do with certificates. Your wiring has to have a certificate, and only qualified electricians can issue them. But that's all I can remember, I'm afraid, I don't know how big a job has to be before it counts.

[floralaetifica.livejournal.com]

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/building-control/news/2004/november/home-electrical-safety.en;jsessionid=aipEpxloCABg

Although it's pretty vague.

[fractalgeek.livejournal.com]

halcyonpoodle was on the committee that brought them in.... Known as "Section P" in the trade

[dr-bob.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that any changes that change the wiring of the ring mains or lighting (new lights, sockets etc) requires a certified electrician. Changing a plug/socket should be fine, and I suspect that replacing pendant fittings is also fine. It may depend on the level of electrical complexity involved in changing a spot into a pendant. But if you do it yourself, is anyone going to know?

[smallbeasts.livejournal.com]

It's a new section of the building regulations. According to the FAQ, your change is too minor to be "notifiable", so you don't have to inform building control.