On Mon, 31 May 2004 08:58:38 +0100, "aj" wrote:

I read all the theories and spoutings of a lot of the postings regarding
relectrical work on these newsgroups and to be honest I cannot believe some
of the garbage quoted.

I am an Electrical Engineer but do not bother trying to help with many of
the electrical questions raised here because of the rubbish that can get
posted confusing the crap out of the original posters.(Why should anyone
listen to me when there are all these "experts" on here with their elegant
theories and ideas?).

Because if you do have the expertise that you claim, you would be able
to justify any contribution that you make by reference to BS7671 and
well-known references to it.

You've demonstrated that you can write clearly as well, so the two
things taken together would imply your being able to post quite
eloquently and effectively on the subject.


There are one or two poster on here who regularly give what I would regard
as valid, correct answers to these electrical questions but the majority are
just well meaning, but dangerous, amateurs.

This is a sweeping statement. Where a question being asked is fairly
complex and not well covered by the Wiring Regulations or by one of
the commentary books, somebody with good knowledge of them typically
does step in and give a justified response and is seldom challenged on
it.

For relatively simple things, there is either a well trodden path or
the question is about looking for a technique to use when it is not
otherwise covered.

For many aspects of electrical installation work there is not a
prescribed "right way" or "wrong way" but there can be several quite
valid choices. There may be a common way that an electrician may have
learned from others along the way but that does not make alternatives
incorrect or incompliant with the Regulations. The acid test is
whether it complies with the standard, is safe and effective.



In my professional opinion if you have an electrical problem or question DO
NOT ask it on here, the ability to post a newsgroup reply does not in any
way endorse a person's ability or knowledge regarding electrical work or
theory.

Neither, unfortunately does calling in a professional (how ever that
might be defined), or indeed having an inspection done.

Let me give you a simple example.

Some years ago, I had occasion to look at the lighting wiring in my
loft - specifically at the ceiling fittings. As you know, I am
sure, these are places where several cables are typically connected.

I found the earth wires at the back of the fittings simply twisted
together and not in a terminal - no sleeving either. Most of these
fittings were underneath insulation, but one was on open display and
easily visible from the loft hatch.

The wiring was done by a quite well known local NICEIC contractor and
I have the inspection certificate produced by somebody from a
different firm..

I had an inspection done by another contractor and a discontinuity was
found in a ring circuit due to a screw in a socket not having been
tightened. In other respects, the wiring did pass the prescribed
instrument tests, however going round we found another 5 issues that
should have been picked up on an inspection.

If I do any significant electrical work, I do get an inspection done
and point out to the person doing it precisely what I have done and
where. Frankly, this is done only for the paperwork because I know
that the work that I do is safe and to a high standard - I have a
vested interest in doing so.

If I added up the cost of inspections over the years it would have
become cheaper to supplement my electrical engineering degree with
the appropriate technical college course and the test gear.


If you have an electrical problem please for your sake and the sake of
anyone using the buildings or equipment you are asking about, please call in
an electrician.

The original question was actually about what to do with earths at a
plastic switch plate and plastic dry lining box.


It is very very easy to wire something to make it work - it is far harder to
make it work in a manner that is safe and does not pose a risk to life or
property.

I think that that is overstating the issue. It is quite easy to do
both. Discussion topics here are generally about quite standard
domestic wiring installations, not wiring up the national grid.



No doubt all the barrack room sparks will now start telling me how many
houses and sockets they have wired with no problems, i do not have a problem
with that if you know what you are doing but if you have to ask on here in
the first palce you do not have enough knowledge to take on the job so
please call in someone who is qualified and knows what they are doing.

That really isn't the issue.

I don't see your motivation for the post.

- You criticise what is posted, yet don't want to participate when it
is possible that you might have a contribution to make.

- You fail to notice that if somebody makes a gross mistake in posting
an answer that it gets picked up by somebody who does know. Very
little gets posted in this group that is in some way dangerous that
doesn't then come under scrutiny from others and an obvious conclusion
drawn.

- It is not the case that because somebody asks a question that they
do not have the knowledge to do the work. What does a professional
do if confronted with a situation where the way to proceed is not
clear? They are going to ask a more experienced colleague or just
wing it perhaps without even noticing. The fact that somebody does
ask represents that they have thought about the issue.
If you look through threads on electrical work here, you will notice
that when somebody does post a question or where the subsequent
discussion implies that they are not really competent to do the work,
then somebody will gently or if need be forcefully point that out.

- As has been demonstrated and debated many times here and elsewhere,
there is just no significant incidence of problems as a result of DIY
fixed electrical work. The problems nearly all come from portable
appliances and overloading of sockets and the like.



-





AJ


..andy

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