Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

Andrew

On 05/09/2019 14:17, Andrew May wrote:
Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

Andrew

Mostly common sense, assuming you have actually done some
mains electrical work before.

Plus apart from the electrical considerations :-

In any property built before mid-80's, be mindful of the
possibility that there may be asbestos-cement sheeting
where you can't see it, before drilling big holes. Even if
there was some and it has been removed, did the remover just
smash it to bits and chuck in bin leaving loads of asbestos
dust sitting on top of a ceiling just waiting for someone to
disturb.

Also artex ceiling pre-mid-80's might contain asbestos.

Be aware of notching and drilling zones in *solid* joists :-
First 0.7 times span from the wall is out of bounds.

From 0.7 to 0.25 span you may notch up to one eigth ? depth
(definately NOT I-beams though)

From 0.25 to 0.4 span you can drill holes up to one eighth
joist depth but only in the centre of the joist. I-beams
should have knock-outs ??.

Always assume that all previous work was done by a numpty
so anticipate cooker cables lying in notches in joists etc
before you power up your circular saw or whatever and start
chopping through flooring.

I found a 4-way round connector in the ring main of my
house (built 1976) with two spurs each feeding a twin socket,
one of which was fed by the cable going down inside the
cavity.

The odd thing was, when I pulled down the kitchen ceiling and
discovered this, the ceiling was entirely the original 8x4
sheets of p'board, and the t&g flooring above was original
and intact.

QED, this was done by the builders in 1976 before the plaster
board was installed. First owner must have asked for an extra
power point after first fit had been done.

On 05/09/2019 14:17, Andrew May wrote:

Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.

I have not seen any books that focus specifically on the task, although
there may be some. Lots of general DIY guides will also cover most of
the details.

We have stuck some of the relevant stuff in this article:

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/...l_Installation




--
Cheers,

John.

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\================================================= ================/

In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

Since very little has changed in those terms, look in the charity shops
for the Reader's Digest DIY book.

--
*It's o.k. to laugh during sexŒ.Œ.just don't point!

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Yes nobody keeps documentation of any alterations done, sadly.
It was even worse here, we came in in 1956, house built 1939.
All sorts of bodges abounded. In the end it all needed rewiring in the
1970s. My good what a lot of dust that caused!

Brian

--
----- --
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Andrew" wrote in message
...
On 05/09/2019 14:17, Andrew May wrote:
Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

Andrew

Mostly common sense, assuming you have actually done some
mains electrical work before.

Plus apart from the electrical considerations :-

In any property built before mid-80's, be mindful of the
possibility that there may be asbestos-cement sheeting
where you can't see it, before drilling big holes. Even if
there was some and it has been removed, did the remover just
smash it to bits and chuck in bin leaving loads of asbestos
dust sitting on top of a ceiling just waiting for someone to
disturb.

Also artex ceiling pre-mid-80's might contain asbestos.

Be aware of notching and drilling zones in *solid* joists :-
First 0.7 times span from the wall is out of bounds.

From 0.7 to 0.25 span you may notch up to one eigth ? depth
(definately NOT I-beams though)

From 0.25 to 0.4 span you can drill holes up to one eighth
joist depth but only in the centre of the joist. I-beams
should have knock-outs ??.

Always assume that all previous work was done by a numpty
so anticipate cooker cables lying in notches in joists etc
before you power up your circular saw or whatever and start
chopping through flooring.

I found a 4-way round connector in the ring main of my
house (built 1976) with two spurs each feeding a twin socket,
one of which was fed by the cable going down inside the
cavity.

The odd thing was, when I pulled down the kitchen ceiling and
discovered this, the ceiling was entirely the original 8x4
sheets of p'board, and the t&g flooring above was original
and intact.

QED, this was done by the builders in 1976 before the plaster
board was installed. First owner must have asked for an extra
power point after first fit had been done.

In message , Andrew May
writes
Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

My favourite is Home Electrics edited by Julian Worthington, but do be
aware that it was published (Orbis) in 1981 so any rules and regs will
be out of date, although the actual practicalities will be unchanged.
Lots of coloured pictures and diagrams.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Home-Elec...on-Used-Accept
able-Book/382998445963?epid=90381305&hash=item592c7c7f8b:g:c-8AAOSwUvlc~c
0E

eBay item 382998445963, 2.56 BIN, including postage.

The above book was part of a series including plumbing, metalwork,
general DIY projects, woodwork and probably others. Dummies Guides from
nearly 40 years ago, but lots of great info and illustrations.
--
Graeme

On 05/09/2019 18:08, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

Since very little has changed in those terms, look in the charity shops
for the Reader's Digest DIY book.


As I pointed out to friend recently the most useful chapter in the book
he had on domestic wiring was the one on resuscitation after receiving
an electric shock. His practical experience on electrics was zero and he
had purchased some inappropriate wire on the advice of someone working
in a local hardware store for a job he was about to undertake.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 06/09/2019 08:41, alan_m wrote:
On 05/09/2019 18:08, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Â*Â*Â* Andrew May wrote:
Any recommendations for good books on the practical aspects of domestic
wiring. the onsite guide is pretty good for all the mathematical and
regulatory stuff but am looking for something that covers the practical
installation.

Since very little has changed in those terms, look in the charity shops
for the Reader's Digest DIY book.


As I pointed out to friend recently the most useful chapter in the book
he had on domestic wiring was the one on resuscitation after receiving
an electric shock. His practical experience on electrics was zero and he
had purchased some inappropriate wire on the advice of someone working
in a local hardware store for a job he was about to undertake.


Well the choice of wire wasn't the cause of his shock then.

..

That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Another "skill" is knowing what is available.

In article 6,
John wrote:
That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Just visited a house owned by a very old lady. Was rewired in recent
years. Everything surface. No bashing required.

--
*No hand signals. Driver on Viagra*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 06/09/2019 16:07, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article 6,
John wrote:
That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Just visited a house owned by a very old lady. Was rewired in recent
years. Everything surface. No bashing required.


No RCD needed then ??

On 06/09/2019 17:51, Andrew wrote:
On 06/09/2019 16:07, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article 6,
Â*Â*Â* John wrote:
That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Â* Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Just visited a house owned by a very old lady. Was rewired in recent
years. Everything surface. No bashing required.


No RCD needed then ??

Apart from the sockets and lights:-)



--
Adam

On 06/09/2019 15:07, John wrote:
.

That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Another "skill" is knowing what is available.


House bashing is my favourite job.

--
Adam

On Saturday, 7 September 2019 13:02:38 UTC+1, ARW wrote:
House bashing is my favourite job.

I have concrete floors and concrete ceilings.

The downstairs neighbours sometimes complain when I do any bashing :-(

Owain

On 07/09/2019 17:40, wrote:
On Saturday, 7 September 2019 13:02:38 UTC+1, ARW wrote:
House bashing is my favourite job.

I have concrete floors and concrete ceilings.

The downstairs neighbours sometimes complain when I do any bashing :-(



So did the massage parlour next door to the last place I worked at.

--
Adam

On 07/09/2019 12:58, ARW wrote:
On 06/09/2019 17:51, Andrew wrote:
On 06/09/2019 16:07, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article 6,
Â*Â*Â* John wrote:
That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Â* Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Just visited a house owned by a very old lady. Was rewired in recent
years. Everything surface. No bashing required.


No RCD needed then ??

Apart from the sockets and lights:-)




But all the wiring is surface mounted ??

On 08/09/2019 10:38, Andrew wrote:
On 07/09/2019 12:58, ARW wrote:
On 06/09/2019 17:51, Andrew wrote:
On 06/09/2019 16:07, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article 6,
Â*Â*Â* John wrote:
That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with
electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Â* Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Just visited a house owned by a very old lady. Was rewired in recent
years. Everything surface. No bashing required.


No RCD needed then ??

Apart from the sockets and lights:-)




But all the wiring is surface mounted ??

The 18th edition requires that all the lights and sockets are RCD
protected in a domestic property.

However there is no requirement to provide RCD protection to surface
mounted cable.





--


Adam

On 08/09/2019 10:38, Andrew wrote:
On 07/09/2019 12:58, ARW wrote:
On 06/09/2019 17:51, Andrew wrote:
On 06/09/2019 16:07, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article 6,
Â*Â*Â* John wrote:
That's a good question actually... as you have no doubt spotted about
90% of domestic electrical work has nothing much to do with
electrical
wiring practice at all, and is more about house bashing.


Â* Totally agree - house bashing - visualising the hidden construction,
planning routes.

Just visited a house owned by a very old lady. Was rewired in recent
years. Everything surface. No bashing required.


No RCD needed then ??

Apart from the sockets and lights:-)




But all the wiring is surface mounted ??

You don't need a RCD to protect the cables since they are exposed.
However all sockets and now lights need RCD protection.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/