Electrics Safety

This material is " for information purposes " only. Strict rules govern what electrical work can be done without notification and inspection.
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Electrics

The Diy Fix It guide to home electrics

This section covers cable and flex stripping and connecting as well as information on earth bonding and colour codes for wiring. There are articles explaining how electricity works and all you need to know about the mains supply to your home. We explain how lampholders, light switches, sockets and appliances are connected to circuits. One way and two way lighting are explained as well as basics such as wiring a plug or television aerial.

Note: Strict rules govern what electrical work can be done without notification and inspection. Read More ...

	Cable - connecting Step by step guide for connecting cables in home How to connect the conductors to switches sockets and terminals.
	Cable - stripping How to strip cables ready for connecting in to the home wiring systems. Guide to preparing cables and fitting earth sleeving to the bare conductor.
	Cable types Guide to types of cable in home electrics and wiring. Single, twin and earth, and three core with earth cables explained.
	Ceiling rose 1 Cable identification in the ceiling rose of pendant lights. How to identify and label the switch cable or wire as well as the earth.
	Ceiling rose 2 Diy how-to guide for ceiling rose replacement, showing how to fix and re wire the cables or conductors as well as refixing the flex from the pendant light.
	Christmas tree lights How-to guide on taking care of christmas tree lights and keeping them in working order. Help with changing and replacing bulbs or a blown fuse.
	Colour codes for wiring Colour codes for UK electric cables showing both the old (pre 2006) and the new harmonious colours for live neutral and earth as well as three core
	Earth bonding Basic guide to main earth bonding between the terminal block in the consumer unit and service pipes such as gas, water and oil as well as information on supplementary earth bonding and the use of earth clamps.
	Electricity - how it works 1 Guide to explain how electricity works in home wiring.
	Electricity - how it works 2 Guide to explain how fuses and the earthing works in home wiring.
	Electricity - the mains supply Guide to how electricity is supplied to homes via the service head to the electric meter. With details of the consumer unit (fuse board).
	Flex - connecting Step by step guide to connecting flex used in home wiring and electrics. How to connect the conductors at flex switches and terminals.
	Flex - extending How to extend a flex used in home wiring and electrics. Step by step guide to disconnecting, extending and joining flex.
	Flex - stripping How to strip flex ready for connecting in home wiring and electrics. Guide to preparing flexes, trimming back the sheath and stripping the conductors to the right length ready for connection.
	Flex switch How to fit a switch in a flex. Instructions for trimming and preparing the flex sheath and conductors as well as connecting the switch to control small appliances.
	Flex types Guide to types of flex used in home electrics and wiring. Table of appliance rating and suitable flex conductor sizes.
	Fuse - changing 1 Guide to changing fuses in home wiring covering plugs and fuseboards or consumer units with rewireable fuses or circuit breakers.
	Fuse - changing 2 Guide to changing fuses in home wiring, covering consumer units (fuseboards) with rewireable fuses, circuit breakers, mcb and cartridge fuse carriers.
	Fused connection unit 1 Advice on fused connection units used for home electrics and wiring of appliances into the ring main or on a spur.
	Fused connection unit 2 How to connect appliances using a fused connection unit in home electrics and wiring covering the cable from the ring main or a spur as well as the flex or cable used for the appliance.
	Lampholder fitting and connecting Guide to lamp holder types and how to connect the flex conductors to the fitting including earthing requirements.
	Light switch - replacing How to change or replace a light switch used in home lighting circuits. Identifying the cables or wires and connecting to the new one or two way switch.
	Light switches Guide to the terms used for light switches - one way, two way, single and double gang.
	Lighting circuits Guide to the type of circuits used for lights and home lighting. Details of the wiring of loop or junction box circuits for operating and switching lights.
	Lighting circuits - one way 1 How to instal one way lighting with details of the circuit, switch and cable or wire used as well as connections and earthing requirements for the lights.
	Lighting circuits - one way 2 How to instal one way lighting with details of the circuit, switch and cable or wire used as well as connections and earthing requirements for lights.
	Lighting circuits - two way How to instal two way lighting switches, with details of the circuit, switch and link cable or wire used as well as connections and earthing requirements for lights.
	Lights - connecting a close mounted fitting Instructions on fitting and wiring a close mounted light. How to connect the light using heat resistant cable and details on using a besa box where there is no back plate.
	Lights - connecting a fluorescent tube fitting Instructions on fixing and wiring a fluorescent light or tube fitting. How to mount the unit and connect the lighting cable with details on using a junction box to connect to the lighting circuit.
	Lights - connecting a pendant fitting How to remove and replace an old or damaged pandant light fitting. Guide to connecting the flex to the lighting circuit or wiring at the ceiling rose.
	Lights - connecting a track fitting Instructions on fixing and wiring a track light or spotlight fitting. How to mount the unit and connect the lighting cable with details on using a junction box to connect to the lighting circuit.
	Plug wiring and connections Wiring or fitting a plug to electrical appliances. Showing how to connect the live neutral and earth wires correctly. Double insulated symbol explained.
	Power circuits 1 Guide to ring mains used for power circuits in home electrics and wiring. Including details of spur wiring to supply an electric socket outlet.
	Power circuits 2 Guide to radial circuits used for power supply and house electrics and wiring. Including details of spur wiring to supply an electric socket outlet.
	Socket outlets - connecting and wiring How to connect and wire up a socket outlet from the ring main power supply.
	Socket outlets - extending the ring main Diy how-to on extending the ring main to provide electrical power for a new socket outlet. Removing the old wires and adding new cable to feed the socket.
	Socket outlets - fitting 1 How to cut out walls to fit a metal electrical socket outlet box with details for fixing and inserting the cables through a rubber grommet for protection.
	Socket outlets - fitting 2 How to cut out plasterboard to fit a plastic electrical socket outlet box with details for fixing and inserting the cables as well as clamping the plasterboard box.
	Socket outlets - locating new electrical points Locating electrical socket outlets to provide power supply with details for ring mains, radial circuits and spur wiring.
	Socket outlets - replacing an electrical point 1 How to replace an electrical socket outlet, with details of surface mounted and flush type as well as single and double sockets.
	Socket outlets - replacing an electrical point 2 How to replace an electrical socket outlet, with details for removing the old or damaged socket and wiring up or connecting the new outlet.
	Socket outlets - spur from a junction box Diy how-to on adding a junction box and spur to provide electrical power for a new socket outlet and Installing the new cable to feed the socket.
	Socket outlets - spur from existing socket Diy how-to on adding a spur to an existing power point to provide electrical supply for a new socket outlet and installing the new cable to feed the socket.
	Television - wiring an aerial plug How to fit an aerial plug onto coaxial cable for connecting a television.
	Television aerial - extra socket outlet How to add an extra tv point with coaxial cale to a new television socket outlet.