Replacements, Minor Repairs and ‘Like for Like’ Changes – These are the main electrical jobs that you’ll be allowed to undertake yourself. So, you might want to change and/or move sockets, ceiling lights or light switches. You can even look to change any wires that might look old or damaged.
What electrical work may be performed in the UK without a license?
Renovating your residence All new electrical work must conform with which, for safety reasons, bans do-it-yourself electrical work. However, you are permitted to perform some tasks without contacting Building Control. Minor repairs and maintenance are authorized, as well as “like-for-like” replacements, such as replacing existing sockets, switches, and ceiling pendants, or even repairing or replacing broken cables.
- A’spur’ is a new cable and socket run as a branch from an existing socket on the ring main.
- You’re also permitted to add a single fused spur to an existing circuit (a’spur’ is a new cable and socket run as a branch from an existing socket on the ring main) so long as the work is not being performed in a’special location’ such as a bathroom or outdoors.
Everything else, such as building whole new circuits or replacing a consumer unit’s fuse board, is considered “notifiable work.” This necessitates the submission of a Building Regulations application in advance so that the work may be examined and verified.
In most circumstances, however, the electrician may self-certify their work since they’re registered with a group that grants them’registered installer’ status (also known as ‘competent individuals’), such as the ECA (Electrical Contractors Association) or NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting).
A “non-qualified” individual can still perform notifiable electrical work as long as Building Control is notified; but, failure to do so might result in a substantial punishment if the work is deemed unsafe. The electrician is required by law to test the new system and provide a signed BS 7671 electrical safety certificate upon project completion.
However, ensure that you are not exhausted before beginning this task, and always adhere to regulatory criteria, since these must be satisfied for this sort of labor. To restate, anybody who is qualified to perform this service according to approved criteria is permitted to do so.
- If you are a do-it-yourselfer who is unsure of what you are doing, do not attempt to complete this task; instead, engage a professional.
- Eep in mind that handymen who are not certified electricians can perform simple electrical tasks, but not those that need certification.
- If you want certificated work to be performed, it is strongly advised that you employ a certified electrician or a handyman who is also a qualified electrician.
What types of electrical work may a handyman perform?
Is DIY electrical work permitted in the United Kingdom?
What is Section P of the building codes? – Since 2005, all electrical work in residences in England and Wales must fulfill the standards of Part P of the Building Regulations, regardless of whether the work is required to be reported to a building control body (see below).
- The standards for England were modified in April 2013.
- Part P compliance is meant to keep you and your family as safe from electrical risks as possible.
- Part P rules apply to new houses, as well as any changes or additions to the electrical installations of existing dwellings, including complete or partial rewiring.
Part P states that anyone performing electrical work in a dwelling must ensure that reasonable provisions have been made in the design and installation of the electrical installations to protect against fire and injury, including electric shock, any person who may use, maintain, or alter the electrical installation of that dwelling.
