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Paul1977

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#214854 31-May-2017 16:12
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As I home owner, it is my understanding that I am allowed to change light switches, light fitting, and power points etc myself, but at what point does it become a job that you legally need an electrician to do it?


I have a single switch in the bathroom that when turns on both the light and extractor. I would like to change this to either 2 switches or a double switch so I can control the light and extractor individually.


I haven't yet looked behind the switch to see how the two things are wired. But depending on where in the circuit the extractor was wired may mean I need to run additional cable from the roof cavity to the switch position. Or if it is all already behind the switch it may be a lot more straight forward. I will not need to touch the main switchboard (except to turn off the power while I work). At what point in this sort of job does it cross the line of what I am allowed to do myself?


I want to do it myself as some of our wiring is still the old conduit stuff, and for an electrician to work on it I think they are required to replace it. As the home owner I think I get more leeway in that regard. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.





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Ge0rge
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  #1792445 31-May-2017 16:26
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She's pretty detailed in here about what you can and can't do, and what you can do before needing to get it certified. 

 

That's the law behind what you can and can't do.  I'd be suggesting that you are running a separate circuit if you need to run wiring from the switch to the fan/light, in which case you need a sparky.  If you open the switch up and find that there is already two circuits leading into the roof, then technically you are changing "like for like" by swapping a single switch for a double. 

 

At the end of the day, it's your house.  If you break the law and nothing happens, then so be it.  If you do the wiring, whether you are legally able to or not, and you have a fire - even unrelated - will your insurance pay out if they discover it? Do you want to take that risk for the cost of a qualified and competent tradesman to come and do it properly, and issue you with a code of compliance for piece of mind?

 

 

 

 


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