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Electrical

Can a homeowner 'run' electrical cable? Also RFC vs Radial?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.35 PM

Hello, I am trying to find the answer to whether it is allowable for a homeowner to 'run' under floorboards the electrical wire for the socket and lighting circuit themselves or must this be done by a Part P Approved Electrician also? The cables must obviously be no where near any plumbing pipes and it is also bad practice to notch them into the joists as if someone puts a nail or screw it will go straight through the cable. The plan would be to put them through the joists (away from any plumbing pipes) or put a screw into the face of the joists and cable tie the cable under the joist - I think I saw a post on here regarding the sizes and specs that must be complied with for holes or other suitable methods.. I am aware the final installation of the CU and 'tie up' at the end to the unit must be done by a qualified Part P electrician along with special locations - bathrooms, kitchen? etc. I have spoken to someone who has said they would be happy for me to run cables and they would do the final CU and tie up. I will also do the dirty work like chasing out walls with a suitable wall chaser etc Also I have invited electricians to quote outside of this forum and some have specified that they will install a Radial Circuit with a 4mm cable for a new re-wire and others have specified Ring Final Circuit with 2.5 mm cable. The most popular in the UK is the Ring Main but there is an argument that it is an old and antiquated design which was introduced in the 1940's and should no longer be a viable option for a re-wire... Others argue that a Radial circuit is more efficient.. Is there a status quo on a re-wire or is that down to the individual electrician? Much obliged.

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6 Answers

Anonymous user

If you have the correct knowledge about electricity and running cable then is it perfectly ok to run the cables yourself you would just need a qualified electrician to connect to your consumer unit

Answered15 December 2020

Kmc electrical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Saltcoats

There’s no way I would let someone who is not an electrician rewire circuits for me to connect up,if you’re adding circuits in you need a test certificate!there are full sections on that certificate about how the cables are ran in etc;why would someone else put their name to it when they didn’t install it.the electrician would need to mark limitations all over the certificate which is really defeating the point of a rewire.as for the 4 mm versus 2.5 mm and ring circuits vs radials;you need an electrician to come see it and decide,as this is also on the certificate,the design of the installation.your just giving yourself a headache,just get yourself multiple quotes from reputable companies and pick out the one that suits. Kmc

Answered16 December 2020

DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5

Grimsby

You are really down to the fact of difference of opinions. I personally install ring circuits in upstairs and downstairs, but in a kitchen I would assess the loading implications and maybe/maybe not run both ring and radials. I agree with Kmc though, I would not let someone do the circuit wiring and then ‘sign it off’ As I would be taking responsibility for someone else’s work, and it just leads to utter confusion all round. To avoid all this I would strongly advise to get a spark who can design, install, test and certificate his own work. If you want to go down the route of diy wiring ( which effectively is what it is) apart from the chasing out, the procedure is go via LABC and seek consent for the work and pay a fee, or nominate a third party registered inspector and tester. It does have an impact on house insurance should anything go wrong if you install it.

Answered17 December 2020

Anonymous user

There are options. A kitchen socket circuit is usually 32A. Its the room where the highest socket loads are expected. You don't need 32A rated socket circuits anywhere else. Use a 20A radial circuit for upstairs sockets and the same for downstairs. If adopting standard circuits then 32A circuits are 4mm2 radial or 2.5mm2 ring. 20A (or 16A) circuits are 2.5mm2 radial. Lighting is 1.5mm2 or 1.0mm2 radial rated at 10A or 6A. You must notify Building Control BEFORE you start any notifiable electrical work UNLESS you employ an electrician registered with a Part P scheme provider. That is the law.

Answered18 December 2020

Complete Maintenance Essex Ltd

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Romford

This is a difficult question, and I don't believe you will get the same answer from everybody here. My registration body, the NICEIC will not officially allow the sign off of other people's work. If you were to offer to me to chase all the walls and back boxes in, then I would be happy to give you a discount on this, as our labour cost would be much less. If this were a notifiable job, which a new circuit is. Officially you wouldn't be able to do any of the cabling yourself. With regards to ring or radial, it is down to the electrician designing the circuit. Personally In a standard 3 bedroom house, I install 16/20A 2.5mm radials to the up and downstairs sockets, and a 32A 2.5mm ring in the kitchen. The building regulations gives you the requirements for drilling joists, and clipping cables. Cabling must now be held using a certain amount of metal fixings at specific distances. Andy

Answered15 December 2020

Anonymous user

If some one else runs cables it's not possible for the electrician to sign it off. If you want the rolls royce of installations, I'd go with ring circuits for bed rooms and living room, with seperate CU for radial circuits supplying kitchen. Down side is the cost and making space to fit all the cables in walls.

Answered17 December 2020