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We go to length by design to ensure shock protection. Zs must be measured and be below a certain figure. If the user is working at the end of a 30 Metre extension, he is risking a shock if a fault to earth occurs while using an earthed metal tool. The disconnection time will exceed 0.4 sec...

Inspection of a domestic kitchen showed that two twin 13A sockets were spurred off the cooker outlet. Cooker exists fed from cooker outlet as well. What C rating do you give? What to say/report to customer?

During an inspection it was observed that twin flush sockets were installed on a finished engineering brick wall. The installer had simply left a half brick space for each socket resulting in no proper landing for the over-sized space. How would you remedy this?

I am having trouble getting the Thea Microwave sensor to calibrate properly for movement of a human walking below it. It is loosely fitted inside a 5ft twin led batten, corrosive type by Ansell. The leds are fitted to a steel tray inside the luminaire and when up in a single garage rafters...

Been asked if I could install a PIR detector to bring on luminaires in a meeting room which has two way switching. I have seen this in new builds but this is an existing build. What happens when there is a meeting taking place and movement ceases. How is this arranged and what materials are...

My church has taken delivery of a 4.4kW commercial dish washer.  They are assuming it can be powered from the ring final circuit in the kitchen or from the boiler circuit. Am I correct in saying that this is "not on".  Should it not be wired back to the Dist Board?

I'm a retired spark who taught the 14th,15th and 16th editions to apprentices and to sparks updating their knowledge base/qualification.  I am self taught by studying since an apprentice, have gained C & G Full Tech Certificate back in the 60's.  I still read up and have a copy of the 18th...

Hello I was asked to find out why a purchased replacement lamp for a GU10 downlighter did not work. When I delved into the scenario, it turned out the guy had bought a mains led lamp with mushroom style pins whereas the existing one was a 12V plain pin style. Should I advise him to get his...

I've had at least four visits over two years from Gas Board to a Potterton Boiler which has to be re-pressurised at least once per week.  Wonder if it can ever be fixed.  I was away for four days and the system pressure dropped to zero.  Pipes below floor show no sign of leaks.  Is it possible...

I am a retired spark, asked by a friend to informally inspect a 15 year old installation in a luxury flat.  A beautiful installation except there is a gap of only about 12 inches in front of the main switchboard and water storage tank on opposite wall inside the utility cupboard. This would make...

Crompton 4 ft LED tubes cost £!2 and come with an instruction leaflet and a starter switch.  I believe this starter is simply a short inside.  I fitted four in a 4ft by 2ft modular luminaire last week and all was fine. A friend bought the same type and was advised by the young guy at the...

For a hand drier in a bathroom, is a unswitched fused connection unit acceptable?

What is the procedure after code C1, C2 and C3 faults found have been rectified.  Should there be a charge for retesting/inspection? What form does a retest form take to give a clean bill of health? Thanks

Four times in the last two weeks, I've had to return the above grid switches to my supplier.  Cost, time and bother! Any others had this issue, and should I write to MK complaining/reporting? The terminal screw is very tight and in some cases impossible to turn. Anyone else like to see ALL...

When I started my apprenticeship in the 60's we quoted a nominal voltage of .250V in any calculations. A bit later we quoted 240V. More recently we are talking 230volts. What gives? I would love a good historical answer to this please. Cheers

When wiring by means of PVC/PVC cable, Is it standard practice to secure earth sleeving by means of pvc tape at the crutch of terminations? I wish they would do away with bare cpc's and insulate the cpc! If they did, I reckon it would save time when you add up the extra minutes per termination...

After trying the above, at deep square switch boxes on the ceiling or on the wall, I have come to the conclusion that the safest method is to use the 50 Amp Crabtree pull switch on the ceiling, or the rectangular style MK 50Amp switch on the wall. I think this matter has been neglected by...

Dear admin Is there a separate forum for Scots sparks? I listened to the 2 hour grilling on the parliamentary hoc committee meeting on Monday and it was largely irrelevant to Scots sparks who work to Building Regulations (Scotland) and Part P is not applicable. The main points were objections...

What should be the stages involved after a failed EICR is issued for a commercial premises?

Dear all within our industry You know, I've been suspicious about the authenticity of the need for CFL's since they were forced upon us here in the UK. http://northerntruthseeker.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-low-energy-light-bulbs-fraud-low.html I curse the day they were made and the above blog...