The unexpected is always lurking in this trade.....

Evans Electric · Dec 22, 2017

Neighbour asks me to replace a 2 gang dimmer switch ....original has blown . one gang dims a centre light the other dims a wall light .

Kill lighting circuit ... remove dimmer plate , 1 dimmer has two X 1.0mm reds ...the other has 2 X 2.5 mm reds , still live . .... ring main circuit .

So wall light has been wired in 2.5mm straight from a socket , 3 plated somewhere with L & S/W taken to the dimmer switch .

ProDave · Dec 22, 2017

I did an CU change recently, replacing two old rewireables.

Top CU had one fuse, a 15A carrier with what looked like 30A wire in it, feeding the bottom fuse box. Bottom fuse box fed the shower, cooker and all the lights. Thankfully the 15A carrier did not overheat, well it probably did but asbestos and ceramic don't burn.

All 4 socket circuits were lollipops.

Evans Electric · Dec 22, 2017

Its amazing really , you can go to a job in the morning where its all wired to , say , the 16th edition , all done professionally and still as the sparky left it , nothing altered or cogded up .

In the afternoon you go to the next job to find Mr DIY and his son-in-law Mr Know -it All have been let loose and you are wishing you weren't there.