Two simple electric questions

StiffOldMan

Hi,

I've just recently moved house, my DIY in electrics is pretty much nil. I've two issues I'm trying to do myself. Put up a large bathroom mirror cabinet, but on the other side of the plaster wall there is a light switch. How do I go about finding where the electric wires are before I drill holes on the bathroom side of the wall? Is a detector from some hardware store the only way to find out?

Secondly, I’ll looking to replace an outdoor back light which is about 8 foot up the wall at the back of the house. I want to bring it up another 6 or so foot. I plan to take the light down so that I only have the electric cable, then extend the cable up the back of the house. How do you extend an electric cable safely? If I get a new light, I presume I strip the electric cable down to expose the neutral, live and earth and cable each one to the relevant parts of the new light?

sky6

Firstly I'm not an Electrician, But there's no easy answer as there's a lot of questions like. Is it a bungalow or Two story. Block Walls or studded. What does the switch do.
Cables are usually run through the Attic or between Floors and then to Switches and Fittings through PVC Ducts. It's unlikely you'd drill into it but not impossible. Done it a few times myself.
Without the right test tools you could try this. Switch on the switch in question until you see what it powers or lights up. Then go to the Consumer Board and turn the Breakers off one by one and on again until you identify which Breaker is providing the electricity for the light or unit in question. Then turn that Breaker off while you drill the Holes for the Cabinet.
That should be the first job sorted.

As regards the outdoor light, I assume you want to raise it up to the Eaves.
Now this time turn off all the power at the Consumer unit making sure the Outdoor light won't light when switched on.
A better job would be to rewire it through the Attic on a Sensor and remove the old cable. As Cables on the Front of a House always looks Naff and unprofessional.
But If you are going to extend the Cable make sure you connect like for like cable and rating and get a IP68 Watertight inline 3 pin connector for making the connection. available in any Electrical Wholesaler.

If your in any way unsure of what your doing get an electrician. It's only about an hours work so won't cost much.
Good luck with it.

Spocker

I don't wish to be smart, but you sound very unsure of what you are doing. Electricity can kill you, please pay a qualified electrician to do this work for you.

eeguy

You'll pay more for appropriate parts and tools than you will for an electrician.

PMBC

StiffOldMan wrote: »

Hi,

I've just recently moved house, my DIY in electrics is pretty much nil. I've two issues I'm trying to do myself. Put up a large bathroom mirror cabinet, but on the other side of the plaster wall there is a light switch. How do I go about finding where the electric wires are before I drill holes on the bathroom side of the wall? Is a detector from some hardware store the only way to find out?

Secondly, I’ll looking to replace an outdoor back light which is about 8 foot up the wall at the back of the house. I want to bring it up another 6 or so foot. I plan to take the light down so that I only have the electric cable, then extend the cable up the back of the house. How do you extend an electric cable safely? If I get a new light, I presume I strip the electric cable down to expose the neutral, live and earth and cable each one to the relevant parts of the new light?

While I agree with poster that you need to be very careful with electricity there are a few simple prelims you can do. Turn on light at switch in adjoining room then find which trip switch on elcb controls that light and 'trip' it out. Next, using an insulated screwdriver, open/unscrew the light switch, keeping away from wires, pull on switch cover plate and that should allow a little movement. You should see the wires and where they are coming from. In most cases they will be coming vertically from above. If two-storey you can lift the floorboards above to confirm or if bungalow, in the attic. This will give you an idea in relation to the direction and location of the electrics behind where you are going to drill.
Hope that helps.

Luckysasha

sky6 wrote: »

Firstly I'm not an Electrician,

Leave it at that and stop giving advise on something you clearly know nothing about

sky6

Luckysasha wrote: »

sky6 wrote: »

Firstly I'm not an Electrician,

Leave it at that and stop giving advise on something you clearly know nothing about

Who said I know nothing about Electricity, All i said is I'm not an electrician.

eeguy

sky6 wrote: »

Luckysasha wrote: »

Who said I know nothing about Electricity, All i said is I'm not an electrician.

You admit you dont know what youre talking about yet you're giving anonymous advice to a guy who admits he is totally inexperienced.

"Knowing about electricity" is not a qualification.

Luckysasha

sky6 wrote: »

Luckysasha wrote: »

Who said I know nothing about Electricity, All i said is I'm not an electrician.

Yep and I had a lesson in a 737 simulator but guess what I'm not a pilot.

irishkopite 2011

Just a heads up for the op, it's illegal for someone to undertake electrical work who is not a registered electrical contractor.

Kristopherus

irishkopite 2011 wrote: »

Just a heads up for the op, it's illegal for someone to undertake electrical work who is not a registered electrical contractor.

And who's policing all the thousands of minor domestic electricity work thats going on every day of the week, to check if sparky is reci or not?

TheChizler

irishkopite 2011 wrote: »

Just a heads up for the op, it's illegal for someone to undertake electrical work who is not a registered electrical contractor.

Isn't that to be paid to do it? But your own home is fine bar the fuse box basically?

OP first one not a bother just make sure the switch isn't live before drilling. The outside light I wouldn't attempt myself though. Maybe if you're getting a new one mount it yourself but get someone to do the wiring.

sky6

eeguy wrote: »

sky6 wrote: »

You admit you dont know what youre talking about yet you're giving anonymous advice to a guy who admits he is totally inexperienced.

"Knowing about electricity" is not a qualification.

How do you come to that conclusion from what I've said. All I've said is that I'm not an Electrician. At no part of my post did I say I didn't know what I'm talking about. I've supervised many electricians during my working years.
What the op was proposing is not beyond a diyer applying a degree of safety.

Wouldn't it serve the op better if you answered his query ( if you know how) rather than poking your nose into someone else's post.

Now it's time to move on and help someone else.

Luckysasha

sky6 wrote: »

eeguy wrote: »

How do you come to that conclusion from what I've said. All I've said is that I'm not an Electrician. At no part of my post did I say I didn't know what I'm talking about. I've supervised many electricians during my working years.

Unfortunately this still doesn't qualify you to give out advice on electricity. Judging by your previous posts you seem to know a little about a lot of construction subjects but not a whole lot about one in particular. Giving advice about concrete foundations and noisy toilets is fine but leave the electricity to the qualified lads who spent 4 to 5 years doing an apprenticeship and has years of knowledge and experience since. Try spending a day with me and see first hand the damage amateurs playing electricians can do. Most popular excuse we hear is " well my mate said it would be OK and he knows about this kind of stuff"

irishkopite 2011

Kristopherus wrote: »

And who's policing all the thousands of minor domestic electricity work thats going on every day of the week, to check if sparky is reci or not?

There is nobody checking but,It would be up to the person getting the electrician in to ask are they registered or check safe electric. It's just for insurance and to show they are component to do the job. I'm sure if there was an electrical fire the insurance would go over everything with a fine tooth comb, I know it's a slim chance but theres still a chance

irishkopite 2011

TheChizler wrote: »

Isn't that to be paid to do it? But your own home is fine bar the fuse box basically?

This is not true you are limited to minor electrical works which is swapping a switch, light or socket. But there is nothing stopping you doing working and saying that it was like that when the OP moved into the house

TheChizler

irishkopite 2011 wrote: »

TheChizler wrote: »

Isn't that to be paid to do it? But your own home is fine bar the fuse box basically?

This is not true you are limited to minor electrical works which is swapping a switch, light or socket. But there is nothing stopping you doing working and saying that it was like that when the OP moved into the house

Basically yeah that's what I mean.

chris445

Luckysasha wrote: »

sky6 wrote: »

eeguy wrote: »

How do you come to that conclusion from what I've said. All I've said is that I'm not an Electrician. At no part of my post did I say I didn't know what I'm talking about. I've supervised many electricians during my working years.

Unfortunately this still doesn't qualify you to give out advice on electricity. Judging by your previous posts you seem to know a little about a lot of construction subjects but not a whole lot about one in particular. Giving advice about concrete foundations and noisy toilets is fine but leave the electricity to the qualified lads who spent 4 to 5 years doing an apprenticeship and has years of knowledge and experience since. Try spending a day with me and see first hand the damage amateurs playing electricians can do. Most popular excuse we hear is " well my mate said it would be OK and he knows about this kind of stuff"

Should they not go to an engineer/architect or plumber who spent 4/5 years in learning about these things too?

From now on should any questions in the DIY forum be answered by professionals only who have studied the trade?

If we want to change a door lock should we ignore all advise unless it is from a carpenter who studied for 4/5 years in the trade?


These are 2 fairly simple tasks and the OP asked for and was provided with good and SAFE instructions on how it can be done.
Whether he is confident and competent enough to do the job correctly and safely is his decision.

However I would reiterate the advice that if you are any way unsure that you can complete the job safely at least speak with a qualified electrician.
I would advise the same for all DIY works and not just electrical issues.

Luckysasha

It's simple Chris445 something goes wrong with a foundation you get a crack in the wall. Something goes wrong with your noisy toilet and you get wet. Something goes wrong when people are following "advice from their mates" when working with electricity well it can result in death.

abyss

I cant give you advice what you should to do. But I can tell you what I was doing in similar scenario:

- Checked location of wiring at attic (in meaning WHERE it goes down)
- Bought cheap "wireless" sensor for locate electricity (on car boot sale, 2€ - similar I saw at market promotions, they are big, powered by 9V battery and can recognize metal in 4-5cm range. AC searching option does not work too well). I do few tests on other, know wire. It was really crappy, and give many false indications - but I'm still alive
- I have 2 another "close contact" sensors - they are show electricity line (L) when move close to wire. Checked on drill bit - no problems.
- I have 1 typical "contact - probe" sensor for (L) lines - no sign of electeicity on drill - so I was happy.
NOTE: screwdriver shaped "contact - probe" can be DEADLY if is faulty/shortcut! Never ever try this with no persons who observe you and can switch off circuits.

Of course you can be killed and I don't want to be responsible - I just describe my story