Why Use A Professional Electrician?

The video above was produced by Electrical Safety First - the leading UK charity campaigning for electrical safety. It formed part of their #DontDieForDIY campaign.

It illustrates 2 of the 3 main things you should think about when deciding whether to do your own electrical work.

1. Electricity is extremely dangerous
The word to remember is B.E.E.F. Electricity can cause:

• Burns
• Electric Shock
• Explosions
• Fire

Electrical currents as low as 0.1 amp are lethal. Compare that figure to the 13 amp fuse found in an everyday plug and it's clear that an average electrical installation is potentially deadly dangerous. With that in mind, it's important to only attempt electrical work if you are very confident you know what you are doing. Perhaps you are. But is your confidence misplaced?

2. DIY electrical advice can be unreliable
The video above parodies typical internet DIY videos. Of course, in such videos the instructor usually does not come to any harm. So you might think it's safe to follow their advice. However, you should ask yourself some questions first:

• Is the instructor a registered electrician?
• Has the instructor taken safety precautions but failed to tell you exactly how to take the same precautions?
• Is the instructor working on a system identical to your own? Or are they working on a very different system, perhaps in a different country?
• Does the instructor teach you not only how to make it WORK but also how to make it SAFE? The two do not always meet.
• Does the instructor teach you how to make the installation comply with all relevant safety regulations?
  
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​3. Some electrical work MUST be referred to your local Building Control.
Even if you are completely confident you can safely carry out your own electrical work it's important to know that some electrical work MUST be referred to your local public Building Control BEFORE work begins. They will then arrange for your work to be inspected to ensure it is safe and complies with the Building Regulations. Such work includes:

• The installation of a new circuit(s)
• The replacement of a consumer unit (or fusebox)
• ANY electrical work carried out in a room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.
• ANY electrical work carried out in a room containing a bath or shower - inside the area in Figure 1.

It is important to note that you may be required to complete extensive paperwork and are likely to be charged hundreds of pounds for Building Control to approve your work.

4. Would you prefer to hire a professional electrician?
If you decide you do not want the risk or the hassle of doing your own electrical work, you can avoid both by hiring a professional electrician. SafeSwitch Electrical are registered with the NICEIC. We are regularly assessed to ensure that all our work is to a high standard and complies with all relevant regulations.

For peace of mind about your electrical work, feel free to contact us.