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Updating Your Home’s Electrical Fittings? 5 Dos & Don’ts
Consider these key factors when installing or updating your home's electric system to avoid costly mistakes
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Whether you’re updating a few new switches and sockets, or installing an entire new home electrical system, it pays to plan your electrical layout needs – such as where you’ll need plugs, USB chargers and light switches. It’s also useful to give yourself time to choose the right style of electrical fixtures and fittings to suit your room schemes. This way, you’ll be guaranteed an efficient and customised electrical plan that’s entirely unique to your home.
However, before you start tackling any electrical updates yourself, take some tips from the super-smart Schneider Electric UK Electrician Partners, who offer up key considerations to take into account before doing any work. “Getting a professional in is by far the best course of action when it comes to any electrical work,” says Phill Ratcliffe, a Schneider UK registered electrician. “A professional does it for a living and can do it a lot faster and safer. They have all the tools and knowledge to do the job.’
Read on for the top dos and don’ts when it comes to planning any electrical work.
However, before you start tackling any electrical updates yourself, take some tips from the super-smart Schneider Electric UK Electrician Partners, who offer up key considerations to take into account before doing any work. “Getting a professional in is by far the best course of action when it comes to any electrical work,” says Phill Ratcliffe, a Schneider UK registered electrician. “A professional does it for a living and can do it a lot faster and safer. They have all the tools and knowledge to do the job.’
Read on for the top dos and don’ts when it comes to planning any electrical work.
DO Consider Safety First
Many of us like to consider ourselves competent DIYers, but although changing a power socket may seem like a simple task if taking the basic safety precautions, it’s not always clear what potential hazards may be lurking in your property. For anything more than wiring a plug or fitting a new dimmer switch, hiring a qualified electrician should be a must. “Without a doubt, the biggest potential risk from doing electrical work yourself is, of course, getting electrocuted,” says Phill. “Without the correct test equipment to prove that a circuit is dead, one touch is all it takes. Electricity is our friend when we need it but deadly at the same time when it goes wrong.”
It’s also worth bearing in mind that you should never mix water and electricity, so any switches in bathrooms or near kitchen sinks should be dealt with by a professional.
Make sure your earthing is up to scratch. If you’re planning on updating your old plastic switches with smart new designs, you must ensure that your existing wiring on the lighting circuits has earth running to the switches, otherwise you could risk an accident.
Many of us like to consider ourselves competent DIYers, but although changing a power socket may seem like a simple task if taking the basic safety precautions, it’s not always clear what potential hazards may be lurking in your property. For anything more than wiring a plug or fitting a new dimmer switch, hiring a qualified electrician should be a must. “Without a doubt, the biggest potential risk from doing electrical work yourself is, of course, getting electrocuted,” says Phill. “Without the correct test equipment to prove that a circuit is dead, one touch is all it takes. Electricity is our friend when we need it but deadly at the same time when it goes wrong.”
It’s also worth bearing in mind that you should never mix water and electricity, so any switches in bathrooms or near kitchen sinks should be dealt with by a professional.
Make sure your earthing is up to scratch. If you’re planning on updating your old plastic switches with smart new designs, you must ensure that your existing wiring on the lighting circuits has earth running to the switches, otherwise you could risk an accident.
DO Hire a Professional
It can be tempting to tackle jobs yourself to save money, but more often than not, attempting to do electrical work on your own (or with the help of a friend) can end up costing more in the long run as you may have to hire a professional to fix your mistakes. You may also be running the risk of potential future problems, such as electrical fires.
Also, in some instances, the electrical work being carried out will need to comply with building regulations and must therefore be notified to building control. If this is not done, you may have trouble selling your property when the time comes. “There is no skirting round this, it is the law and you could face hefty fines if you don’t act accordingly and use a qualified person to carry out the work,” says Phill. “An electrician who is registered with a government-approved body such as NAPIT, NICEIC or STROMA will declare the work for a much lower cost than if you were to do it yourself.”
Find a local qualified electrician. Click here to find a Schneider Electrician Partner on Houzz, and you’ll have peace of mind that the work has been done safely and lawfully.
It can be tempting to tackle jobs yourself to save money, but more often than not, attempting to do electrical work on your own (or with the help of a friend) can end up costing more in the long run as you may have to hire a professional to fix your mistakes. You may also be running the risk of potential future problems, such as electrical fires.
Also, in some instances, the electrical work being carried out will need to comply with building regulations and must therefore be notified to building control. If this is not done, you may have trouble selling your property when the time comes. “There is no skirting round this, it is the law and you could face hefty fines if you don’t act accordingly and use a qualified person to carry out the work,” says Phill. “An electrician who is registered with a government-approved body such as NAPIT, NICEIC or STROMA will declare the work for a much lower cost than if you were to do it yourself.”
Find a local qualified electrician. Click here to find a Schneider Electrician Partner on Houzz, and you’ll have peace of mind that the work has been done safely and lawfully.
DO Plan Ahead
If you’re planning to have your house rewired, take some time to design the layout of sockets and switches before you renovate, to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. “The best place to start is by deciding what you’re going to be plugging in,” advises Phill. “How many appliances do you have? What electrical items do you use most often and where? For example, behind the TV you need at least two double sockets as a minimum.”
When it comes to positions of light switches, Phill also suggests taking time to consider the flow through the room. “In a room with one entrance, the light switch needs to be near the door so it can be turned on and off as you enter,” he says. “If a room has multiple entrances and exits, you may want to consider having a switch at each door.”
Set a realistic budget. Whether you’re rewiring the entire house or simply revamping electrical fixtures, the cost of new sockets and switches must be incorporated into your budget, along with any installation costs. “Work on each room individually – trying to do multiple rooms at once can soon spiral out of control if you’re not on top of your budget,” says Phill.
If you’re planning to have your house rewired, take some time to design the layout of sockets and switches before you renovate, to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. “The best place to start is by deciding what you’re going to be plugging in,” advises Phill. “How many appliances do you have? What electrical items do you use most often and where? For example, behind the TV you need at least two double sockets as a minimum.”
When it comes to positions of light switches, Phill also suggests taking time to consider the flow through the room. “In a room with one entrance, the light switch needs to be near the door so it can be turned on and off as you enter,” he says. “If a room has multiple entrances and exits, you may want to consider having a switch at each door.”
Set a realistic budget. Whether you’re rewiring the entire house or simply revamping electrical fixtures, the cost of new sockets and switches must be incorporated into your budget, along with any installation costs. “Work on each room individually – trying to do multiple rooms at once can soon spiral out of control if you’re not on top of your budget,” says Phill.
DON’T Forget the Visible Parts
Where once electrical fittings were something you hid behind doors or furniture, they are now becoming very much part of the decor, thanks to new innovative designs. From contemporary brushed metal finishes, to minimal, Scandi-style designs, switches and sockets can help convey a certain look and bring character to a space.
“The one piece of the electrical system that is often overlooked is the consumer unit. In most homes, the consumer unit is concealed inside a cupboard or boxed-in to keep it out of sight. However, the Schneider Easy9 consumer unit is different to all others,” says Phill.
Customise your electrical fittings. Bring unique personality to your home with Schneider’s consumer unit that features a magnetic cover, allowing you to add anything you like, from a family photo, a calendar, or even your child’s drawings.
Where once electrical fittings were something you hid behind doors or furniture, they are now becoming very much part of the decor, thanks to new innovative designs. From contemporary brushed metal finishes, to minimal, Scandi-style designs, switches and sockets can help convey a certain look and bring character to a space.
“The one piece of the electrical system that is often overlooked is the consumer unit. In most homes, the consumer unit is concealed inside a cupboard or boxed-in to keep it out of sight. However, the Schneider Easy9 consumer unit is different to all others,” says Phill.
Customise your electrical fittings. Bring unique personality to your home with Schneider’s consumer unit that features a magnetic cover, allowing you to add anything you like, from a family photo, a calendar, or even your child’s drawings.
DON’T Forget These Key Places for Sockets
As we purchase more and more items that need recharging, the need for more sockets and USB points around our home grows. In busy family spaces where everyone congregates, such as the kitchen, a deluge of charging devices can clutter worktops. However, with a well-thought-out electrical plan you can create a dedicated, concealed charging area, such as inside a drawer or on a shelf to free up space.
Other common forgotten spots for your plugs might be within easy reach of the sofa, so you can charge devices while you relax, while a bedside socket with a USB fitting is essential.
Consider future-proofing your home. If you’re planning a huge electrical rewire of your entire home, it’s worth thinking about installing a fully-automated system with regards to the lighting, sockets and heating. “This would be a dream job to do and would allow the homeowner to become energy-efficient by helping reduce electrical consumption, which in turn helps the environment,” says Phill.
More: Click here to find a local Schneider Electric electrician in your area.
Tell us: Have you fitted sockets in any unusual, yet useful spots? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments.
As we purchase more and more items that need recharging, the need for more sockets and USB points around our home grows. In busy family spaces where everyone congregates, such as the kitchen, a deluge of charging devices can clutter worktops. However, with a well-thought-out electrical plan you can create a dedicated, concealed charging area, such as inside a drawer or on a shelf to free up space.
Other common forgotten spots for your plugs might be within easy reach of the sofa, so you can charge devices while you relax, while a bedside socket with a USB fitting is essential.
Consider future-proofing your home. If you’re planning a huge electrical rewire of your entire home, it’s worth thinking about installing a fully-automated system with regards to the lighting, sockets and heating. “This would be a dream job to do and would allow the homeowner to become energy-efficient by helping reduce electrical consumption, which in turn helps the environment,” says Phill.
More: Click here to find a local Schneider Electric electrician in your area.
Tell us: Have you fitted sockets in any unusual, yet useful spots? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments.
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
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