As a time served electrician of some 40 years plus, I initially welcomed Part P as a way of preventing accidents caused by semi-skilled people dabbling with something they think they understand. However, as correspondence to your letters page shows, it is not very effective.
Recently, an acquaintance of mine, who is a retired maintenance sparks, wired a house for a friend. He notified the local authority (Ashford Borough Council in Kent) before starting work and paid an £80 inspection fee for Part P. At the end of the job, he called and asked if I would test and issue certificates. I said I would be able to issue a periodic certificate only, but enquired why no completion certificate was available. He said he had no test equipment available but assumed the contractor who the council sent to look at his first and second fix work would test and certify the installation. Not so. They merely issued a tick sheet confirming that the wiring complied with Building Regs routing. That is apparently good enough for the council. Why do we bother?
On a different matter, some 18 months ago the ‘brains trust’ of the government, IEE etc forced a change to our wiring colours, against the wishes of most in the trade, under the guise of European harmonisation.
Recently, while on a trip to France, I was amused to see red cable and flammable flexible conduit on sale in a large DIY store. And, on returning, I picked up a copy of a magazine from a well known wholesaler (Newey & Eyre). Inside was the latest offering from Weidmuller, a multi-way three phase distribution block with cables clearly coloured brown, black, red and blue. With whom are we harmonising? I don’t think I can take much more of this Bovine scatter!
Malcolm Reynolds, Omega Technical Services, Lydd, Kent
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
Postscript
Malcolm Reynolds wins this month’s drink vouchers.
