Why I do my own electrics.

[Alan Reynolds]

My neighbour had an EV point installed. Now I know there is a minimum radius for SWA and this isn’t it. Also his spacing of cleats leaves a lot to be desired, as does lazily running he cable along the wall instead of using a few mor metres of cable and going ceiling height where he could have got the radii correct. I would have put the cleats up the other way so that the screws support things although it’s a personal thing. He Moaned about the cross bonding which is in fact correct and also said the cut out fuse was only 60 amp. It’s a 100 amp. £900 worth! I could have done it for under £500.

 

[angellonewolf]

not that i know the specs it needs to be

the bend looks tight the spacing to be fair its a garage but for looks id have gone a little higher on the cement line and cliped every brick joint go to roof and unless there is a joist to go a long you would have to jump the runs down from the sockets light switch

 

[Dave-sparks]

I would have put the cleats up the other way so that the screws support things although it’s a personal thing.

The screws are supporting the cable whichever way up you put the cleats.

 

[Ubique]

I guess with blockwork like that, he didn't think the aesthetics were a priority, the conduit is entering the switch in an odd place too.
I agree about the bend radius - would the house owner have been happy if he'd have bolstered the corner off the brick though?

 

[Trevorleach]

What is the smaller cable he has crushed in the clip?

 

[brightspark]

the cable is best under slung and easier to cliphe could have taken a touch of mortar out of the joint on the corner to reduce the radius

 

[Alan Reynolds]

not that i know the specs it needs to be

the bend looks tight the spacing to be fair its a garage but for looks id have gone a little higher on the cement line and cliped every brick joint go to roof and unless there is a joist to go a long you would have to jump the runs down from the sockets light switch

There was a nice clear run along the ceiling. Away from any obstructions. As it is he’s gone over two water pipes, one of which is a hot pipe.

 

[sparkysy]

I was always taught to put the screw at the bottom under the cable, this way if the cleat fails the cable still has some support! If I do an EV install I use the Linian fire proof clips not cleats, and that bend is horrific!

 

[Alan Reynolds]

the cable is best under slung and easier to cliphe could have taken a touch of mortar out of the joint on the corner to reduce the radius

As I say, it’s a personal thing. It’s so tight that the outer sheath has gone white with the stretch. That’s not a light reflection.

 

[angellonewolf]

There was a nice clear run along the ceiling. Away from any obstructions. As it is he’s gone over two water pipes, one of which is a hot pipe.

View attachment 331143

we cant see that from photos

and only thing tyhat bugs me on that is the clock is not stright and why not move the clock than spend time bending a pipe round a clock and make it as close to the other pipe/conduit to make it out of place

 

[Alan Reynolds]

we cant see that from photos

and only thing tyhat bugs me on that is the clock is not stright and why not move the clock than spend time bending a pipe round a clock and make it as close to the other pipe/conduit to make it out of place

They put the clock back after bending the pipe. It was straight before.

 

[mike os]

I presume you also do your testing and notification?

 

[willie.macleod]

What is the smaller cable he has crushed in the clip?

Data cable reading current on the incoming mains so the charge point knows when to throttle the charge back (when electric shower goes on etc)

 

[AVI_8]

There was a nice clear run along the ceiling. Away from any obstructions. As it is he’s gone over two water pipes, one of which is a hot pipe.

View attachment 331143

That made me almost wet myself, talk about no common sense!, they didn’t even put the clock back straight

 

[brightspark]

if the ceiling your on about is the one with the clock its suspended and the tiles lift out easily. the cable could of been run above that

 

[Dave-sparks]

There was a nice clear run along the ceiling. Away from any obstructions. As it is he’s gone over two water pipes, one of which is a hot pipe.

What's wrong with going over water pipes? You've got to get past them somehow?
And why does it being a hot water pipe make any difference?

Domestic hot water pipes will operate somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees, SWA has a maximum operating temperature of either 70 or 90 degrees depending on its type of insulation.

 

[Dave-sparks]

. £900 worth! I could have done it for under £500.

What is your cost breakdown for this price?

I don't install EV chargers, but I've got a reasonable understanding of tbe process and the regulations surrounding the job and honestly £900 sounds a little cheap to me.

 

[willie.macleod]

He Moaned about the cross bonding which is in fact correct and also said the cut out fuse was only 60 amp. It’s a 100 amp. £900 worth! I could have done it for under £500.

Do you know if he had to install an earth rod for the unit? That can add to the price if you have a bit of labour faffing around with that and if he installed a unit which doesn't require an earth rod they tend to be a bit more expensive. Also the cut out fuse might only be 60A but the holder may be rated for and marked 100A on the outside which can throw folk off, did you pull the holder and double check the actual fuse?

 

[AVI_8]

As far as doing your own electrics go I like to do the labour intensive work, like the cable runs etc, having spoken to the electrician and agree that he’s happy with that, then get him to check the install and do the final connections and sign it off.
I‘ve not yet had a spark who’s said that their not happy with that, though if I’m correct all of the work signed off should have been done by the electrician signing it off, I wouldn’t even contemplate doing that though if I didn’t know what I was doing, and I research what I need to do before doing it then get the electrician to confirm or amend as necessary before starting.
For example running loads of conduit and pulling the wires through is DIY able, as is connecting the boxes to the conduit, that’s the major part of an install and will cut the costs massively, I’m not messing with CU’s though other than fitting the box to the conduit, that’s taking the mick and I don’t think many electricians would be impressed with that.

 

[MetalMonkey]

What's wrong with going over water pipes? You've got to get past them somehow?
And why does it being a hot water pipe make any difference?

Domestic hot water pipes will operate somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees, SWA has a maximum operating temperature of either 70 or 90 degrees depending on its type of insulation.

To be fair, cable clipped so it is resting on pipes annoys me too - it is just gash.

Usually there is enough room to get the cable behind the pipes without touching them, or route it a different way to avoid them with a bit of planning.
A lot of people seem to start a job and then work around the obstacles as they encounter them, rather than spend a few minutes working out a route first. Something about the five p's...