Domestic wiring - certs required

[Sheaf]

Quick question for all those who are electrically orientated, or even those up on the recent changes in the law.

I want to add a socket in my flat, which I'm perfectly happy to do myself. I can either break into the ringmain with a couple of 30A junction boxes, or can run a spur off one of the ringmain sockets.
I'm perfectly happy to do the work myself.

But, what do I need to do before selling the place to cover my back? Do I need to get it all checked/signed off now?

When we bought the place last year there was no mention of any checks on stuff like that, nor did anyone come in and look... even if they did look in future I cant see how anyone would be able to know what's original wiring and what's added.

[Ritchie]

Its been there snice i moved in.... honest

I'm not sure, but i've done things like that myself a few times, as long as your using the correct coloured and size of cables (blue & brown, 2.5mm)

I think you have issues when you start and find that the whole ring main is in out of date wire's etc.

My personal veiw would be get it done, and i don't worry about it, but then i'm not a qualified sparky

[xr4x4]

you can run a spur, but it can only be one single socket or double socket and must not be extended to any other sockets unless a FCU is in place.

also make sure the earth is shielded.

[steve-o]

Yeah, you can run a spur without the need for any checks or certificates. You can also change socket and light swtich fronts and light fittings as well as a few other small alterations which I forget without having to inform anyone.

Steve.

[Sheaf]

Yeah, I'm happy with installing it, it''s a 1hr job if I do it the junction box way (the ringmain cable run goes above the place I want to instal the socket - inside a built in wardrobe) ... it's just the legal side of it that I'm unsure about (HIPs and what not come selling time).
I cant realistically see people getting wiring schematics out and checking cable runs under floors/in loft spaces when people sell houses. They certainly didn't do when we bought our place, but that was pre - HIPs.

So, can I run the spur and not have any checks, but would need them if I broke into the ringmain? If so that's a pain as breaking into the ringmain is actually easier... running a spur I'll have to feed an extra cable down the cabletray in the wall, and through the loft, backtracking to above the position I want the new socket.

[Quiche81]

Yeah, you can run a spur without the need for any checks or certificates. You can also change socket and light swtich fronts and light fittings as well as a few other small alterations which I forget without having to inform anyone.

Steve.

Sums it up pretty well. Its a minor works from my point of view so notification wouldn't be required.

Notification is generally, new circuits and work in special locations. (Thats generally just to emphasise)