Swapping light switches

[sam]

Greetings all

I've had some doors rehung indoors and need to move the light switches as they are now hidden when the door opens. I have access to the cabling in the loft but is this something that a DIYer can do or do the new regulations require an electrician? Thanks for your help

Sam

[John Rumm]

You can do that since it does not fall under the new regulations (i.e. it is a "minor work"). The exception would be if the switch were in a bathroom or kitchen.

[david lang]

Hi John

So what jobs are OK and which aren't? I though that if it involved a new cable it was banned by the Part P Gestapo. So changing a switch/socket for a new one was OK. but as the OP want's to move the switches to the other side of the door opening it must involve a new cable?

Dave

[John Rumm]

AIUI the following are OK:

1 Changing accessories

2 Adding a spur to existing circuit power circuit

3 Adding socket to existing ring

4 Replacing a cable section in an existing circuit

5 Adding a lighting point or switch

6 Any amount of life threatening bodgery with "appliances", extension leads, multiway adaptors

7 Changing a CU fuse, resetting MCB etc.

Things verboten under possible penalty of being shoved up the orifice of the deputy prime minister include:

8 Adding a complete new circuit (even if it is the better/safer alternative to copious application of 2 and 3 above)

9 Work in restricted locations[1] (i.e. bathroom and kitchen [2])

10 Work that messes with the CU, Meter, Tails etc (although again open to discussion if you want to do 4 above on the first/last section of a circuit).

11 Upgrading earth bonding to modern standards - not because it is in itself dangerous, but because it would normally required some of 9 above.

[1] Some debate as to if changing an accessory like for like is allowed [2] Work in a bedroom with on-suite facilities may or may not be covered depending on the wind direction

So all in all a bit of a dogs breakfast!