Little DIY help please...
 

Hello guys, currently painting my room, and I I want to replace my light switch and my plug sockets with new ones (current ones aren't in great shape), plus I want them in black, was just wondering if it's too hard for someone who has no experience doing this sort of thing?

Absolutely not. It is as easy as can be.

Just pull the fuse for your room first. :)

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I've replaced one of the sockets, and a light switch, in my house and I'm pretty sure the instructions told you everything you need to know. Just make sure the wires go the same terminals as on the old sockets and you'll be ok.

Phew glad to hear that as would rather not pay someone to come and do it as man hours are pricey! http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/cry1.gif

I guess as long as I put everything off at the board and make sure there's no electricity going to me and use insulated tools I should be alright to follow some video guides from the net? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/smile1.gif

Yes, it's very simple once you make sure the wires aren't live.

I guess you can plug a light that is turned on into the outlet as a poorman's wire tester so you can make sure you flip the correct breaker.

Although, I am not sure how things are done in the UK or outside of standard US homes.

There's usually a great big switch by the fuse box which turns everything off. I say "fuse box" but our house doesn't have fuses, it has RCDs.

Really Cool Diode's?

Relay Controlled Datagrams.

Residual-Current Device - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device

Looking at that page it looks like they might not actually be RCDs, but another similar device.

I think a proper RCD is the thing you plug in when you're using an electric lawnmower etc.

when you do it just make sure that you leave the electricity on,use a non insulated screw driver, have sufficiently doused your clothes in petrol and ensure that it is a shell suit also have a good lick of the bare wires just so you know for sure that you have connected the wires correctly.

oh yes I almost forgot, ensure that you stream it live via web cam as I am very interested in seeing your "how to" guide as you do it. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/cool1.gif

Shut it you...http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/tongue1.gifhttp://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/laugh1.gif

Thanks for all the help so far guys, I'm also planning to switch out the ceiling light (currently have some daft chandelier thing which doesn't match the room at all, so going to switch it with something more modern and put an LED light in, do LED lights use a different fitting? And if I replace my light switch with a black dimmer switch, the dimmer will work with the LED light? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/blush1.gif

Depends.

If the dimmer uses PWM, then yes, if it is a varied resistance, then no.

All an RCD does is limit the leakage to ground by switching the circuit off.
They do nothing to limit the actual current through them.
Perhaps some form of current limiting device - or simple resetable circuit breakers?

like said before, pull the fuse and use a electricity testing screwdriver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_unit > actually, they should have RCDs these days

My light switch has arrived, before I install it though I need a way to test the electricity, is this ok?http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/smile1.gif

You don't need it if you switch Off the main switch at your fuse box, because that cuts everything off.

(BIG BOX WITH ON/OFF SWITCH, WHERE YOUR ELECTRIC METER IS, probably).

Just make sure anyone else in the house, knows what your doing, cos having someone switch the power back on when your sticking a screwdriver into the live and earth wires can really ruin your day. [rofl]

Damned good thing too! [thumbup]
Should save lives and warn of potential high resistent groundings that may not trip a fuse but supply enough energy to start a fire - for a little expense, it's a win, win situation!

Good news is that I managed to fit the light fitting no problem, was tricky to get the old one out though since it was cremated in, as such it doesn't sit perfect, if you push the actual unit (not the switch) part of it tries to go in the hole, I've taken a picture on my phone to try and show it....

Clicky

Do I need to do some plastering or something? Never plastered in my life...http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/blush1.gif