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Regulation for rewring back box?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

Hi, I'm currently holding an MEng in EEE, but not a certified electrician otherwise. 

I want to install smart light switches in my “dwelling”. I have encountered issues where the current back box is standard 74x74x25, but I would need extend it to 86x86x38 for the new light switch. 

I want check do I need part P certificate, or planning permission? How to be compliant while minimise the cost? (I have no experience in dwelling electrical work)

PS: The dwelling is a new build (2019) 
PPS: I might consider obtain required certificate(s) myself if is not too expensive. Since I like do these kind of work, so it might be cost effective in the long term. 

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  • 0

    benforone: 
    Thank you all for these amazing insights. After some digestion and further inspection of the current back box. Here is my update and I think is on the brighter side.

    The back box is type “dry lining” mounted in a stud wall. After removing the back box, there is about 55 mm before interfering with the back box on the other side of the wall. So I think all I need to do is buy and fit a "1 gang, dry lining, 45mm back box" 

    In term of the current wiring, there is 2 wire in the common, 1 wire in the other side. Seems like "loop at switch" to me? And all earth and neutral are connected. 

    To wire the new switch, I think I should:
    - connect the two common wires to the common port
    - connect the other brown to the L1 port (light switch output)
    - connect all the neutral wires to the neutral port
    - leave earth untouched

    Furthermore, I'm thinking to use "wago" to connect the earth wires. It seems to take less space than terminal blocks. Is there any disadvantage to this approach?

    PS: upon inspection, I noticed insulation of the earth wire were cut or maybe just sleeved in? Want to check if this is standard practice? 

    The workmanship is a little rough, but everything looks OK. I think that you have the right plan of action.

Reply
  • 0

    benforone: 
    Thank you all for these amazing insights. After some digestion and further inspection of the current back box. Here is my update and I think is on the brighter side.

    The back box is type “dry lining” mounted in a stud wall. After removing the back box, there is about 55 mm before interfering with the back box on the other side of the wall. So I think all I need to do is buy and fit a "1 gang, dry lining, 45mm back box" 

    In term of the current wiring, there is 2 wire in the common, 1 wire in the other side. Seems like "loop at switch" to me? And all earth and neutral are connected. 

    To wire the new switch, I think I should:
    - connect the two common wires to the common port
    - connect the other brown to the L1 port (light switch output)
    - connect all the neutral wires to the neutral port
    - leave earth untouched

    Furthermore, I'm thinking to use "wago" to connect the earth wires. It seems to take less space than terminal blocks. Is there any disadvantage to this approach?

    PS: upon inspection, I noticed insulation of the earth wire were cut or maybe just sleeved in? Want to check if this is standard practice? 

    The workmanship is a little rough, but everything looks OK. I think that you have the right plan of action.

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