From Portable Appliance Testers To FLIR Cameras, More Homeowners Are Investing In Electrical Test Equipment For Projects
There has been a sharp rise in people doing their own electrical work. Despite buying the right equipment, many are unqualified and are putting themselves and others at risk.
Online, August 5, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Since the recession in 2008 there has been a sharp rise in the number of UK homeowners becoming DIY electricians. According to a report in Berkhamsted Today, over 60% of British people are trying to go DIY. This is despite, on average, unsafe electrics causing 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths every year.
The NICEIC, the UK's leading organisation for the electrical industry, have warned people that if you are not qualified you should not try to fix any electrical issues yourself. In addition to the dangers, you could also be breaking the law.
Despite this, some homeowners are investing in electrical testing equipment themselves. Mr J Fincham, a DIY enthusiast from Cambridge, has been teaching himself the trade so he can carry out work on his projects. "It started out just fixing things around the house, but now I'm doing up a my sons property, so I have invested in a portable appliance tester and a FLIR camera."
However, without official training and understanding of regulations, people like Jay are putting themselves and people around them at risk. This is not only physically, but legally. For example, if a homeowner is determined to carry out DIY electrical work, the work must be notified to a local authority building control department who will come and inspect the finished job.
Mr Fincham insists he's read up about the legal side of things, but it's highly likely most DIY electicans have not. Despite investing in the right equipment, people are still being advised to get any electrical work, no matter how small seen to by a professional electrician.