Thomas Chaney Electrical Services

What is the best IP rating for outdoor lighting?

The answer to this is the greatest rating you can find. Most outdoor lights tend to be IP66 or higher. I wouldn't advise any less than that otherwise you will get problems later on down the line with tripping etc. Most fittings have the rating on their packaging so be sure to double check and many manufacturers say their products are for outdoors but are not the correct rating for being completely exposed to the elements.

How often should a house be rewired?

In my opinion a house should be rewired every 25-30 years. However I have come across properties that are way over this time period and the cabling is still in good condition. The key to the time period is the quality of the equipment used in the system when it was installed. Poor quality cable means it won’t last as long once energised.

How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit / fuse board?

It all depends on the size of the installation and number of circuits but I would say a range between £450-£650 would cover most homes. The cost also varies depending on if you require an SPD and what type. There can also be extra costs in terms of correcting earthing arrangements as quite a lot of property’s have no water/gas bonding or it is the incorrect size for their incoming supply.