Electrical Materials
Cable, back boxes, consumer units, MCBs, RCBOs, and wiring accessories for a domestic extension, including what each component does and what to check when your electrician specifies it.
AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices): Do You Need One for Your Extension?
What an AFDD does, when BS 7671 makes it mandatory, and whether your extension needs one. UK prices around £100 per circuit installed.
Back Boxes: Metal Flush, Dry Lining, and the Depth Mistake That Costs You a Day
Complete UK guide to electrical back boxes: metal flush vs dry lining, depths from 16-47mm, earthing rules, prices from around 55p each, and the plasterboard offset calculation nobody explains.
Cable Sizing Guide: Which Cable Size Do You Need?
Decision guide for choosing between 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 4mm, 6mm, and 10mm twin-and-earth cable in a UK domestic extension. Covers derating through insulation, ring vs radial, and Part P.
Cable Trunking: Sizes, Fittings, and How to Run It
What cable trunking is, the UK sizes you'll see, BS EN 50085 fill rules, and how to route surface cables neatly. PVC mini-trunking from around £2-5/m.
Data Cable for UK Homes: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8 - What to Actually Buy
Plain-English guide to ethernet cable for UK extensions: why Cat6 is the standard, when Cat6a is worth the upgrade, why Cat7 and Cat8 are marketing traps, and the CCA cable scam to avoid.
Ceiling Roses: What They Are and How Lighting Loops Into Them
The white plastic ceiling rose is where a UK pendant light connects to the circuit. How loop-in wiring works, BS 67 ratings, sizes, and when to use a BESA box instead.
Conduit Clips: Sizes, Spacing, and How to Fix Conduit Properly
Plastic conduit clips and saddles secure oval and round conduit before plastering. Sizes, 300mm spacing rule, quantities, and prices from £1.10 a pack.
PVC Conduit: Oval vs Round, When You Need It, and the Cable-First Rule Your Electrician Knows
Complete UK guide to PVC conduit for domestic electrical work: oval for wall chases, round for surface runs, sizes, BS 7671 rules, and prices from around 44p per metre.
Consumer Units: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know Before Second Fix
The complete UK guide to consumer units (fuse boxes): dual RCD vs all-RCBO configurations, metal enclosure rules, SPD requirements, brands, and installed costs from £380-720.
Cooker Connection Units: Wiring a Hob, Oven or Range Cooker Correctly
A UK guide to cooker connection units (CCUs): when a CCU is required vs a cooker outlet plate, cable sizing for different load configurations, the 13A socket rule for separate hob and oven, positioning, and what to buy.
Earth Sleeving: The £6 Roll That Stops Your Extension Failing Inspection
Green/yellow PVC earth sleeving explained: why bare CPC must be covered, the two BS 7671 regulations that demand it, sizing by cable, and current UK prices from Screwfix, Toolstation, and TLC Direct.
Fused Connection Units: When to Use an FCU Instead of a Socket
A UK guide to fused connection units (FCUs): when Building Regulations require a hardwired connection, fuse ratings for different appliances, switched vs unswitched, where they go, and what to specify at first fix.
Heat-Shrink Tubing: The UK Electrician's Guide for Homeowners
What heat shrink tubing is, when it's a legal substitute for a junction box (it isn't), and what BS 7671 actually requires. UK pricing from £4.40 to £25 covered.
Immersion Heaters Explained: Types, Wiring, and How to Pick the Right Element
What an immersion heater is, the difference between copper and Incoloy elements, why the thermostat stays at 60C, and how it should be wired on a 20A radial circuit.
LED Downlights for Kitchen Extensions: Fire Rating, Spacing, CCT and What to Buy
The full UK guide to LED downlights: when fire-rated is legally required, IP65 for kitchens, 4000K vs 3000K, the ceiling-height ÷ 2 spacing rule, and current 2026 prices.
MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers): Ratings, Types, and Why Brand Matters
UK guide to MCBs: Type B vs Type C trip curves, correct ratings for every domestic circuit, brand compatibility rules, and retail prices from £1-5 each.
MICC Cable (Pyro): The Fire-Survival Cable Explained
What MICC cable is, how it works, where building control requires it, and why it costs far more than standard twin-and-earth wiring.
Pendant Light Fittings for Kitchen Islands: Height, Wiring and How to Choose
A UK guide to pendant light fittings over kitchen islands and dining areas: correct hanging height, ceiling rose vs track mounting, cable vs rod suspension, IP ratings, and wiring provisions at first fix.
RCBOs: The Protective Device That Stops One Fault Taking Out Your Whole House
UK guide to RCBOs: Type A vs Type B, circuit sizing, brand compatibility, Amendment 3 bidirectional rules, and prices from £12-30 per device.
Socket Faceplates: Finishes, USB-C, and the Back Box Depth Trap
UK guide to socket faceplates: white plastic from £1.65, brushed chrome from £7, USB-C sockets, brand quality rankings, and how many you actually need per room.
Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): The BS 7671 Default Most Old Boards Don't Have
What an SPD does, why BS 7671 Amendment 2 made it the domestic default, Type 1 vs 2 vs 3 explained, and what to specify for your extension consumer unit.
Speaker Cable: Sizing, Types, and Running It First Fix
What speaker cable to buy, what CSA to run, and why AV installers always run it at first fix. OFC vs CCA, 1.5mm² vs 2.5mm², and the routing mistake that ruins ceiling audio.
SWA Cable: The Steel Wire Armoured Guide for Garden Rooms, Garages and Outdoor Circuits
Steel wire armoured cable for buried outdoor circuits explained: BS 5467, burial depth, CW glands, banjo earth tags, voltage drop, current ratings and 2026 prices from £1.80 to £7.75 per metre.
Switch Faceplates: Gangs, Ways, Dimmers, and the LED Trap Nobody Warns You About
Complete UK guide to light switch faceplates: 1-way vs 2-way, dimmer LED compatibility, smart switch neutral wire problem, prices from £1.09, and every mistake to avoid.
Switch Fuse and Fused Connection Unit (FCU): The Complete Guide
What a switch fuse and fused connection unit (FCU) are, the difference between 13A and 20A double-pole types, where each is used in an extension, and how to buy the right one.
1.5mm Twin and Earth Cable (6242Y): The UK Lighting Circuit Standard
Everything you need to know about 1.5mm T&E cable for lighting circuits: what 6242Y means, current prices (around £55-60 per 100m drum), brands, and the EPS insulation mistake that ruins cables.
2.5mm Twin and Earth Cable (6242Y): The UK Socket Circuit Standard
Everything you need to know about 2.5mm T&E cable for socket circuits: ring vs radial explained, current prices (around £79-84 per 100m drum), brands, and the derating trap in insulated walls.
4mm Twin and Earth Cable (6242Y): The Middle Cable for Long Radial Runs
When 2.5mm isn't enough and 6mm is overkill: 4mm T&E for kitchen island, garage and garden room circuits. Voltage drop maths, derating traps, current UK prices £140-165 per 100m drum.
6mm Twin and Earth Cable (6242Y): Cooker and Shower Circuit Wiring
Complete guide to 6mm T&E cable for cooker, hob, and shower circuits: when 6mm is enough vs 10mm, derating through insulation, current UK prices from £100-125 per 50m drum.
10mm Twin and Earth Cable (6242Y): When You Need It and Why
Complete guide to 10mm T&E cable for big induction hobs and electric showers: when 10mm is required vs 6mm, current UK prices around £190-£200 per 50m drum, and the back box trap that catches DIYers.
Under-Cabinet LED Strips for Kitchens: Worktop Lighting, IP Ratings and Wiring Done Right
A UK guide to under-cabinet LED strips: 12V vs 24V, IP65 for kitchens, CCT and colour rendering for task lighting, driver sizing, channels and diffusers, and what to wire at first fix.
USB Sockets: Wattage, Back Box Depth, and the Decision You Make Before First Fix
UK guide to USB charging sockets: USB-A vs USB-C, 12W to 63W tiers, back box depth requirements, retail pricing across white and brushed steel finishes, and the two electrical safety issues most homeowners never hear about.
Weatherproof Sockets: Outdoor IP66 and IP44 Sockets Explained
Outdoor sockets cost £10 – £30 for the unit, £85 – £215 installed. IP44 vs IP66 ratings, RCD rules, and how to spec one right.