Wiring

What is the difference between twin and earth cable and SWA cable?

Twin and earth is standard indoor cable for fixed wiring. SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) is a robust outdoor or underground cable used where mechanical protection is needed.

What is a ring main circuit?

A ring main is a socket circuit where cable runs from the consumer unit, loops around the room visiting each socket, and returns to the same consumer unit terminals — effectively doubling the cable's current capacity.

How much does it cost to rewire a house in the UK?

A full rewire typically costs £3,000–£8,000 for a 3-bedroom house depending on size, access, and location. It takes 5–10 days and requires Part P certification.

How do I know if my house wiring needs replacing?

Signs that wiring needs replacing include rubber insulation, aluminium cables, frequent tripping, burn marks, or an EICR coding it as C1 or C2 (potentially dangerous).

Why is my wiring getting warm?

Warm wiring is a serious warning sign — caused by overloading, a loose connection, or undersized cable. It must be investigated by an electrician immediately.

What do the wire colours in UK electrics mean?

Brown is live, blue is neutral, green/yellow is earth. In older UK wiring, red is live, black is neutral. Do not work on wiring without switching off the circuit.