Down to Earth Electrical - Bedford, Beds, UK

Welcome to the Down to Earth Electrical website. Down to Earth Electrical was founded by Steve Williams, a trusted Electrician with over 30 years of experience in Bedford, Bedfordshire and the surrounding area. To find out more about Steve and his background in the Electrical trade please visit the 'about' section.

Steve Williams has seen many changes in the electrical industry since he started his business in April 1984. His aim has always been to provide the people of Bedford and its surrounding area with a reliable and professional electrical installation service. He has many customers in both the Domestic and Commercial markets that come back to him time and time again. He has witnessed many new developments in technology, installation techniques and regulations over the years and is pleased to be up to date with all the latest changes.

One of the biggest recent changes has been Part P of the building regulations which came into force in January 2005. These regulations introduced safety standards to electrical installations within Domestic properties. This means that, with few exceptions, any electrical work undertaken in your home, such as the addition of new electrical circuits or any work in your Kitchen, Bathroom or Garden area must be notified to the Local Authority Building Control for Inspection (Click here for examples of notifiable work). Government approved schemes were set up to which Electricians and Competent persons could join, subject to inspection and assessment so they could self certify their work.

Steve is a member of ELECSA (membership no. EPP31956) which is now under the umbrella of the ECA (Electrical Contractors Association). These competent person schemes, through continual assessment, ensure that work is to current standards with a high level of workmanship. All notifiable work under the Part P regulations is registered through ELECSA who will then issue a Building Compliance Certificate to the homeowner and register the work with the Local Authority Building Control. The customer also has the option of taking out a 6 year warranty with ELECSA on any notifiable work registered through them.

July 1st 2008 saw the introduction of the new B.S 7671 2008 17th Edition of the IEE wiring regulations. This saw major changes for domestic installations, namely that all newly installed general purpose sockets must have RCD (Residual Circuit Device) protection. External sockets not exceeding 32 amps must also have 30mA RCD protection.

All circuit cables buried less than 50mm into a wall or partition and that are not enclosed in earth metallic covering or have mechanical protection capable of resisting nails or screws, are to be protected by a 30mA RCD. Locations containing a bath or shower have also been affected by the new regulations. All new circuits supplying equipment in Bathrooms must also be protected by a 30mA RCD. Changes to bathroom zones have also taken place.

Steve will be pleased to advise and quote for any work you are considering in your home or business and would always suggest you make sure any electrician you appoint is registered with a ‘Competent person scheme’ such as ELECSA and a holder of the new 17th Edition 2382 certificate.

To contact Steve about a job please email him or call 07860 435 244.