i want to disconnect a plug socket while the power is still on can this be done.

ray, June 2009

why would you need to work live in the first place not like you have something that cant be turned off .if your asking a question like that you shoudn't touch electricity

sparky, July 2009

I don't want to get into a debate over whether or not certain people need to follow workplace regulations in their own home, but compliance can provide a good defence in court if anything should go wrong.

Obviously different countries have different regulations, but the majority of questions on here seem to be from the UK.

Adam, June 2009

I am with Pecavi on this one

Common sense and safe working are sensibel for professonal and private people and no one wants to see any one dead.

Pecavi says he dont want to go to the inquest so the guy shouldnt do it cause he will probly die if he dose.

Adam says he shouldnt do it because its illegal. Pecavi says the regs dont cover a private person.

I say he shouldnt do it because its daft and dangerous and him asking in here makes me think he really dont kno what he is doing.

nige-soton, June 2009

Adam, you are correct and we should not argue but...

You are obviously right when you say that defining someone as a private citizen certainly doesn't make electricity any safer - but it does change thier position with respect to the regulations that apply to UK tradespeople.

They often forget, UK tradespeople on here, that they may be bound by official rules and laws but the private person and people overseas are not. You used the word, "illegal" - accurate for a UK tradesman perhaps but not necessarily so for the questioner.

Neither of us I'm sure would wish to see him dead...

Best to you...

Peccavi, June 2009

Well Peccavi a lot of the questions asked here are very vague and lacking in detail, so there are certain things which must be assumed, and if I were asking a question I would prefer an answer with a reason rather than just being told I don't know what I'm doing and should call an electrician.

Live working is potentially dangerous whichever way you look at it. Defining a person as a "private citizen" doesn't make electricity any safer does it?

Adam, June 2009

Does the remit of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 extend to private citizens or countries outside the UK?

Peccavi, June 2009

Sorry, at closer inspection, regulation 13.

Adam, June 2009

Regulation 12 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 renders live working illegal unless in exceptional circumstances, which this isn't.

So no.

Adam, June 2009

Anybody who says yes to your question will be called to give evidence at the inquest into your death.

so NO...

Peccavi, June 2009

LIVE WORK at your own peril, just remember you can see water you can smell gas but electric BITES LIKE HELL.


I ADVISE ISOLATE POWER SUPPLY FIRST POWER WILL BE OFF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES JOB DONE SAFELY

wirecutterman, June 2009