Could somebody please clarify how literally the word “fixed” would be interpreted under Part P – Electrical Safety: Dwellings. If using the dictionary definition, the regulations are far too onerous for almost every householder. The definition of electrical installation refers to fixed electric cable or fixed electrical equipment on the consumer’s side of the electricity meter. Further, Paragraph 2.8 indicates that fixed electrical equipment is in scope even if the final connection is by a 13a plug and socket. Based on the above, if I fixed a new flat screen television to my wall and plugged it in, would it be within scope? Alternately, if I had a trailing 4 gang socket and clipped the cable to the skirting board to remove the trip hazard and/or put it in conduit to make it look neat, would this become fixed wiring? To my mind, the regulations are intended to apply to the electrical system up to and including the sockets, so that only a qualified person can work on the “live” wiring. However, anything from the appliance back to the plug should not be deemed to be fixed as it can simply be plugged in an unplugged by a consumer without having to go anywhere near electrical supply in the property. The fact that something may be “fixed” to the building to remove a trip hazard or to make it look better than having it freestanding etc doesn’t affect the electrical safety in any way. Has anybody any experience of such issues?

Thanks Paul.