Cardiff electricians reveal the 10 most common electrical DIY mistakes they see in homes

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  Leaving plastic-sheathed cable unprotected is the most common electrical mistake seen by Cardiff electricians

Cardiff electricians have revealed the 10 most common electrical DIY mistakes they see in people’s homes, with some possibly leading to serious injuries or worse. 

Almost half (49%) of Brits have meddled with their home’s electrics, so ElectricalDirect, the specialist retailer of electrical products, asked hundreds of electricians to reveal the most common errors people make, and then rank them in terms of severity. 

These are the 10 most common electrical mistakes seen by Cardiff electricians:

1. Leaving plastic-sheathed cable unprotected

2. Over-covering cords and wires

3. Installing electrical outlets close to water

4. Installing lightbulbs near flammable materials

5. Not replacing damaged, worn or corroded wires

6. Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected

7. Wiring a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) backwards

8. Overfilling electrical boxes

9. Over-stacking extension cords or electrical outlets

10. Recessing boxes behind the wall surface

The most dangerous mistake is not protecting plastic-sheathed cable. John McCallister, electrical expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, explains why this is problematic: 

“Leaving plastic-sheathed cables unprotected exposes them to snagging and cuts, which could lead to fires or lethal shocks. Running them through a conduit minimises this risk.” 

The 10 most dangerous electrical mistakes Brits make at home are: 

Second on the list is leaving switches or outlets loosely connected.  

John says: “Loose connections cause movement that can potentially disrupt the power supply or allow live wires to wiggle loose, exposing them to your fingers. This means that there’s a potential risk of electrocution or fire.” 

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “Interest in DIY has massively increased over the last few years and while this is great to see, it’s important that people stay away from certain electrical jobs that can lead to injuries. 

“That’s why we consulted electricians from across the country to reveal the tasks which are best left to the professionals.” 

For more expert comments about why these 10 electrical mistakes are dangerous, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/blog/10-dangerous-electrical-diy-mistakes