Hi John,
By paranoid I wasn't referring to the safety aspects, more the who can and who can't work on the circuits.
One of the major retail outlets B&Q will sell you almost anything electrical required for the home environment to any member of the public. If Joe public wasn't allowed they wouldn't be able to sell it to you.
I agree, electricity can be very dangerous in the wrong hands, but then so can our machinery. In fact many of our home machines would never be allowed in a work place. That's how come we can get them so cheaply. Different rules apply.
But it's like anything else, if you don't understand what you are doing then you should either educate yourself if so inclined, or leave it to someone better able, pref qualified to do such work.
BTW, the "new" colours are not new, they have always been around. They just changed the colour of twin and earth cabling to match other types.
Neutral is bonded back at the power station in the UK. Very few homes have the old system of an earth rod today. But please, do make sure "ALL" your machines are earthed properly if you do nothing else. Your life "will" depend on it at some point. After that make sure you have some sort of safety trip device, RCB's, MCB's etc.
What ever you do do not run a twin and earth to your workshop for power. Used armored cable.
If in doubt, let a professional do the installation and make sure you get one in to give it the once over. You will need it for your insurance etc.
Nothing in the home wiring is complicated, but you do need to do it right.
If you don't understand the principals, then please don't do it.
But then again, the latest British Gas advert most of you may have seen on the telly recently shows you a sure way to kill yourself and no doubt any linesmen working on any power lines in your area.
Tut, tut.....