Help wiring Garage Consumer Unit

midiman · Nov 18, 2017

Hi, please can you see if this is correct for what I am trying to do.

I want 1 ring main circuit for sockets and another for lighting.

This is for a test lab that I am setting up at home.

The CU didn't come with any instruction so I want to make sure that I am doing it right and using the correct cabling.

Here is a picture :

[ElectriciansForums.net] Help wiring Garage Consumer Unit

Thanks

buzzlightyear · Nov 18, 2017

midiman said:
This is for a test lab that I am setting up at home.

can you not ask rattus rattus for help at your house!

Pete999 · Nov 18, 2017

midiman said:
Hi, please can you see if this is correct for what I am trying to do.

I want 1 ring main circuit for sockets and another for lighting.

This is for a test lab that I am setting up at home.

The CU didn't come with any instruction so I want to make sure that I am doing it right and using the correct cabling.

Here is a picture :

View attachment 39393

Thanks

Why would you want a lighting ring? a radial circuit would be the best option for a lighting circuit, and I suggest 1.5mm2 for the lights, not 2.5mm2, just saying.

Taylortwocities · Nov 18, 2017

Where does the 2.5mm cable that provides the main feed in come from?

buzzlightyear · Nov 18, 2017

Pete999 said:
Why would you want a lighting ring? a radial circuit would be the best option for a lighting circuit, and I suggest 1.5mm2 for the lights, not 2.5mm2, just saying.

or is it pete999. building a extension calling it a test lab!

Pete999 · Nov 18, 2017

Pete999 said:
Why would you want a lighting ring? a radial circuit would be the best option for a lighting circuit, and I suggest 1.5mm2 for the lights, not 2.5mm2, just saying.

Got a suspicion the OP is the same chap that said the college he attended used a PSU.

Pete999 · Nov 18, 2017

buzzlightyear said:
or is it pete999. building a extension calling it a test lab!

What with my knees and back? no chance.

midiman · Nov 18, 2017

Pete999 said:
Why would you want a lighting ring? a radial circuit would be the best option for a lighting circuit, and I suggest 1.5mm2 for the lights, not 2.5mm2, just saying.

Sorry it was just the way I worded it.

I want 1 main ring for the sockets and another being a radial for the lighting.

Some people say 1mm is adequate for lighting but I don't mind using 1.5mm if I have to.

The feed to the CU is coming from a 13a plug as per the discussion we have the other week about setting up my lab.

Thanks

l4urence · Nov 18, 2017

Why put a ring anyway - designed decades ago, old hat. I would consider radial sockets in 2.5 but you must replace the 32A MCB with 20A; design depends on the required socket load. As Pete999 states 1.5 for the lights, also in radial.

Pete999 · Nov 18, 2017

midiman said:
Sorry it was just the way I worded it.

I want 1 main ring for and another being a radial for the lighting.

Some people say 1mm is adequate for lighting but I don't mind using 1.5mm if I have to.

The feed to the CU is coming from a 13a plug.

Thanks

Use a flex, rather than twin and earth cable for the supply cable, 13 amp plug tops are not designed to accept twin and earth cable.

buzzlightyear · Nov 18, 2017

l4urence said:
Why put a ring anyway - designed decades ago, old hat. I would consider radial sockets in 2.5 but you must replace the 32A MCB with 20A; design depends on the required socket load. As Pete999 states 1.5 for the lights, also in radial.

next .he will tell us that he is putting in
a cooker circuit!

Taylortwocities · Nov 18, 2017

midiman said:
The feed to the CU is coming from a 13a plug.

So, what you have planned is totally pointless.
The circuit protection is on the 13A plug, so the 32A MCB in the garage will never ever in a million years trip because the maximum current will only ever be no more than 13amp.

So there is no point having a ring final, again because the current is limited to 13A.
Also I expect that the socket that the plug is in (at the house end?) is already RCD-protected? So there's no point in the RCD in the garage either.

So you could have saved your money on that garage unit, just run in the cable to a string of sockets and used a £3 FCU to provide the light switch and feed.

Pete999 · Nov 18, 2017

Taylortwocities said:
So, what you have planned is totally pointless.
The circuit protection is on the 13A plug, so the 32A MCB in the garage will never ever in a million years trip because the maximum current will only ever be no more than 13amp.

So there is no point having a ring final, again because the current is limited to 13A.
Also I expect that the socket that the plug is in (at the house end?) is already RCD-protected? So there's no point in the RCD in the garage either.

So you could have saved your money on that garage unit, just run in the cable to a string of sockets and used a £3 FCU to provide the light switch and feed.

I think the OP intends to build a testing board, to practice his ability for carrying out tests, it's not an ideal scenario, but I guess he will have account for the discrepancies, at least I think that's what he intends to do, but then again in this mad world of DIY electrics, who knows?

midiman · Nov 18, 2017

Pete999 said:
Use a flex, rather than twin and earth cable for the supply cable, 13 amp plug tops are not designed to accept twin and earth cable.

Thanks I will pickup some better cabling.

1.5mm for the lighting and some flex for the mains.

Pete999 · Nov 18, 2017

midiman said:
Thanks I will pickup some better cabling.

1.5mm for the lighting and some flex for the mains.

Yes it is the same member just checked,

Help wiring Garage Consumer Unit

midiman

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buzzlightyear

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Pete999

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Taylortwocities

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buzzlightyear

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Pete999

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Pete999

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midiman

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l4urence

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Pete999

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buzzlightyear

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Taylortwocities

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Pete999

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midiman

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Pete999

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