Garden wiring for lights and sockets

MalcolmS · Nov 14, 2022

Hi Gents,
I am thinking about running some cables in the garden. The idea is to electrify the garden.
My idea is to run some electrical cables so I have
a). lights
b). electricity
There is a plan to build a shed or garden office at the end of the garden - about 40 meters away from the house.
The whole area will need some landscaping so I thought while I move the earth around it would be good to dig a long trench across the property and lie some cables.
One cable would be for the insulated sockets for the garden (future pergola ~half way into the garden),
another cable for some lights and 3rd for the shed.
I don't think I will need anything out of ordinary e.g. high wattage power tools.
In terms of lighting I think 2 options to lit the 1st half and all lights.

What cables should I order?
Thanks

Spoon · Nov 14, 2022

Hi mate.
Are you intending to wire the cables in?
Are you testing the circuits?
Are you intending these cables to be on new circuits or to add to already existing circuits?
Wouldn't it be better to get an electrician in so that you can go into detail about what you want and they can tell you what cables are needed?
To save money you could suggest digging the necessary trenches for the cables.
Are you not having heating in the shed/office for winter time?

Dustydazzler · Nov 14, 2022

Might be easier to either...

A, get a sparks to help you pick the suitable cable(s) so you can buy it , lay it and then they can come back next year and connect it

B, put in some large ducting with blue draw rope in it so a future sparks can drag in a cable

MalcolmS · Nov 14, 2022

Hi Gents,
Yes I wanted to lie the cables and then at least fill in the trench and leave the rest for the electrician.
I had an idea of the ducting but could not find any info about what is appropriate.
I think these new circuits will have their own isolators.
Thanks for replies.

suffolkspark · Nov 15, 2022

MalcolmS said:
Hi Gents,
Yes I wanted to lie the cables and then at least fill in the trench and leave the rest for the electrician.
I had an idea of the ducting but could not find any info about what is appropriate.
I think these new circuits will have their own isolators.
Thanks for replies.

Hi Malcolm, your first port of call is to get an electrician over to look, he/she (insert other random 2022esque "genders" as required) can chat it through with you and they can calculate required cables, sizing, installation method, anything needing altering upstream, its still likely youll be ok to lay them yourself, after instruction, just get somebody on board first as this will need designing, and testing and sign off too

Dustydazzler · Nov 15, 2022

Traditionally if you wanted power from the house to the far end of the garden it would be one fair sized armoured cable buried in the ground on its own circuit

Sometimes you needed to put in a couple additional cables for switching but with wireless stuff now you don't need to these days

MJPD29 · Nov 15, 2022

35mm swa should cover it. Don't forget glands

Dustydazzler · Nov 15, 2022

I was thinking more like 90mm swa just to be on the safe side

MJPD29 · Nov 15, 2022

Dustydazzler said:
I was thinking more like 90mm swa just to be on the safe side

Probably right better to be safe than sorry

MalcolmS · Aug 31, 2023

Hi again, it was quite a while but this is what I want.
The consumer unit is just above the black door.
I am in the process of replacing these doors to PVC and was wondering how these wires should be run.
The frame is going to be replaced so it would be good to make some preparation to avoid unnecessary drilling later on.
Should I just fit some piece of pipe in the lower corner between the frame and wall so the wires can go through?
Re wiring itself I have asked some electrician about this but I think he has no imagination for garden wiring especially when none of the building are standing, I think I need to consult this with someone who has done something like that. I think the wires has to be ordered by the electrician himself because it also get cheaper.