DIY Extension lead in hose pipe for external power to shed

[Blackemerald]

Hi all, looking for advice, based in the UK.

I have a 30m long garden with shed at bottom that I want to run an extension lead to on a permanent basis. Use is for power tools (drill, jigsaw) plus lamp in the winter so neither constant nor heavy usage.

Currently I run a single 40m reel extension lead down to the shed when I need power. Plugs in at a new (2 year old) weatherproof socket. Fine but a bit tedious to do over 30m garden each time.

Burying an armoured cable isnt possible as the shed is on paving which covers a good 10m of the garden length.

My thought was to thread the cable through a new garden hosepipe, run the hose on the surface alongside the fence/hedge. The plug end would be protected in the weatherproof socket and the reel end would live in the shed (pass cable and hose through wood shed wall). Keep it on the surface at all times to be visible.

Is this safe? Thanks

 

[James]

It is far from ideal.

Over time the pipe will become full of water and the cable inside is not going to like being being in a constant wet environment.
Over time the wire will become damaged due to the pipe and wire expanding and contracting at different rates as the temperature rises and falls.
Freezing and thawing over winter will also damage it.

Not to mention pulling pvc cable down a pvc hosepipe for 40m will be a pain in the back side!

Why not use something that is designed for outdoor use?
Like swa or hituff cable?

 

[Blackemerald]

It is far from ideal.

Over time the pipe will become full of water and the cable inside is not going to like being being in a constant wet environment.
Over time the wire will become damaged due to the pipe and wire expanding and contracting at different rates as the temperature rises and falls.
Freezing and thawing over winter will also damage it.

Not to mention pulling pvc cable down a pvc hosepipe for 40m will be a pain in the back side!

Why not use something that is designed for outdoor use?
Like swa or hituff cable?

Thanks James, this is exactly why I wanted to ask, I wasnt sure if extension lead would survive. I've looked into swa cable and that looks like the way to go. Thanks for your help!

 

[James]

I would strongly recommend that you involve a local electrician to ensure it is the right size of cable and terminated correctly.

It is not as easy as it looks.
Also, circuit protection and rcd needs to be confirmed as ok for the intended use.

 

[Blackemerald]

I would strongly recommend that you involve a local electrician to ensure it is the right size of cable and terminated correctly.

It is not as easy as it looks.
Also, circuit protection and rcd needs to be confirmed as ok for the intended use.

Noted, thanks, I will leave it until we need some other work done in that case. Inconvenience is a small price to pay. Thanks again