Garage re-wire

[raustin]

Evening all.

Just started a garage re-wire this afternoon for a neighbour and just after a bit of advice. The previous owner was a bit of a diyer!! I advised her that it will be easier and best if we start from scratch.

As an example of what I found on my initial inspection:-

Earthing for lighting being terminated in the earth terminal of the switch with no connection to the supply earth.

The FCU for the lighting circuit had no earth from the incomming or out going supply. The back box and front plate were connected with an earth wire ( Box is plastic). I have sorted the earth now but still have a question with how it has been wired.

The lighting is coming from an FCU. The light switch is a double for 2 different lights in the garage. The switch is being used for the loop. The neutrals have been connected together using a terminal block.

The FCU is right next to the switch so rather than running the power cable to the 1st light with a loop going to the 2nd, he's done all that at the switch. Then he's run the 2 switch cables to the lights.

Hope the above makes sense?

Is this correct, can it be done like that? Its saved cable but not how I would have done it.

Cheers Rich

 

[telectrix]

looping at the switch and jionting the neutrals is OK, as long as everything is done to regs.

 

[raustin]

looping at the switch and jionting the neutrals is OK, as long as everything is done to regs.

OK great, so the use of a terminal block in the swicth for the neutrals OK then or does it need to be a crimp connection?

 

[IQ Electrical]

OK great, so the use of a terminal block in the swicth for the neutrals OK then or does it need to be a crimp connection?

Think about it, is it accessible?

 

[telectrix]

it's accessible so choc block is acceptable, but i would prefer to use a wago or crimp. you can buy switches with a spare terminal for the very purpose, i forget who makes them.

 

[somersetsparks]

its the normal way of wiring lights, infact I think its only because of t+e people think you have to wire it 3-plate.

 

[morph]

using chocblock for neutral in switch box is perfectly acceptable

 

[raustin]

OK great thanks so much for the replies. One other question. When fitting sockets in a garage would you use metal clad ones as they are more robust. and do the 450mm and 1200mm rules still apply?

 

[somersetsparks]

No 450mm and 1200 only apply to new domestic properties, not existing ones I think, and I don't believe they would apply to garages anyway.

 

[raustin]

No 450mm and 1200 only apply to new domestic properties, not existing ones I think, and I don't believe they would apply to garages anyway.

OK great, was forgetting about that applying to new builds. What about metal glad sockets, or would the standard plastic be fine? Just that I'm thinking that I will use this as one of my jobs for the NICEIC inspector.

 

[IQ Electrical]

What are the external influences and anticipated use for the garage?

I'm just trying to get you to think about your questions, you know the answer to this one better than us!

Is it an old woman just plugging in the occasional garden tool or a chap using it as a workshop?

 

[telectrix]

metalclad would be good, but if using T/E it just don't look right putting T/E in a stuffing gland or a bush. you could use plastic conduit but its more expense. personally, i would use a good quality plastic socket and a high impact patress. if there is a risk of mechanical damage to thre cable, mini trunking for plastic sockets, pvc tube for metal.

 

[telectrix]

IQ, your a faster typist than me . LOL.

 

[raustin]

Thanks IQ - yeah a lady just using for gardening etc, so nothing heavy duty. So as telectrix suggested, maybe just some good quality patress's will do the job.

Thanks to all, really useful and helpful comments as always.

Rich

 

[IQ Electrical]

IQ, your a faster typist than me . LOL.

Predictive text on an iPhone!

 

[telectrix]

tried that pedictive text once. tried to write bible and it came up with bisexual. DOH

 

[IQ Electrical]

tried that pedictive text once. tried to write bible and it came up with bisexual. DOH

Mmm, got to be careful with that one!

 

[telectrix]

on the very rare occasion i try and send a text , either it takes me an hour, or, more usually, what i write gets wiped out half way through and the phone comes up with some stupid internet garbage or mp3 whatever that is.

 

[steamboatwilly]

I used a garage for my NIC inspection....metal boxes and plastic conduit/singles. Not that much more expensive to do anyway but good to impress the inspector. Anyways....it's a lady & gardening now but what if a rough mechanic moves in with her in a few months?

 

[IQ Electrical]

I used a garage for my NIC inspection....metal boxes and plastic conduit/singles. Not that much more expensive to do anyway but good to impress the inspector. Anyways....it's a lady & gardening now but what if a rough mechanic moves in with her in a few months?

She'll be bruised and smelling of oil?

 

[steamboatwilly]

Probably the least of her worries iq.

 

[telectrix]

She'll be bruised and smelling of oil?

engine oil or baby oil?

 

[raustin]

I used a garage for my NIC inspection....metal boxes and plastic conduit/singles. Not that much more expensive to do anyway but good to impress the inspector. Anyways....it's a lady & gardening now but what if a rough mechanic moves in with her in a few months?

OK thanks, maybe I'll do that then. The garage has a loft space so I was planning on dropping the cables down from there. Would it be best to use T&E rather than singles? Did that count as a major job for the NIC to inspect?

 

[malcolmsanford]

Are you fitting a local DB in the garage, if you are then they may class it as a major job. If your just going to use a final circuit to a garage FCU then they will most likely class it as a minor.

 

[steamboatwilly]

Are you fitting a local DB in the garage, if you are then they may class it as a major job. If your just going to use a final circuit to a garage FCU then they will most likely class it as a minor.

Yes, exactly the case. I had a garage CU and it counted as major. Yes, use the 'loft' space if it'll help reduce the conduit. You can fit 2.5mm T&E in 20mm but don't pull too much as a time 'cos it's tight on corners! Good luck.