How to connect 2-core SWA safely?

[kevdavies]

thanks for the response

I'll do it a different way

 

[Gage]

It's pointless anyone here giving you any instructions on what to do because they will have to type out a whole instruction manual to cover their arse! But I was say DO NOT use your dodgy plan you have thought up.

 

[kevdavies]

I don't expect detailed instructions. Just some pointers. I just thought this may have been a good place to exchange knowledge built from experience. Admittedly I have not got a lot of electrical knowledge to offer at the moment as I'm new to the game, but I am no spring chicken.

I have run my own business in a completely unrelated field for over 10 years. I use a few forums and there are normally people who have several years experience take great pleasure in putting newbies down and offer nothing to help. Quite a sad pastime I think. Luckily I can tie these folk in knots if they try it on me as I have enough knowledge there. Obviously I can't do that here.

So when I make a suggestion and quite openly state I'm at the learning stage, giving me an answer of 'dodgy' is beyond useless. What may have been helpful would be "that is dangerous because.............".

I'll hang around it bit longer to see if there are helpful suggestions and in the meantime I'll have a browse for a more suitable forum to get involved with.

Thanks all.

 

[telectrix]

kev. with all due respect, it's far too complex an issue to go into properly on a forum. then there's also the dreaded notification to Building Control. ( give 'em £300 for starters ). might get away with it after april though. then there's testing .

 

[dan86]

oh dear. I was just starting to like you too!

 

[trev]

Kev, you have to think of this place like a building site's bait cabin. Come up with something daft in there and you'll get torn to bits (in a good natured way though)
Have a think about what your load is going to be and forget plug tops mate

 

[odawire]

OK. Here's the plan!
Forgive the dodgy terminology.

In-line RCD plugged into existing socket
13A plug to 16A socket (flex)
16A plug wired to SWA with armour connected via brass gland
other end of SWA wired to 16A socket with armour connected via brass gland
16A plug to 13A 4-way extension socket

How does that sound?

So the armoured cable is not at the ccu, its just next to a socket?

 

[amlu]

if you intend not to do any fixed wiring then terminate both ends of swa using adaptable boxes, swa glads and piranha nuts for earths.
from the box get some flex ending with 13a plug. (use plastic cable glands)
other end into an extension lead.

 

[Stroppy]

SWA is designed to be fixed wiring - I can't imagine the armouring clamp nut is going to hold on for long if it is moved around every so often, and being two-core once the armour comes loose that's your CPC knackered.

It needs to be cleated to something solid, and terminated into a proper fixed enclosure at both ends or consumer unit which also doesn't move. Then you can fuse it appropriately and go off to your flex to do whatever. (oh Amlu has just said as much).

If the SWA is sitting next to a socket, then I suppose you can spur off that in the same CSA into a metal adaptable box and connect to your armoured that way, but it's not very conventional.

Don't mean to be a wet blanket, but I think trying to put a plug on SWA is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Octopus]

I don't expect detailed instructions. Just some pointers. I just thought this may have been a good place to exchange knowledge built from experience. Admittedly I have not got a lot of electrical knowledge to offer at the moment as I'm new to the game, but I am no spring chicken.

I have run my own business in a completely unrelated field for over 10 years. I use a few forums and there are normally people who have several years experience take great pleasure in putting newbies down and offer nothing to help. Quite a sad pastime I think. Luckily I can tie these folk in knots if they try it on me as I have enough knowledge there. Obviously I can't do that here.

So when I make a suggestion and quite openly state I'm at the learning stage, giving me an answer of 'dodgy' is beyond useless. What may have been helpful would be "that is dangerous because.............".

I'll hang around it bit longer to see if there are helpful suggestions and in the meantime I'll have a browse for a more suitable forum to get involved with.

Thanks all.

I was trying to be polite. Ok, matey, dam right dangerous.

2 core and no proper connection for the CPC.

Sorry all but can't seem to turn off the bold and underline.

 

[Richard Burns]

If you do not want to have this as fixed wiring then it would be far easier just to run an extension lead to the garage for when you want power, this would avoid any problems with poor connections.

If you are going to use the SWA then the only real answer is to have it as fixed wiring. If the SWA does not reach to the consumer unit then you should extend the circuit back to the consumer unit with an appropriately sized and protected cable. Use suitable circuit protection at the consumer unit and set up a satiable circuit in the garage, if needs be just one double socket.
However you do need to do your calculations for the circuit and ensure you have the appropriate protection.

 

[Guitarist]

As already pointed out, this is notifiable to building control by law, so you need to pay up-front or get a part P electrician to do the work.
Having any kind of fixed wiring on a plug and socket does not stop it from being "fixed wiring", so that won't exempt you from notifying.
If you were to do this work yourself, do you have the calibrated test gear to carry out testing to ensure the install is safe? If you can't actually test it, how will you know that the OCPD will trip within the allowable time?

 

[telectrix]

how will you know that the OCPD will trip within the allowable time?


stick a nail across? :57:

​

 

[ackbarthestar]

Another satisfied customer......:mickey:


I'd think about having the armoured cable correctly sized and protected, fixed securely and glanded off correctly. with protection and sockets ready for safe use.

The benefits are that it will add to the value of your property, it will allow for future expansion when you feel the need to move the mig welder into the shed to add bits to your bike.

Ruffed in electrical wiring rings alarm bells to prospective buyers and their surveyors come along and expect large amounts of money to knocked off the price.

 

[Stroppy]

Even dirty light switches and socket fronts automatically make people think "dodgy electrics", so obvious lash-ups like this definitely will.