Outdoor socket used as junction box

[Henry_]

Is the second cable from the outside socket to the shed also 4mm SWA?
Are there any extraneous parts in the shed?

Thanks for all your replies, really appreciate it. Yeah, the full run from the garage to the socket and from the socket to where the office is being built is all 4mm SWA. The shed is no longer there the cable in the picture is where it currently surfaces and if sufficient is what I hope will be connected into the office.

 

[Spoon]

Do you know how to glad off SWA cable correctly?

 

[Henry_]

Do you know how to glad off SWA cable correctly?

Yeah, I have done it before.

 

[westward10]

That looks bigger than 4mm to me.

 

[telectrix]

That looks bigger than 4mm to me.

and me... @henry, are to measuring the diameter of the copper to get 4mm?

 

[westward10]

Up against that breeze block that is probably 6mm or even 10mm.

 

[telectrix]

looks like 10mm from where i'm sitting. so if dia. is about 4mm, then 10mm csa is about on the ball.

 

[Henry_]

and me... @henry, are to measuring the diameter of the copper to get 4mm?

Yeah, sadly I did - I had it written down from a while back and did not recheck. I've just been back out with some calipers and the dia is 4mm, with each strand being 1.4mm, roughly working out to be 11mm2. No markings on the cable other than brand, date and BS number. Good spot @westward10 and @telectrix

 

[MJPD29]

That looks bigger than 4mm, and 4mm probably won't be rated at 40a+ once you do your calculations at any distance. As well if you do take on this work yourself make sure it is glanced correctly if you are using the armour as the earth, again providing calculations are satisfactory.

 

[Toneyz]

and me... @henry, are to measuring the diameter of the copper to get 4mm?

It looks bigger than 4mm to me to.

 

[Toneyz]

You need to confirm what the cable is to the socket and from the socket to the shed as I can't see how you can connect two 10mm cables in the socket terminals. A bit more investigation of what is behind covers.

 

[Henry_]

You need to confirm what the cable is to the socket and from the socket to the shed as I can't see how you can connect two 10mm cables in the socket terminals. A bit more investigation of what is behind covers.

I measured the diameter at 4mm previously and had it written down, I had not worked it out to mm2, after remeasuring/calculating(as it is not marked on the cable) it is 10mm and is the same running from the garage to the socket and from the socket to where the shed was. I have just taken the socket apart and whoever did it basically clipped the wires to a taper so they would fit, and poorly at that. No idea who did it or why but there is no way I am going to use that again so no matter what now I think it is best to get rid of that and have it replaced by a proper junction box.

That looks bigger than 4mm, and 4mm probably won't be rated at 40a+ once you do your calculations at any distance. As well if you do take on this work yourself make sure it is glanced correctly if you are using the armour as the earth, again providing calculations are satisfactory.

If I do, I will - thank you for your advice!


Thanks to everyone who has posted constructively, especially @Spoon for taking so much time out of your day to reply and those of you who helped me unmuddle the wire sizing!

I have some time before this needs to be done and if at any point I am atall uncertain I will make sure to get a qualified electrician in to do the job.

 

[Risteard]

I've just been back out with some calipers and the dia is 4mm, with each strand being 1.4mm, roughly working out to be 11mm2.

I would wager on there being 7 strands.

 

[davesparks]

I suggest that the next sensible step is to get an electrician to inspect and test those cables to ensure they are suitable for continued use, and also check the size.
If the cables are of a suitable size and in good condition then get the electrician to advise on the rest of the job and quote to do it properly.
I would suggest that the socket he removed and the SWA jointed in a cast resin type joint.