Power to shed.

[Bobble23]

I was changing an extractor fan today and while I was there noticed the set-up he had for his shed: 2 x s/o + 1 fluorescent light via a junction box in the shed, what looks like 2.5mm SWA down the small garden into a box on the outside of the house then through into the living room to a 13A RCD plug plugged into a living room socket.

I wanted to tell him that it all seemed a bit of a bodge but couldn't think of what was actually unsafe about it. Any ideas what I could say to him next time I see him (assuming that 'it doesn't seem right' won't make the grade)?

Thanks.

 

[amlu]

may not be ok for the big green book, its protected by a 13a fuse in the plug, rcd in the plug, possibly another rcd and a fuse in consumer unit. small job of adding a fused spur instead of a plug, and another 6a fused spur for the ligting in the shed will do, if someone insists and pays for fixing it.

 

[Rockingit]

It might be a bit rough, but nowhere in the BGB does it talk about aesthetics and what you describe would meet all the applicable regs. In fact, I would go so far as to suggest it doesn't even qualify as fixed wiring therefore not even of interest for Part P.

 

[markc123]

When i've got a little bit more time i'll search the regs for you, but im not sure what it actually doesn't comply with - Effectivley he's plugging the garage in, regardless of whats on the end of it. I don't like the fact the lighting and sockets are off the same plug without a FCU though.

- What sort of box does he outside? isit ip44?
- Lighting and socket together without a FCU is a no-no
- forget the light, hes got 2 sockets spurred off one without FCU.
- Has he terminated the SWA properly into the outside box?

Theres nothing wrong with spurring the garage off a socket providing the load is adequate. The socket he has got the SWA connected to in the living room needs a FCU chased in next to it, i'd probably even suggest using T+E in this case aslong as its buried and placed in flexible conduit (or something similar) from there to the 2 sockets and another FCU put in for the light inside the garage fused down accordingly.

 

[Rockingit]

When i've got a little bit more time i'll search the regs for you, but im not sure what it actually doesn't comply with - Effectivley he's plugging the garage in, regardless of whats on the end of it. I don't like the fact the lighting and sockets are off the same plug without a FCU though.

- What sort of box does he outside? isit ip44?
- Lighting and socket together without a FCU is a no-no
- forget the light, hes got 2 sockets spurred off one without FCU.
- Has he terminated the SWA properly into the outside box?

Theres nothing wrong with spurring the garage off a socket providing the load is adequate. The socket he has got the SWA connected to in the living room needs a FCU chased in next to it, i'd probably even suggest using T+E in this case aslong as its buried and placed in flexible conduit (or something similar) from there to the 2 sockets and another FCU put in for the light inside the garage fused down accordingly.

Go on.... I'm looking forward to this......

 

[Octopus]

I was changing an extractor fan today and while I was there noticed the set-up he had for his shed: 2 x s/o + 1 fluorescent light via a junction box in the shed, what looks like 2.5mm SWA down the small garden into a box on the outside of the house then through into the living room to a 13A RCD plug plugged into a living room socket.

I wanted to tell him that it all seemed a bit of a bodge but couldn't think of what was actually unsafe about it. Any ideas what I could say to him next time I see him (assuming that 'it doesn't seem right' won't make the grade)?

Thanks.

Supplied via a RCD socket. OK IMHO but as asthetics go it stinks.

 

[Brightspark2]

As said although a bit rough it does seem to comply, the circuits protected by the 13A plug top fuse and an RCD.

When i've got a little bit more time i'll search the regs for you, but im not sure what it actually doesn't comply with - Effectivley he's plugging the garage in, regardless of whats on the end of it. I don't like the fact the lighting and sockets are off the same plug without a FCU though.

- What sort of box does he outside? isit ip44?
- Lighting and socket together without a FCU is a no-no
- forget the light, hes got 2 sockets spurred off one without FCU.
- Has he terminated the SWA properly into the outside box?

Theres nothing wrong with spurring the garage off a socket providing the load is adequate. The socket he has got the SWA connected to in the living room needs a FCU chased in next to it, i'd probably even suggest using T+E in this case aslong as its buried and placed in flexible conduit (or something similar) from there to the 2 sockets and another FCU put in for the light inside the garage fused down accordingly.

2 sockets spurred off one?...it's on a 13A plug...that only applies to unfused spurs from ring finals, this has 13A protection squire.

SWA is a lot better than T+E in flexible conduit too, it's not adequate protection for burial...

 

[DPG]

Probably safer than most shed feeds. It's got isolation facility, rcd, suitable cable for an outdoor run. Daz

 

[markc123]

Well look's like im going to have to bite the bullet on this occasion and quite simply eat humble-pie. Reading back my last post, literally no idea what i was thinking...

As said although a bit rough it does seem to comply, the circuits protected by the 13A plug top fuse and an RCD.



2 sockets spurred off one?...it's on a 13A plug...that only applies to unfused spurs from ring finals, this has 13A protection squire.

SWA is a lot better than T+E in flexible conduit too, it's not adequate protection for burial...

First point, appologies - honestly no idea what i was thinking, like you say its just rough-arse work. Apologies also for the burial quote, however do i have time to change the word burial to clipped lol?

Go on.... I'm looking forward to this......

What do you mean by that exactly? I said, that i don't think it contravenes any regs. But i will check at some point.

 

[Brightspark2]

however do i have time to change the word burial to clipped lol?

Yes, quick before everyone else finishes work and logs on lol...

 

[Bobble23]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll just tell him it doesn't look too tidy and leave it at that - it's up to him if he wants it to look less like a saloon bar.

 

[MDJ]

I was changing an extractor fan today

I hope you did a nice Job

 

[telectrix]

i have a job in the pipeline. a feed to a wooden shed/garage. client wants just a couple of sockets and a florry. to come from the CU is a no go as it would involve a 40m trench. however, there is a double socket on the RFC handy, RCD protected, so as to require only a 2m trench in easy dig ground. i have 3 options..


1. using 4 core 2.5mm SWA, extend RFC to garage sockets.

2. using 4mm 2 core SWA, spur off RFC. sort of reverse lollipop circuit.

3. fit FCU at 13A in house to spur to garage.

each option would, of course entail a 3A or 5A FCU in the garage for the light/s.

be nice to hear thoughts on the above. which option would you go for?

 

[Octopus]

i have a job in the pipeline. a feed to a wooden shed/garage. client wants just a couple of sockets and a florry. to come from the CU is a no go as it would involve a 40m trench. however, there is a double socket on the RFC handy, RCD protected, so as to require only a 2m trench in easy dig ground. i have 3 options..


1. using 4 core 2.5mm SWA, extend RFC to garage sockets.

2. using 4mm 2 core SWA, spur off RFC. sort of reverse lollipop circuit.

3. fit FCU at 13A in house to spur to garage.

each option would, of course entail a 3A or 5A FCU in the garage for the light/s.

be nice to hear thoughts on the above. which option would you go for?

Option 4. 20A isolation switch off existing RFC, 3 core 2.5mm SWA to garage, 1 x 13A FCU (or put this at house) 2 x 2G sockets and FCU for lights. Defo not keen oin extending RFC into garage without any way of isolating it!

 

[telectrix]

Option 4. 20A isolation switch off existing RFC, 3 core 2.5mm SWA to garage, 1 x 13A FCU (or put this at house) 2 x 2G sockets and FCU for lights. Defo not keen oin extending RFC into garage without any way of isolating it!

so what about fusing down for the 2.5mm spur? i am thinking a 13A D/P FCU, but that gives him a very small capacity in the garage.