Question about external power

[Daren Bristow]

Hi,

Have just moved into a new house (rented) and can see a power cable running out to a workshop that the landlord uses for his businesss. My question is should the mains cable that is run out to this worksop not be buried and is it likley to be metered in the workshop or is it likley that he is using our power for his work?

thanks for advice.

 

[ipf]

I would suggest you ask the landlord about the situation. He will know more than anyone else. As regards the cable, more details needed, size?, type?, fixtures?, protection?, etc....... who knows?

 

[Marvo]

With regard to who's paying for that power I would just ask him straight out. If it's not separately metered you'll have to come to an arrangement and apportion the bill accordingly. Separate meter is better because he might be using a surprising amount of power if there's a water heater or any kind of room heaters in the workshop.

As far as the cable being buried, if it's SWA or any cable rated as UV stable for external use then it can be run on the surface but it's good practice to have it buried to prevent physical damage.

 

[Knobhead]

Find the fuse / MCB that feeds the cable and turn it off. You’ll soon find out what’s going on.

 

[Daren Bristow]

Find the fuse / MCB that feeds the cable and turn it off. You’ll soon find out what’s going on.

Good plan, thanks guys, the cable appears to be insulated but I was a bit worried as Im having a few people over for a housewarming and dont want that there as a hazard.

Am going to speak to him today, will then look at turning it off if I dont like what I hear