SWA in garden advice needed please

[TheMunk]

I need to run a 4mm 3core SWA from a house (30mA RCD protected) approximately 10-15meters to supply a shed cu (which will only be switched on from the house when needed) consisting of a 20a radial with 3 sockets and 6a lighting circuit. The client isn't happy about having there flower beds dug up to bury the cable and there isn't a suitable fence for me to fix it to so the only option is to run in down the side of the garden laid surface through the flower bed tight to the fence. Looking through the regs I can't seem to find an exact reg for my situation giving a reason why i can't do it this way????

Section 705 agricultural and horticultural premise
-Protective measures:Automatic disconnection of supply -the swa will be protected by a 30mA RCD in the house

-It's not a location intended for livestock

-there's no risk of fire

-it's not in an area of agricultural premises where vehicles and mobile agricultural machines are operated

Am I right in saying there's no reason, all though its not the best method installation, why I can't run it down the side of the garden laid surface through the flower bed tight to the fence.

im hoping to use this job, as ive done quite a bit of work in the house including a cu upgrade and a few new circuits, as one of my assessment pieces for the NICEIC Domestic Installer scheme. I'm concerned as to wether I should carryout this method of installation for the swa as it seems to be a bit of a grey area and the client isn't really giving me any other option and I can't find a specific reg to back either argument as to the installation method. On one hand I definitely don't want to fail my assessment but I also don't want lose the job.

please help

 

[malcolmsanford]

Well section 522 of the regs and to my mind 522.6 have several reasons why I would not want to just lay a cable on the floor, even if it was SWA.

Regs aside the real consideration is that it would look like something a non professional would do and IMO look rough. So if your planning on using the project as a whole, for your assessment, make sure you don't show the assessor this.

Can I ask if this is an house why your looking at section 708 for guidance, is it a farm house or such

 

[Strima]

The client isn't happy about having there flower beds dug up to bury the cable

Another client that thinks work can be done with no disturbance. What sort of fence is it? Is there another route? A photo of the run would help.

After a couple of years laying on the ground he cable will more than likely be covered in earth increasing the risk of accidental damage from a spade etc.

Is there a requirement to RCD protect the cable? If you're fitting a garage box then that will also have RCD protection and you will not be able to achieve discrimination. Are there other services in this shed? What is the shed made from?

 

[trev]

The client doesn't want his precious flower beds dug up. Wth are you supposed to do, use the force?

 

[TheMunk]

522.2.6.1
Wiring systems shall be selected and erected so as to minimise the damage arising from mechanical stress etc.
- I'd be using SWA

And
522.6.2
In fixed installation where impacts of AG2 and AG3 can occur protection shall be afforded by
1-the mechanical characteristics of the wiring, OR
2-the location selected, OR
3-the provision of additional local or general protection against mechanical damage, OR
4-any combination of the above

-again option 1 SWA which will will also be RCD protected. I agree that options 1&2 would be the best method but it does state OR and I don't have the option of burying.

Reason I looked at section 708 as it is kind of a special location I know not a farm house but it shares similar characteristics, I had looked at Selection and erection but couldn't find a specific answer to my problem other than those I've mentioned above. Surely my justification is although not the best method of installation I have followed the regs to the best available options and could I not mention this as a discrepancy on my cert that 'although advised the client didn't want the cable buried?'
-

 

[Silly Sausage]

How about taking the aerial route, in line with the fence?

 

[HandySparks]

You could run the SWA inside a length of underground cable duct (laid on the surface) as additional protection against a clout with a spade or other garden tool. I'm thinking of the duct similar to the blue underground water pipe, but black. It's pretty tough.

 

[Strima]

I've got loads of Copex if you need it... :lol:

 

[TheMunk]

Another client that thinks work can be done with no disturbance. What sort of fence is it? Is there another route? A photo of the run would help.

After a couple of years laying on the ground he cable will more than likely be covered in earth increasing the risk of accidental damage from a spade etc.

Is there a requirement to RCD protect the cable? If you're fitting a garage box then that will also have RCD protection and you will not be able to achieve discrimination. Are there other services in this shed? What is the shed made from?

It's a wire mesh fence one side and removable wooden fence panels the other both about waist height.

I thought if I put the RCD in the house and a main switch in the shed it would protect the SWA as well as the shed circuits, is this not advisable? Would I not get the required disconnection time?

It's a small brick shed with no other services.

 

[TheMunk]

How about taking the aerial route, in line with the fence?

Seems a bit far to take that route think there'd be more chance of the neighbours kids swinging off it than damaging it with a spade

 

[JD6400]

Have you thought of moling it in ?
Not sure what the going rate is to hire one as we own all ours but i think it could be around the £100 mark , if they want you to magic the cable in then they have got to pay Merlin prices !

 

[Octopus]

How about a generator in the shed. That would do away with the need for SWA?

 

[D Skelton]

if they want you to magic the cable in then they have got to pay Merlin prices !

Amazing!!! Wetting myself laughing! I'm gonna nick that for when I next get a customer who wants a magician

 

[TheMunk]

Have you thought of moling it in ?
Not sure what the going rate is to hire one as we own all ours but i think it could be around the £100 mark , if they want you to magic the cable in then they have got to pay Merlin prices !

I like the sound of this and i reckon i could still bury the warning tape 6" from surface without causing to much disturbance to the beloved flower bed. I may look into this method unless anyone can spoil my fun with another reg

 

[JD6400]

I like the sound of this and i reckon i could still bury the warning tape 6" from surface without causing to much disturbance to the beloved flower bed. I may look into this method unless anyone can spoil my fun with another reg

It is pretty straight forward to do and you only need a hole at one end a foot or so wide x about 3 foot long , and at the other end you can get away with a shaft 6"x6" if you have got it in true !