what size cable should i use?

pecker · May 1, 2012

HI there

I am wondering what size cable i should use to run from my house to my garage approx 15 mtrs away?

I am laying a new concrete path so was planning to bury in a pipe/tube to run the cable in while i do this work. I have been advised by different people what size cable i should use but this seems to differ.

I will only be running a couple of sockets for a fridge and a freezer plus a double plug for a lawnmower and odd power tool for bits of diy but really nothing major. Also i will prob have a couple of fluorescent lights as well.

Could somebody please advise what size armoured cable i should use and does it matter if its 3 or 4 core??

Any help would be very welcome

Thanks

GLENNSPARK · May 8, 2012

to the O/P...a bit of advice for you here....go for quality....cost is secondary fella....but it aint gonna be loads......

pecker · May 8, 2012

never thought of that, not in London i am based in Rotherham south yorkshire

pecker · May 8, 2012

the simple reason for asking how much is simple....CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE??

If not then its not that i wont have it done it just means it will have to wait until i can afford it simple as. This is why i was asking
and not so i can say forum said it should only cost ---. Its also becasue there are some (lets call them trades people) who will quite happily rip you off with stuff you dont need to pay for

pecker · May 8, 2012

the simple reason for asking how much is simple....CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE??

If not then its not that i wont have it done it just means it will have to wait until i can afford it simple as. This is why i was asking
and not so i can say forum said it should only cost ---. Its also becasue there are some (lets call them trades people) who will quite happily rip you off with stuff you dont need to pay for.

If you went to book a holiday do you ever ask the price?? why?? if its what you like why does it matter?? exactly depends on if you can afford it need to change your plans....

GLENNSPARK · May 8, 2012

pecker said:
the simple reason for asking how much is simple....CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE??

If not then its not that i wont have it done it just means it will have to wait until i can afford it simple as. This is why i was asking
and not so i can say forum said it should only cost ---. Its also becasue there are some (lets call them trades people) who will quite happily rip you off with stuff you dont need to pay for.

If you went to book a holiday do you ever ask the price?? why?? if its what you like why does it matter?? exactly depends on if you can afford it need to change your plans....

you come into a forum for electricians with the idea in the back of your mind that you may get ripped off....and so try to play us off with "they said it would be this much on that forum" kind of stuff....i think i`m gonna get mysen off now fella......

Strima · May 8, 2012

To get a rough idea of cost it's best to shop around. Try the usual places such as Screwfix and B&Q, then knock 20% off as they screw you over... :lol:

Without knowing the job I can only hazard a guess at what you need. Do you have a spare way on your CU. Does it have RCD's? Is there a spare 40A MCB to use? Any difficulty in access for the cable run? How easy is the cable run? What are your earthing arrangements?

For a garage fit I would be looking at:

Possibly 40A MCB/RCBO.
6mm 3 core SWA (dependant upon several factors).
20mm glands and CC6 cleats as needed.
Garage 2 way CU (RCCB/RCD, 6A lighting, 20A sockets). Also dependant upon discrimination with your house CU.
25mm back boxes, socket outlets, light switches, lamp holders.
2.5mm T+E for sockets, 1.0mm T+E for lights and clips if you want.
Alternatively 2.5mm singles if you want is tidy in conduit.
Any extraneous bonding required.

Google is your friend, have a look and price it yourself. No doubt the spark will get it cheaper, don't forget the taxmans cut.

This is only a rough guess and don't quote it but it should get you started for prices.

I'm not a fan of refrigeration in garages as you may not realise the breaker has tripped and get a nasty shock when you get the leg of lamb out, I know some people have no option.

ipf · May 9, 2012

Get a few local electricians to give you quotes after giving the job a coat of looking at. They wont all be trying to fleece you. When it comes down to it, all you want is an easy way out. If you want a quote phone an approved contractor.

Knobhead · May 9, 2012

If you want a cheap but incompetent job doing could I suggest having a look on DIYnot forum.
I’m sure BAS will give you good advise.

pecker · May 9, 2012

Glenn : despite what you may or may not think i actually came on here with nothing in my mind except me thinking it was a simple job that i could do. I put my question into Google and it gave me this forum which is why i asked the question here. Thank fully because of the previous advice its made me think its a lot more complicated than i thought so i wont be trying it myself. As for asking an idea for a price i thought i had explained that honestly in my last post and yeah of course i dont want to be ripped off which is why i was trying to research it first. And for the record it doesnt really matter if i said " on that forum they said it would only cost me £--- becuase if he gave me a quote they are not gonna change price simply becuasue of advice and guidance i had been given by strangers. If your honest would you change your price if i said that to you? my guess would be simple no you wouldnt. I didnt come on here to argue with people but i would worry why you have got so aggressive with a simple question? if you got like that while quoting for me then i wouldnt even consider it.

Thanks to all the other advice it really is appreciated. I am not going to necessarily take the cheapest quote just to make sure i have a quality job done. Could i ask one more question : while getting quotes is there anything i should check i.e. specific registrations and can i check them with somebody?

pecker · May 9, 2012

Strima - thanks for the post thats really helped a lot THANK YOU!!
as for freezer in garage i understand what your saying its just that we only have a small kitchen and this is why i was looking at this job to move something out to try and make more room with the limited space i have. if power goes off will just have to hope the weather is nice cus it will mean the mother of all BBQ'S lol

D Skelton · May 9, 2012

@pecker, I can only hazard a rough guess as I haven't seen the job but I'd expect a day or two labour for a spark and a mate which I'd guess being based in Rotherham would come to £200-400, probably even somewhere in the middle, plus any materials, which would be cheaper from any sparks instead of from B&Q.

Like I said however, extremely rough guess! There are a lot of factors that could push that price up depending on your existing installation.

With regards to registration, you need to see proof of registration to either Elecsa, Napit or NICEIC. There are others such as BSI, Stroma and Corgi, but these are less well known. It would also be worth checking the electrician's qualifications, if they are any good, they'll have at least a few level three certificates regarding electrical qualifications.

Another thing that will definitly save you money, and make the spark you get in to do the job very happy is if you dig the 2ft deep trench yourself and lay some 3 inch ducting in there. Also, by making sure the garage is clear and any potential floorboards that might need lifting inside the house are either up or at least exposed you will save on labour costs too. Remember to stick your warning tape down above the ducting though.

Finally, always remember, if you pay peanuts, expect to get monkeys! Going for the cheapest quote in my opinion is a bit of a faux pas.

By the way, where abouts in Rotherham are you? I have a lot of family in Maltby so I know the area reasonably well

J&M Electrical · May 9, 2012

Pecker, We are in Leeds which isn't too far away and would be happy to come give you a quote. Send us a pm if your interested, or i will pm you my number

Octopus · May 9, 2012

When (and if) you ask sparkies for quotes, make sure their prices include test, certification and notification under Part P, plus all reputable sparks will provide their registration number on their estimates.