wiring up a new circuit board in a workshop

[Rockingit]

Hi Richard. What you are experiencing is fairly common - the whole process of sort of knowing that if you make a circle then you make the light work. Part P (which to give it it's full title is Part P to the Building Regulations) was introduced by the government a few years ago - 2006 if memory serves. It's designed to allow home owners the flexibility to do certain DIY electrical tasks if they feel able but puts a greater responsibility on the more critical aspects like whole new connections and circuits, new fuse boards and so on.

What you've described here is that you don't quite fully know what you are up to, but some mate in a pub has made some suggestions. Thinking of your 'circle', what 'starts' in the shed also 'starts' in your house. I've a mate who does Elvis impressions, I don't for one moment think that he is!

Please, I've been a sparky for a long time, and I've seen the mishaps of DIY time and time again. By the sounds of it, you've got the basics of the materials, you just need a little know-how. Buy it in the form of a Part P registered sparks.

 

[leespeed]

as elvis says ......thankyou verrrrrrrrry much huhaw

 

[richardshall]

What you've described here is that you don't quite fully know what you are up to, but some mate in a pub has made some suggestions. Thinking of your 'circle', what 'starts' in the shed also 'starts' in your house. I've a mate who does Elvis impressions, I don't for one moment think that he is
.

That sounds very patronising to be honest. i am compitent but i just needed a couple of small pointers. I didnt know about the part p so thats fair enough. to everyone that has said about my family i would say that goes without saying, i would never put my family i danger so i dont need people telling me not to on a forum. All i asked for was a small amount of advise and a few people on here started to get funny. I dont see what the need for it was tbh.

 

[richardshall]

That sounds very patronising to be honest. i am compitent but i just needed a couple of small pointers. I didnt know about the part p so thats fair enough. to everyone that has said about my family i would say that goes without saying, i would never put my family i danger so i dont need people telling me not to on a forum. All i asked for was a small amount of advise and a few people on here started to get funny. I dont see what the need for it was tbh.

and please read back because i did state that it was not someone in a pub it was a QUALIFIED sparky

 

[Peter Stanley]

can you tell why u are having problems with the 50A MCB
with what u have told me the total load in the shed will not exceed 32A the cable u use between the shed and source must be rated at greater size of 32A
The protective device at source should be a an RCBO device
the shed earthing could be either TNC-S or TT

 

[unit-electric]

Richard, it sounds like the diameter of the cable is too small for 50 amps. I would advise to find out the correct Cross sectional area of the cable before you connect to anything. If the person who gave you the advise is a sparky, he should be able to help you.

And the others are right, you will have to get the work tested and verified by a qualified electrician, and then registered to the council under part P laws

 

[telectrix]

so you have to pay just to have electrics in a shed. I know loads off people with outdoor electrics and electrics in sheds who havnt had to go through all that, How come ???

basically, if they have done the work after part p was introduced in 2006, they have broken the law. it's similar to gas safe, used to be corgi, for gas. only registered gas safe personnel can do work on gas. everybody and his dog knows this. the part p regarding electrics is not so well known.

 

[rugbynick]

As the others have already told you-use a part P registered Electrician. Part P has been law for over 5 years. Check online with Elecsa or Niceic

 

[richardshall]

ok thanks, ill get it all checked anyway

 

[Rockingit]

Richard, look, sorry if offence was taken because none was meant. But the mere fact that you are asking about Part P, admitting that 'things have tripped' and setting off smoke alarms etc etc just tells us all that sadly you are NOT competent. And a 'qualified electrician' should have known better than dishing out advice about changing circuit protective devices, grades of cable and god knows what else without 1) also knowing that it would be subject to part p (assumes you're not in Scotland) and 2) that it will need testing and certifying regardless and 3) that you may not be up to do it.

Did he ask you what your Ze is at origin, length of cable required, loading calculations (with diversity applied if applicable) for voltage drop, installation method to account for thermal degradation, earthing method, equipotential bonding arrangements and means of protection before telling you to 'bung a 50A breaker on it' in order to gain a correct value of Zs to meet satisfactory disconnection times in accordance with BS7671??

Hmmm.....let me guess........

 

[richardshall]

No need to reply im sure you can guess

 

[malcolmsanford]

And if he was in Scotland .............................


Sorry lads couldn't resist

 

[Octopus]

Doesn't want to pay to have it done properly and now wants advice for free.

Sorry mate but most of the sparkies here, study, pass exams, pay their registration, pay for insurance, buy expensive testers ..... to ensure that installations are safe, meet the requriements of BS7671 and meet (where relevent) Part P requirements.

Post you location and maybe you'll get some proper hands on advice in exchange for some money.

 

[martin fuller]

hi interesting thread,
firstly what do you need 50A for in your shed for ?, then on the design side, length of cable, installation method, intended load max, etc etc, its all in 2391, basically one way would be to terminate the SWA ( 2.5 mm ) in a free standing 30 mA RCD enclosure,, gland it ( suitable IP rated) and put a 2.5 mm flex and 13 A plug on the end of it, then its just an extension lead !!

 

[Amp David]

And why the heck are you trying to wire up a circuit board to a length of SWA?