tyron.c

Hi all!

I need some power in my garage, so i can have light when i work in there in the evenings. Its in a block at the end of my row of houses, and has no power.
One of my neighbouring garages has wired up a security light, by running cable from there house, down the back garden, down the alleyway to the garage.
I think they have used normal cable, no armoured stuff.
How would i run power? armoured cable from house to garage? what do i need? what are the rules and regs for this? Could i sneakily run a feed from the security light
I wouldnt mind a light and a plug socket if possible!

Please help guys! When i leave for work at 5.30am i cannot sse in the garage to remove all my chains + locks, so the bike isnt getting the use it deserves

Pro Boy

buy a torch cheaper

tyron.c

cant plug things the kettle into my torch

lightwave693

is it justa light your planning on using in the garage or power tools etc too?
anything over 13amps?

tyron.c

Just a light would be great, power tools/kettle/radio a bonus!

scoobywrxuk300

Invite a sparky to give you a quote.. There are now rules and laws covering electrical work, if hard wired into your ring main. part p.... Id buy an extention lead, as heavy duty as possible, cut it down to the required length, eg, so you dont have any left coiled up, pass it through some armoured cladding, or go to your local Diy store, and purchase some twin and earth, a double socket and plug,

lightwave693

you can run a cable from your house to your garage, armoured cable would be best as its going out doors, getting it ungeround would be good. if your just planning on using things that would work around the house like a drill, kettle and a light then i can see a problem with running a cable and having a 4 socket multiplug at the end, as long as its dry. if you over load the multiplug then the fuse will pop.

or you could wire directly into your house RCB and just have it trip when overloaded.

ive done this before and had no problems

tyron.c

how far undergorund does the armoured cable need to be?
What cable would you suggest i use to run?

Leeroy

Hello m8. Certainly don't tap into the neighbours light supply if youn want more than a light - you'll more than likely overload/trip if you add load. This is also non-compliant with BS7671 IEE Wiring Regulations.

By law you now have to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations when making electrical alterations to a domestic property. Part P basically mandates BS7671. In a nutshell, all you are officially allowed to do is replace existing cables/circuits like for like and make very minor alterations to circuits i.e. add a spur socket. Fitting a new supply to a garage is classified more seriously in Part P and you should get a competent sparky to fit, verify, inspect and test to ensure compliance. That's the official line

Hypothetically, the best thing to do is run a new feed from the house into the garage by either armoured cable or singles in conduit. You'll then need a garage consumer unit, which is a simple 2-way unit which has RCD protection on the incomer and 2 MCB's for lighting (6A) and socket circuits (16A). You can then wire to the socket/light in singles in conduit or again in armoured cable/MICC etc.

Leeroy

Be careful - earth & short circuit fault disconnection may be compromised due to excessive length of circuit and added impedance. Overload is just one factor..

Leeroy

Around 300mm is good - 450 is preferred. Cable should be XLPE/SWA/PVC 3-core, sized between 2.5 - 6mm depending on the supply MCB rating and distance to garage.

tyron.c

specken ze deusch?

English fella, slow down i dont understand all the tech stuff!

Leeroy

Cheeky git! This was written in response to lightwave693!

It translates as 'don't go assuming it's correct just because it works'

Also, it's 'sprechen' not 'specken'

GeoffMM

i ama qualified electrician and my advice is dont do it. A maximum of 2 years in prison and up to 10k fine would put anyone off. If you dont belive me type in part p electrical and it will demonstrate why this rule has been brought to force,.

Lee D T

iTrader: (1)

Take Leeroys advice,

Dont use PVC twin and earth outside, sun light degrades it rapidly, I bet your neighbours cable is pale in colour and very brittle.

How long would the cable need to be?

scoobywrxuk300

So is this way covered by part p???

GeoffMM

the electrical conversion you need to consider is

Design Current
------------------------------------------------- divide
temp, lenth run, ext influences, type cable.

and then you need to consider volt drop.

GeoffMM

this is definately not covered by part p. cut up an extension lead, sounds like crazy talk.

costs,

garage connected to house, £280 = £130 worth of materials
Within 20ft, £430 = £290 "

There is a lot of equipment used and remember to get a nic eic certificate to cover the works or you could be in hot water!

Remeber in 2004 copper was £230 per tonne and as pf last month it's at £412 per tonne which is why price b is more expensive

Leeroy

Agree that it's a good thing and in theory should improve the safety of domestic installations in the long run. Difficult to police what people do though and prove when it was done.... Also, most people are still blissfully unaware of the regs.

Lee D T

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately,

Until some one stops B&Q selling cable and switch gear a dodgy DIY'er like his neighbour will carry on installing circuits that are potentially dangerous.

GeoffMM

yes i agree and the rules are very idealistic but are for every one's safety in the long. the day's are coming where are you going to have to sell your house complete with an electrical test certificate to prove its safe.

i cant wait. with all the extra work i can buy a scoobyclinic sc450 conversion.
:-)

tyron.c

Lol, it was so long ago i learnt that at school
Cheers for the input, some of it went over my head though, lol

tyron.c

Not sure, 30-40 meters......

scoobywrxuk300

Am i right in thinking he is wanting an occasional light in his garage? I dont think he is wanting to convert his garage into a workshop...! no different to plugging your lawn mower in is it? a light in his garage? fair enough if he is wanting to run tumble dryer etc but a light ffs...

as for copper price, i guess this is a bonus of being a ploomer

scoobywrxuk300

You deffo need a sparky....! and a good spade...

speedking

Is the cable running over other people's property / public land?

speye91

Should this not be in DIY.