Garden electrics - avoiding B Regs and sparkies - DIY

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[Simpo Two]

www.amazon.co.uk/Hornby-R530-Skaledale-Pylons-Buil...

You can get sheep too!

[Jumpy Guy]

Essentially, you only need to notify if it is a permanent install. If you have a 13 amp socket then there are no issues.

I have done one where we installed a garage style DB, protected by RCD. Entire garden was then powered from the two MCB (loading permitting obv)

[Goochie]

I'd shove the cable down some Kopex (http://www.kopex.co.uk/productpage.asp?a=2) to give it a bit of protection and simply plug the cable into an RCD protected socket in the house.

Just be careful you dont connect too much in the shed.

As suggested above, it may be worth installing a small distribution board in the shed with an MCB rated less than 13A - that way it will trip in the shed if you over-load it.

[Wings]

I ran ordinary 2.5 twin & earth about 2 foot underground through piping bedded in sand, then covered in earth and chippings, from a 13 amp switched fused spur in the garage to a 13 amp twin socket in the outhouse, and from the 13 amp socket to a 3 amp switched fused spur, then to a fluorescent tube fitting. Been up and running for almost 25 years without any mishap.

If running under soil, then one needs armoured cable, and one needs to indicate clearly the line the cable take within the grounds of one’s garden/property.

[Ganglandboss]

You can install pre-wired CE marked kit in line with the manufacturer's instructions without notifying BC or getting an approved domestic installer in, providing the connection is not made in a special location (bathroom, kitchen, outdoors), unless it is an existing point - i.e. socket etc.

Jumpy Guy said:

Essentially, you only need to notify if it is a permanent install. If you have a 13 amp socket then there are no issues.

I have done one where we installed a garage style DB, protected by RCD. Entire garden was then powered from the two MCB (loading permitting obv)

I'm not sure I fully understand what you are suggesting but there is no get-out for temporary installations. Using a socket outlet instead of hard wiring it does not change anything. To clarify:

• Outside socket kit, pre-wired and CE marked with no alterations or connections other than plugging it in - okay
• Consumer unit, wiring, lights etc. all connected by yourself and then wired in via a 13A socket - not okay

Wings said:

I ran ordinary 2.5 twin & earth about 2 foot underground through piping bedded in sand, then covered in earth and chippings, from a 13 amp switched fused spur in the garage to a 13 amp twin socket in the outhouse, and from the 13 amp socket to a 3 amp switched fused spur, then to a fluorescent tube fitting. Been up and running for almost 25 years without any mishap.

If running under soil, then one needs armoured cable, and one needs to indicate clearly the line the cable take within the grounds of one’s garden/property.

Underground cables need to have a concentric earth. That means that if you put a shovel through it, the first thing you hit is an earth conductor, followed by a live conductor, resulting in operation of the protective device. The pipe will not provide that.

[Ganglandboss]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If you are installing something like this, it is fine. There is no need for all those RCDs though; as long as it is RCD protected at the supply end you are okay.

[RichB]

Funny how back in the 60's people just slung a cable over to the shed or garage on some washing line poles and ran the lights and power off that, didn't kill us mind you

[dilbert]

I should think if you got some really ropey 40yr old cable, you could do the same today.

Make sure the insulation is all hard and flaky, that the boxes and connectors are made out of really horrible old bakelite. Also make sure the dist board uses 30A wired fuses, without an RCD, and is actually a bit rusty.

Clearly it won't even be vaguely safe, but the enforcement Nazis won't be able to touch you!