Any sparkys here? - Need help running power to new shed

danny_mac

danny_mac

danny_mac

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Just about to put up a new shed approx 15m away from house. Obviously want power in it for a couple of sockets and lighting. Our main consumer board is in a very awkward position to run armoured cable from it to the new shed.

We have an existing internal socket in the kitchen which is on the main ring which would be ideal if i can run a spur from it to the shed.

Can this be done? do i just run armoured cable from the socket in some conduit underground to the shed, then to a fused outlet, then from that to the lighting / sockets?

Alternatively can i run a spur from the socket to a new consumer unit in the shed, and then all wiring from the new consumer unit.

I know a lot of people are going to say just get a qualified electrician in to do it, but if its relatively simple to do ill have a go at it myself and save me self a few hundred quid.
 
I had what you suggest in my last house. Basically previous owner had taken a feed from the ring main and fed it into the shed x2 with a consumer unit in there. Was not good as you were taking a lot more Amps from that excising ring main.

I replaced it by putting a new fuse/trip switch(MCB) etc in the main consumer unit in the house (fuse box) and running armoured cable outside into the shed.

I would think that is your best option. That was a few years ago when you were allowed to change a plug without notifying the prime minister and putting an ad in the local paper telling everyone you are about the electrocute the whole town.

These days I believe you have to get someone in to do the work, but I don't know the logistics of that or the laws.


Hope some of this helps
 
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As mentioned it will be an absolute pig running the cable from our main consumer unit.

Im thinking a spur from the internal socket into a fuse box, then onto a juntion box and onto lighting / socket.
 
I ran a cable from an internal RCD plug to a plug socket outside my house, Inside this plug socket i wired the armoured cable and just ran it to the lighting and a socket in my shed, not sure how safe it was but think any issues were covered with the RCD added to the circuit.
 
From a socket in the kitchen I have:-

1: Ran a spur to a 13amp fused connection unit (looks like a cooker switch) so I can isolate the garage from within the house.
2: Ran armoured cable from that unit through the wall, under the lawn down the side of the drive, through the garage wall into a small consumer box.
3: Ran four 50w florescent lights from one circuit and four double gang plugs from another.

All checked out, signed off and certificated by my electrician friend.

I have to say though, if you're having to ask how to do it on an internet forum then you really should be getting in an electrician to do the work. By all means position and mount the lights/sockets / lay the armoured cable and drill the walls/shed but get the electrican to hook everything up.
 
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You are definately going to need to get it signed off by a electrician.

I'd recommend you find a electrician who is going to be prepared to do the signing off, and ask what are your choices for your particular installation.

I'm not qualified, but I suspect you'll need to do something like the following:

1. Install a suitably rated MCB in a spare slot of your consumer unit, or extend your existing consumer unit with an additional small consumer unit.

2. Run a suitably rated length of twin core and earth from the consumer unit to the point at which the cabling is going to break out to the outside.

3. Fit a junction box at this breakout point, and connect the twin core and earth run.

4. Connect the armoured cable to the junction box, and run it to the inside of the shed.

5. Fit a small consumer unit in the shed, connect the armoured cable to it.

6. Run whatever circuits you need from this consumer unit.
 
Im wanting to do this, but the ***** way - a normal extension lead from in the house under the patio into the shed. The lighting will be taken care of with some solar powerd jobbys.
 
Seriously get someone in. So what if it costs money, at least it will be done correctly. Why chance something you don't understand fully.

Get the experts in, plus I am pretty sure they won't find it hard taking a feed from the Consumer unit to your new shed.


Defcon5. Not a good idea, have you thought about moisture, elements and possible things chewing through your cable? That is why there is armoured cable.
 
2 ways, either run a temporary connection using a flexible lead and an RCD or do the job correctly and get an electrician in.
Either are safe and acceptable.
 
Magic_x_uk said:
Defcon5. Not a good idea, have you thought about moisture, elements and possible things chewing through your cable? That is why there is armoured cable.
Click to expand...

Surely with it being under a patio and encased in concrete would negate the need for armoured cable?
 
Tbh. Id take a RCD fused spur from that socket (make sure its on the ring) 13amp fuse, Then run a twin and earth through some conduit to the shed to a socket and one more fused spur for the lighting with a 3amp fuse.

The proper way is from the CU with all the stuff mentioned but I can almost guarantee you wont be wanting to pay a electrician to do that.

The above way you have your RCD spur protecting the cable into the shed and then your normal spur fused down to 3amps for your lighting. Unless the shed is massive and you are going to be running loads of naughty powered equipment from it. It will be fine.
 
ZG002 said:
Tbh. Id take a RCD fused spur from that socket (make sure its on the ring) 13amp fuse, Then run a twin and earth through some conduit to the shed to a socket and one more fused spur for the lighting with a 3amp fuse.

The proper way is from the CU with all the stuff mentioned but I can almost guarantee you wont be wanting to pay a electrician to do that.

The above way you have your RCD spur protecting the cable into the shed and then your normal spur fused down to 3amps for your lighting. Unless the shed is massive and you are going to be running loads of naughty powered equipment from it. It will be fine.
Click to expand...

Trust me I'm a doctor!
How come, when you want a new kitchen you phone a joiner. Bathroom tiling, phone a tiler. New central heating system phone a Corgi registered plumber.
Add a new socket/shower/wire a shed etc I will do it myself it'll be reet!
What you are asking him to do is commit a criminal offence under the building regulations part P.
I will now let you guess what I do for a living?
 
No you got it I'm a Spark, the worlds most thankless trade! "Oh great I have come home to a house with all my wallpaper ruined and plaster knocked off the walls!"
As posted above a suitable extension lead protected by an RCD and run out when needed is the cheap safe option until you can afford to have the job done correctly.
(however I still suspect a bloke from the pub will do it!)
I am employed by a company and therefore I don't need additional work but I would recommend a local electrician, they don't all charge an arm and a leg! After all we are in a recession and I am sure many will be glad of the work.
 
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