DIY Electrics to garage

Just buy some second hand 2.5mm, potentially 4mm, armoured cable, take it off a socket in the house and then add a socket the other end. Done properly then and no one is doing to dig through it.
 
Doobedoo said:
Previous owners ran a feed to the shed for pond pump ect, they used swa (steel wire armoured) with a plug fitted at the house end. First thing I did was to buy an RCD. Better safe than sorry.

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I've got one of those of my extension to the garage, some people had said it was pointless as i've got RCD protection in my consumer unit but no one could tell me if there'd be any detrimental effect using an extra RCD just in case so i've kept it.
 
Nathan said:
Just buy some second hand 2.5mm, potentially 4mm, armoured cable, take it off a socket in the house and then add a socket the other end. Done properly then and no one is doing to dig through it.
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I don't really like the idea of going off a socket, I was hoping an 13a plug would be safer and have the ability to physically remove the plug if away etc, It not needed to be permanent just have a bit of time spare and would like it to be discrete and tidier.

I will probably run it across the wall and into the garage.

I was going to run it under the side wall and through the back of the garage.

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As I have said before on here if you are going to dig anything in the ground put in some duct. I use 40mm waste pipe with push fit connectors for kitchen sinks - It's cheap enough and gives you a chance of putting in another cable etc. Use swept 90deg bends not short 90 deg then you can either rod it or put a draw rope in when you lay the duct.
If you did that then I can't see any reason why you can't just use your extension lead as you suggested but in a safer way.
 
Welshman said:
because the OP says he wants too.....just leaving it trailing along the garden or grass etc would look unsightly.

And is it really a bodge job.
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Yes it is a bodge job because it isn't outdoor grade cable (atmospheric conditions is what will eat the copper) and plumber waste pipe isn't resilient to a spade. Burying it half assed is more dangerous than leaving it above ground as an extension lead. Source: I used to trail an extension lead to charge my electric car.
 
Bug One said:
Armoured cable isn't even that expensive. If you're going to the bother of digging (through the concrete as well?), use the right type of cable at least. Even if it's not properly terminated at the ends.
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This 100%.

You could always earth the sheathing at the garage end anyway (with a proper gland and an earth rod)
So the main wire earth would earth to the house but the sheath to ground directly.

Its still a bodge but its a bit safer a bodge
 
dLockers said:
Yes it is a bodge job because it isn't outdoor grade cable (atmospheric conditions is what will eat the copper) and plumber waste pipe isn't resilient to a spade. Burying it half assed is more dangerous than leaving it above ground as an extension lead. Source: I used to trail an extension lead to charge my electric car.
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its underground, what atmospheric conditions will eat the copper.......i have had electric cable tacked to my fence from an outdoor socket, run down to my shed to use tv, computer, wifi etc etc now for 10yrs....copper not been eaten by anything

Next door neighbour has the same running to his hottub for over 20yrs pinned to his fence....copper not been eaten either. So your casing point doesnt hold water im afraid.
 
Welshman said:
its underground, what atmospheric conditions will eat the copper.......i have had electric cable tacked to my fence from an outdoor socket, run down to my shed to use tv, computer, wifi etc etc now for 10yrs....copper not been eaten by anything

Next door neighbour has the same running to his hottub for over 20yrs pinned to his fence....copper not been eaten either. So your casing point doesnt hold water im afraid.
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Aye lad they just make outdoor grade for fun.
 
dLockers said:
Aye lad they just make outdoor grade for fun.
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they make outdoor grade to buried if its never going to be dug back up or struck by a digging tool....the OP is putting it underground against the wall in his own garden, so should know its there if hes doing other work in the future.

If he sells the property, take the plugs off and pull the cable back out, no issue, no dramas.

Why do people need to make mountains out of mole hills....
 
I was debating popping this on here as I knew it would get some comments ha! Its cost me £15 in total and probably about a half day's work. Like I said it's just for ease of use, no putting extensions away at night. No access to my garage unless the door was open. I often pop out so thought this would be a nice simple idea. Guess not! I don't really need to buy armored cable if this is in conduit clipped to the wall? I will not be burying it. The cable is free as I will be using an outdoor extension. There is no concrete digging, it's an easy job.
 
Steven Rimmington said:
I was debating popping this on here as I knew it would get some comments ha! Its cost me £15 in total and probably about a half day's work. Like I said it's just for ease of use, no putting extensions away at night. No access to my garage unless the door was open. I often pop out so thought this would be a nice simple idea. Guess not! I don't really need to buy armored cable if this is in conduit clipped to the wall? I will not be burying it. The cable is free as I will be using an outdoor extension. There is no concrete digging, it's an easy job.
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crack on fella....it wont be an issue, but you will always get naysayers in life, they make lots of noise for no reason, than just to be heard.
 
Steven Rimmington said:
I was debating popping this on here as I knew it would get some comments ha! Its cost me £15 in total and probably about a half day's work. Like I said it's just for ease of use, no putting extensions away at night. No access to my garage unless the door was open. I often pop out so thought this would be a nice simple idea. Guess not! I don't really need to buy armored cable if this is in conduit clipped to the wall? I will not be burying it. The cable is free as I will be using an outdoor extension. There is no concrete digging, it's an easy job.
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Why even bother with conduit? Just run the cable if that is your plan.
 
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