Which armoured cable and parts do I need?

psd99

psd99

psd99

Soldato
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7 Sep 2008
Posts
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Hi all,

I am replacing some professional wiring from the 1990’s:

2n08x0w.jpg


someone 30 years or so ago did the above for a pond pump.
I was gobsmacked when I saw an extension lead plugged into a double socket running over 30 metres to power a pond pump like this. What were they thinking lol maybe outdoor wiring then was not as good as today?

It is about a 30 metre distance needed to power up a pond pump and possibly some lighting for the pond in future (although I have not had a chance to think too much about this yet)

I am looking to replace the cable as it was just normal cable put inside plastic tubing.

I believe armoured cable is the right cable to use here but but which one should I use? Ie mm? 3 core?

Considering to use a FCU inside the garage to control this pond pump, as opposed to plugging it in like the previously owners did.

- which cable?
- what glands?
- which cleats for the wall
- which outside junction box is sufficient for this project?

Thanks in advance

P.s armoured cable looks solid might need a hacksaw here!
 
Even if you ran some flex from that outdoor socket to your pond and put a plug
On the end afterwards it would be fine. Will be fully protected by an rcd.

My parents one is pinned alonng the bottom of the fece keeps it out the way and safe from accidents.
 
Good suggestion but that cable can’t be buried underground plus I would probably need to get a tube for it.
 
Ignore the poor advice here. Your original thought was correct. 3 core SWAC 1.5mm2. Terminated with a gland kit into a IP66 waterproof socket or a wiska box. Running non SWAC in a garden environment at mains voltage is asking for trouble either through accidentally severing it or rodent attack. Rodents eat the sheathing which can lead to water ingress.
 
As above, you should use Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable for outside/underground for protection purposes.

It is more expensive and difficult to terminate but you only need basic hand tools e.g. Hacksaw, knife, spanners.

Here's a link to how to do it and what it looks like:
https://youtu.be/yPg74rD2j_s
 
At 30m and assuming that you are only going to be pulling a Max load of 3kw (13 amps) 1.5mm should be fine. Toolstation should also be able to supply you with the correct gland kit for that cable. You may want to consider an in-line switch in the garage, rather than just going straight into an FCU. This will allow you to turn it on and off, rather than using an MCB, which is never ideal.
 
What is the adv
SimonR said:
At 30m and assuming that you are only going to be pulling a Max load of 3kw (13 amps) 1.5mm should be fine. Toolstation should also be able to supply you with the correct gland kit for that cable. You may want to consider an in-line switch in the garage, rather than just going straight into an FCU. This will allow you to turn it on and off, rather than using an MCB, which is never ideal.
Click to expand...

What would the max load be later on for a bunch of mains powered lights for the pond do u think? Would it exceed 3kw?
 
I think what needs to be considered here is where and how the armoured is going to terminated at the supply end?

Assuming the pump is rated at 13A;

If this is going back to a consumer unit then then the highest rated MCB you will be able to fit ‘without’ fusing down is a 10Amp.
If you want to supply more (providing your chosen cable will handle it) then you will want to fuse this down to whatever your pump manufacturer advises. So let’s say this is 13A then you will need a fused switched of some kind at some point along the line before the pump. The linked switch is not fused.

If you are connecting this SWA to a existing circuit then you need to make sure that the cable is either rated to the supply MCB of that circuit and then correctly fused down for the pump (if socket circuit then 1.5mm over 30m will not be enough)
You can, however, run 1.5mm from a higher rated circuit providing you fuse down before the cable. So if a socket circuit again you will fit a fused spur to the existing circuit to enable you to fuse down to make it safe for the cable you are fitting.

I wouldn’t advise fitting an armoured gland to a plastic back-box if this is what you were thinking. Instead use a plastic or metal enclosure or metal clad accessory.

More information is required to advise on the best installation method.
 
mattyy said:
I think what needs to be considered here is where and how the armoured is going to terminated at the supply end?

Assuming the pump is rated at 13A;

If this is going back to a consumer unit then then the highest rated MCB you will be able to fit ‘without’ fusing down is a 10Amp.
If you want to supply more (providing your chosen cable will handle it) then you will want to fuse this down to whatever your pump manufacturer advises. So let’s say this is 13A then you will need a fused switched of some kind at some point along the line before the pump. The linked switch is not fused.

If you are connecting this SWA to a existing circuit then you need to make sure that the cable is either rated to the supply MCB of that circuit and then correctly fused down for the pump (if socket circuit then 1.5mm over 30m will not be enough)
You can, however, run 1.5mm from a higher rated circuit providing you fuse down before the cable. So if a socket circuit again you will fit a fused spur to the existing circuit to enable you to fuse down to make it safe for the cable you are fitting.

I wouldn’t advise fitting an armoured gland to a plastic back-box if this is what you were thinking. Instead use a plastic or metal enclosure or metal clad accessory.

More information is required to advise on the best installation method.
Click to expand...

Hey I was thinking of fitting this before the cable in the garage off of a socket that is running on the garage circuit already:

https://www.toolstation.com/axiom-13a-fused-spur/p95225


Does that look okay to u? Prob buy the mk version though.

Do u have examples of a sufficient enclosure for this project?
 
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