Hi To All

[Oldweedy]

Hello everyone,

   I am not a sparky but I have been renovating my own houses and outbuildings for a long time and as you can see I have survived till now with no fires or deaths (Touch wood). Workig with lots of very good sparkys in the past has given me a good level of understanding basic house lecy and I have somone qualified and trustworthy to double check when needed.

   After having to sort out many "qualified Tradesmans" bad and somtimes dangerous insalations in my home I decided from then on that DIY was a far cheeper and safer option. I Have a small income but large plans for my property so always need  wiring advice, I like to do things properly, I found your forum while browsing for cable size info and I wondered if your site could assist me?

            Thanks.

 

[matt.leung]

what help do u require?

 

[m4tty]

Welcome to the forum. Good to have you onboard

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

QUESTION 1 ?

 

[Oldweedy]

Hi guys,

      Just wondered what is the best size of cable for my workshop,

 The existing worshop is on a overhead twin and earth cable 10mm2, I have just completed my new worksop and need to fit it out, soon I hope to join the workshops together making 80mtr of floor space,  Its about time I rewired as things get added then removed and ends up a right mess, and with the new workshop to wire I thought Id take this time out to get some proper advise as to best cable size to use,

    As I do welding and use other big equipment, pluss heating and lighting, I thought I go for the bigest armoured cable that will fit my consumer unit, take this to a consumer unit in the workshop where I can run a dedicated welding socket+two inside light circuts+1 outside lighting+2 socket ring mains+1 external shed for freezer, I use large power tools a lot and somtimes run three or four when we work on big jobs, Want to try and make a functional workshop with loads of spare power when needed. The distance from unit to unit is 60mtr.. will I need a new earth and what is the bigest cable I can make use of? What are the drawbacks to having 3phase connected.

    I Need to think about making a living from my workshop soon.

Hello everyone,

   I am not a sparky but I have been renovating my own houses and outbuildings for a long time and as you can see I have survived till now with no fires or deaths (Touch wood). Workig with lots of very good sparkys in the past has given me a good level of understanding basic house lecy and I have somone qualified and trustworthy to double check when needed.

   After having to sort out many "qualified Tradesmans" bad and somtimes dangerous insalations in my home I decided from then on that DIY was a far cheeper and safer option. I Have a small income but large plans for my property so always need  wiring advice, I like to do things properly, I found your forum while browsing for cable size info and I wondered if your site could assist me?

            Thanks.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Few more thoughts to help get an idea of what you are looking for...

Have you got any power ratings for any of the tools you run frequently?

And what quantity and rating of lights / heating are you looking at?

You say you aim to make a living from your workshop...

is there any probability you may employ or work with any additional people..

i.e. more tools/power being consumed simultaneously?

Guinness

 

[philbas]

This is a good post, we know the level of competence and the requirements and the needs.

I will leave it to others to advise, but I sccobed it just for the detail given.

 

[binky]

until we get some more detail on loadings we can't quite answer query, however, I wouldn't try wiring an armored cable staright in to CU (unless it is steel clad?), might even be worth installing a steel clad switch fuse isolator like the link below. Failing that terminate SWA at adaptabel box, and run FTE into CU

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMDFS063.html

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

The only downside of 3 phase is the installation cost. Machinery running costs will be lower but as its for home  would it be worth it. Do you have 3 phase in the house.

Lastly do you know what the supply earthing arrangment is. A pic of the incoming service head and meter  may help.