Outside Mains Sockets

[Distorted Vision]

I want to have installed two 2 gang mains sockets on the front and back of my house mostly to use with the pressure washer:



I would first like to point out I'm not undertaking this job myself. I am just going to buy the parts required as I have a helpful local electrician that is happy to work on a labour only basis. I intended to use 2.5mm2 armoured cable:

https://armouredcable.net/armoured-cable/2-5mm/2-5mm-3-core-swa-armoured-cable.html

I'm assuming I need these cleats:

https://armouredcable.net/armoured-...lands/armoured-cable-gland-outdoor-cw20s.html

Is it preferable to have each socket on a separate MCB on the consumer unit or should they be joined and be on a single MCB? I have enough spares on the consumer unit.

Anything else I should be aware of? I'm guessing this would require a Part P certificate being issued.

 

[Murdoch]

Too many variables to give you constructive answers. Eyes on site trump random internet advice

 

[Apache]

If it's a new circuit then notifiable. If you could find suitable locations and spur (or extend the ring) from an existing circuit then no need to notify.

You could use SWA but if you could find a cable run from the inside directly into the outdoor socket it would look much neater.

With your intended use, I'd spur off the existing inside sockets, and do it myself. If you wanted a 32A supply for your welder - I have a very different answer.

 

[Distorted Vision]

I prefer to have it on a separate circuit rather than spur off the downstairs ring mains.

 

[Apache]

Then it's notifiable and ugly, but it's your house!

Why?

 

[Distorted Vision]

Cables will run on the side outside wall close to the ground. They will be hardly noticeable.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I want to have installed two 2 gang mains sockets on the front and back of my house mostly to use with the pressure washer:

I would first like to point out I'm not undertaking this job myself. I am just going to buy the parts required as I have a helpful local electrician that is happy to work on a labour only basis.

What recommendations does your "helpful local electrician suggest"?

And/or.. why are you asking random persons on an internet forum if you do have a good local electrician??

 

[Andy™]

would be easier for your imaginary,,,, er, helpful local electrician to supply materials that are correct and suitable rather than waste your time buying what you think is needed

 

[binky]

Then it's notifiable and ugly, but it's your house!

Why?

Depends on the wall, most rendered buildings have what I call a drip strip near the ground that you can tuck a cable neatly up to. Plus if it's down the side if the house, you never look at it anyway.

 

[binky]

I prefer to have it on a separate circuit rather than spur off the downstairs ring mains.

Always better in my opinion. If you have 2 spare ways, then 2 circuits is not a problem. Assuming you are drilling through the wall to where your CU is, then it's probably easier to terminate swa externally to a waterproof box, and take normal cable through the wall rather than terminate swa to the cu. Nb earth armour of swa at the waterproof box.

 

[UNG]

Cables will run on the side outside wall close to the ground. They will be hardly noticeable.

So how will you protect them from being damaged

 

[Mike P]

So how will you protect them from being damaged

The guy who posted said he was running Armour, so it is protected from damage.

 

[BenCos18]

So how will you protect them from being damaged

swa has a steel wire in it so should be protected enough
I know it's used a decent bit for ev chargers

 

[UNG]

swa has a steel wire in it so should be protected enough
I know it's used a decent bit for ev chargers

Really, the integity of SWA is only as good as the unbroken sheath, crack the sheath and once a bit of water gets in the armouring starts to degrade eventually turning to rust
May be you should look up reg 522.6

 

[UNG]

The guy who posted said he was running Armour, so it is protected from damage.

The outer sheath isn't Armoured in fact in cold weather it becomes very brittle and takes very little impact to split it open, now explain to me how it is protected from damage

 

[BenCos18]

Really, the integity of SWA is only as good as the unbroken sheath, crack the sheath and once a bit of water gets in the armouring starts to degrade eventually turning to rust
May be you should look up reg 522.6

I'll have a look in the morning
thanks

 

[Spoon]

The outer sheath isn't Armoured in fact in cold weather it becomes very brittle and takes very little impact to split it open, now explain to me how it is protected from damage

I think, in regards to this, it's down to the OP and his "helpful local electrician" to determine if any additional protection will be needed, besides using armoured cable.

 

[binky]

The outer sheath isn't Armoured in fact in cold weather it becomes very brittle and takes very little impact to split it open, now explain to me how it is protected from damage

Yeah, but the steel is galvanised to prevent corrosion, and the outer sheath and steel is to protect the inner live cores.

Like any cable run, including fte clipped to a skirting board, you need to assess the likelihood of impact damage, and if the likelihood is low, swa is perfectly acceptable.