Rewiring Sockets in Garage

[Apache]

Can we try and keep replies in this section HELPFUL and CONSTRUCTIVE.

This is specifically identified as an area for DIYers. If you don't want to help or say anything constructive then don't.

The OP is asking some advice on the best way of achieving something that they can legally do. It's not difficult or likely dangerous. Be helpful or be quiet.

 

[Apache]

Hi, at the moment the spur is from a 32amp MCB. The power rating on all the items in the garage is 240v domestic. There is a fridge , freezer, tumble dryer and a univex dough mixer and a garage door opener.

Does this help ?

What we need for rating is the wattage of the different items - so we can establish how much current you will be using. Current through a single cable is likely to be your limiting factor. How much of this are you likely going to use at once?

Does just 1 cable go to the garage - do you know what size and type?

 

[apprentice87]

This is specifically identified as an area for DIYers. If you don't want to help or say anything constructive then don't.

I was just about to say the same thing....

john...

 

[leesparkykent]

I was just about to say the same thing....

john...

pull your tongue out lol

 

[Murdoch]

What we need for rating is the wattage of the different items - so we can establish how much current you will be using. Current through a single cable is likely to be your limiting factor. How much of this are you likely going to use at once?

Does just 1 cable go to the garage - do you know what size and type?

I asked about thev cable in post number five yet no response from the ok and he's been on since!

 

[Adrian Fytche]

Wow, love a good laugh but all I really wanted to know if this circuit could be done off one spur on the fuse box ?

3 FUSED spurs and 4 double sockets.

I will lay the wiring and the sockets and spurs and then get it checked and approved by one of you sparky people. Cheers Ady.

 

[Andy™]

as i said in post 4 you can have as many points you want after the first fused spur

you will also be unlikely to get it 'checked and approved' by 'one of you sparky people' either. the best you would get would be a periodic inspection report done, which will only say that the installation is compliant or not, it will not 'approve' your work and will be useless if anyone asks for installation certificates

 

[kerching]

I asked about thev cable in post number five yet no response from the ok and he's been on since!

This was exactly my point ( in my usual roundabout way)mwhen i said about the 50/70mm for a water heater

we really need to know, amongst other things,  what size cable goes into the garage from the spur

you could feasibly wire garage in a 2.5 ring, maybe even 4mm, or a couple of radials....whatever BUT if the incoming supply to the garage is only 1mm ( YES i have seen it done many times) then if it is protected properly at the source the fuse will be lifting every time you put the dryer on, never mind anything else!

just saying

 

[Murdoch]

Wow, love a good laugh but all I really wanted to know if this circuit could be done off one spur on the fuse box ?

3 FUSED spurs and 4 double sockets.

I will lay the wiring and the sockets and spurs and then get it checked and approved by one of you sparky people. Cheers Ady.

No you can't UNLESS you add a 13A FCU before ALL of them.

PLUS you have made no attempt to confirm the cable size to the garage either!

I would get a sparky in before you starting wasting time and money.

 

[Murdoch]

This was exactly my point ( in my usual roundabout way)mwhen i said about the 50/70mm for a water heater

we really need to know, amongst other things,  what size cable goes into the garage from the spur

you could feasibly wire garage in a 2.5 ring, maybe even 4mm, or a couple of radials....whatever BUT if the incoming supply to the garage is only 1mm ( YES i have seen it done many times) then if it is protected properly at the source the fuse will be lifting every time you put the dryer on, never mind anything else!

just saying

Had this just last week except it was 100A DNO fuse, henley block, RCD, 1.5mm SWA and then at the garage he wanted more sockets......needless to say the supply "end" had to be changed first. Also connected to the RCD was a 10mm SWA cable running down the garden to where the pool had been!

 

[Rob_the_rich]

Ady, if you are unsure of what cable sizes are, go to your builders merchants and ask for a couple of inches of 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 4mm and 6mm twin and earth cable. Then compare these to the cable going to your garage. Then post the size here please.

 

[Andy™]

Had this just last week except it was 100A DNO fuse, henley block, RCD, 1.5mm SWA and then at the garage he wanted more sockets......needless to say the supply "end" had to be changed first. Also connected to the RCD was a 10mm SWA cable running down the garden to where the pool had been!

not quite 1.5, but i did find this not too long ago...

 

[Adrian Fytche]

Hi, The main supply is in to the main fuse box in the garage and then you have the spur as grey twin and earth cabling about 1cm wide going to the existing sockets.

 

[Rob_the_rich]

Blimey, we only just find out that the fusebox is in the garage.

So you are saying that there is a 32Amcb from which an approximately 1cm wide t&e cable feeds a number of sockets, how many?

What does the label say on the 32A mcb? ie is it for a socket/cooker circuit in the house? Is there a spare way in the fusebox?

Exactly how many mm wide is the existing cable? So that we can make a better guess at the conductor size.

Read the data plates on the 3 items you mentioned and post how many (A)mps or (W)atts that they use.

From what you have said so far, your existing setup sounds very dodgy.

 

[Blue Duck]

pictures speak a thousand words.

you're leaving a lot to the imagination, hopefully an Admin will allow the photo privlages on your account or you can post a link to photobucket or whatever.

 

[kerching]

A cable that is "about' 1cm could be

1.0 twin and E

1.5

2.5

1.5 3 core

1.0 3 core

just advising

 

[Andy™]

Hi, The main supply is in to the main fuse box in the garage and then you have the spur as grey twin and earth cabling about 1cm wide going to the existing sockets.

so the CU is in the garage... you could have mentioned that little snippet of information much earlier...

there is a lot more to electrics than just installing a few sockets etc, and there are many different ways to achieve the same thing, some better than others. bit hard to give a proper answer when only part of the facts are made available

i assume you have also checked the earthing is upto standard?

 

[Rob_the_rich]

Sorry Apache, but I thought it time for a musical interlude

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GEstgTAXyec?feature=oembed

 

[Sidewinder]

If it is correctly designed for the load, then anything can be achieved.

 

[user 27920]

Hi there,

I have 1 socket spur coming from the fuse box to handle the sockets in the garage. I would like to put in 3 fused spurs, one for garage door motor, one for a large dough mixer and one for a tumble dryer. I would also like to have another 4 double sockets around the garage, all preferably fused double sockets. Is this possible or would i need one ring for sockets and another from the fuse box for the fused spurs ?

Any help or rough diagrams would be very much appreciated. I am a very careful chap but would like some reassurance before I go ahead.

Thank you,

Ady

Hi there, as some have mentioned already its the cable size already feeding which is your issue.  Its unlikely to be 4 or 6mm so you would probably best install a new ring main to cope with your demand.  You can put all your FCU onto it.  

The problem is this would require running a 'new' circuit from the consumer unit and you are then breaching building regs.  Not something you sound like you would wish to risk (" a very careful chap").  

To minimise the cost you could talk to a domestic installer who could carry out the final connections ( plus testing & certification) and let you install the bulk of the ring.  You could even install the cables all the way back to your consumer unit - just not inside of it! That way you aren't breaching B.Regs you are removing the risk factor to you and your family AND saving a few bob.  Its the sort of job someone could do on a Saturday morning for a few bob of pocket money.

Good luck and let's be careful in there