POWER TO MY SHED.

[The Sligo Rover]

I have a Compton concrete sectional garage/shed which is where I have started my model railway. I am slightly hampered by not having a permanent power supply to it. I can get power to it by running a new feed from the consumer unit in my garage, along the external wall of the house, digging across two paths and about 8 metres of grass to lay armoured cable to it. All at a cost of course. Also I am not sure how easy it will be to drill through the concrete section of the garage/shed to poke the cable through as when I have drilled it for another fixing it is very hard.
I can run my extension lead to the shed but I am always a bit cautious in the wet. Has anybody got any experience of anything similar and how many socket outlets am I likely to need for my model railway bearing in mind that one outlet will be for my light. Also, should I have all the socket outlets together, or spread along the two walls where my railway will hopefully run.

[Walkingthedog]

Drilling through the concrete shouldn’t be a problem you just need the right tool for the job. You need to borrow or hire a powerful hammer drill which takes SDS drill bits.

[Brian]

Hi
In the UK you are not permitted to install any services as you're suggesting, unless your a qualified electrician (then the question wouldn't be asked) or you have to pay the local council to approve your plans and than have them come and inspect, test and pass the work. Building regulation part P covers this work and must be adhered too. Its the law!

To Note: External power requires at least 6.0mm2 SWA served by a 32Amp MCB and ideally an 30ma trip RCD protected supply at the house end and a further minimum two way consumer unit at the far remote end, with normally a 80Amp main switch and 6Amp MCB for lighting and one or more 16Amp MCB or one 32Amp MCB for power. SWA must be buried to at least 450mm deep and if likely to be disturbed to 700mm depth and then covered with sand and a marker tape or similar on top throughout its entire underground run. See for some detail... https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/7.13.3.htm

[IanS]

I've not been in the position you're in, but ......

Experience with computing and using the garage suggests that the four corners should be the minimum locations of the outlets. Each location should have at least 2 doubles for best flexibility.

Think in terms of what you're going to plug in.

1) Lighting (overhead)
2) Heating (unless alternative arrangments are to be made)
3) Soldering station
4) Test track transformer
5) Main track transformer(s)
6) Computer
7) Wi-fi extender
8) TV (maybe not - but good to have option)
9) Music centre for CD's - or separates system in which case 2 or 3 sockets occupied!
10) Charger for phone
11) MP3 player
Whilst most of these would be optional and not draw much current, you should produce your own list.

and as Brian states, unless you're a competent person, i.e. a qualified electrician, then you're only allowed to work beyond the sockets, not from the consumer unit.

[RAF96]

It used to be that you could do the work yourself then have it tested and certified by a competant/qualified person but now it has to have a final chit from the council.

I am in process of buying a house that has had the garage converted to an office/studio and the legal guys want to see the associated paperwork. If I accept it as is then it befalls me to prove the paperwork else the work can be revoked and all associated costs are mine.

I consider myself a competant person having rewired houses, etc and been complemented on my work by the Electrictiy Board guy inspecting the work but now I can do little more than change a bulb, put a plug on or swap out a duff switch.

Rob

[The Sligo Rover]

Thank you for your replies, sorry if I have misled you but I do not intend to do it myself for the reasons that you have outlined (except maybe digging the trench to 700 mm). I have already made a few enquiries and am aware of what is required and that I will need to get it done professionally. I am beginning to think that it may not get signed off due to costs by SWMABO and that I will just have to run on an extension lead as best I can.

[Walkingthedog]

Strange how we always assume people are not going to get professional help

My neighbour has just run an armoured cable from his garage into his new shed. A sparky then arrived and attached both ends.

[dynax]

Solar charger, leisure battery, 1000w minimum inverter,

[Brian]

Strange how we always assume people are not going to get professional help

My neighbour has just run an armoured cable from his garage into his new shed. A sparky then arrived and attached both ends.

Nothing strange at all. The OP stated in post #1 that he was going to undertake the works - "I can get power to it by running a new feed from the consumer unit in my garage, along the external wall of the house, digging across two paths and about 8 metres of grass to lay armoured cable to it."
But has now said he is going to get professional help, assuming costs are acceptable to higher authorities!

What must be understood is the forum is read by anyone whether competent or not in electrical installation works and the forum has to ensure anything posted is factually correct or guidance given to ensure all readers understand relevant rules, regulations or anything else legal that may apply.

[Walkingthedog]

I am aware of that FB. To be fair he says he is running the cable not doing the wiring. Not easy with armoured cable.
Main query is drilling an 'ole.