During the past 2 years I have built a patio and installed a pond. I need the following wiring up: 2 sets of patio lights; low-voltage in-pond lights; a fountain; a pond filter (external) and filter-pump (in-pond).
12 qualified electricians considered the job. Two declined; 5 said they'd come and price it, and didn't; five looked at it and gave me quotes, one of them 2 pages long. None of them returned my follow-up calls.
So I am thinking I can do it myself (if nothing else, I have learnt something from all those chin-rubbing sessions).
I would run everything from an existing 13 amp socket, through an RCD plug and a 5-gang switch. I understand that by running from the socket I am operating appliances rather than putting in a new installation, and will therefor be exempt from Local Authority inspection; not that I'm intending to do anything dangerous, but I can do without the hassle. Can I connect the single 3-core flex into the switch box and then split 5 ways within the box? The outside wiring is via pond flex either wall-mounted or run through plastic sleeving. The sleeving is either under paving or under 4 inches of stones along the line of gravel boards at the bottom of a fence. The stones will not be disturbed once the sleeving is in place.
Given all that water, and the external appliances, is the RCD sufficient protection? I don't want to discover a fried cat on the patio, or worse - that a friend idly running her hands through the water has been flung over the fence into next door's garden.
All suggestions, advice, warnings welcome.
FrankW
12 qualified electricians considered the job. Two declined; 5 said they'd come and price it, and didn't; five looked at it and gave me quotes, one of them 2 pages long. None of them returned my follow-up calls.
So I am thinking I can do it myself (if nothing else, I have learnt something from all those chin-rubbing sessions).
I would run everything from an existing 13 amp socket, through an RCD plug and a 5-gang switch. I understand that by running from the socket I am operating appliances rather than putting in a new installation, and will therefor be exempt from Local Authority inspection; not that I'm intending to do anything dangerous, but I can do without the hassle. Can I connect the single 3-core flex into the switch box and then split 5 ways within the box? The outside wiring is via pond flex either wall-mounted or run through plastic sleeving. The sleeving is either under paving or under 4 inches of stones along the line of gravel boards at the bottom of a fence. The stones will not be disturbed once the sleeving is in place.
Given all that water, and the external appliances, is the RCD sufficient protection? I don't want to discover a fried cat on the patio, or worse - that a friend idly running her hands through the water has been flung over the fence into next door's garden.
All suggestions, advice, warnings welcome.
FrankW
