Split load consumer unit in garage

plantyroo · 10 Nov 2007

Hi

I have recently moved into a new house and the garage (attached to the house) power and lighting, and the garden lights are being fed from a 8 way split load CU that is located witin the garage (not IP rated). There is a seperate CU in the house for the main circuits.

Is this acceptable or do I need to look at getting it changed?

thanks

Chri5 · 10 Nov 2007

How has the power been fed to the CU in the garage?

8 ways seems excessive, but then it could be full of 6amp MCBs. Any chance of a picture?

ColJack · 10 Nov 2007

perfectly acceptable providing that the cable used to supply the garage CU was suitably sized for the predicted loads...

plantyroo · 10 Nov 2007

The power to the garage CU comes off its own MCB in the main house CU.

The Garage CU has a 6amp MCB running the lights, a 16amp for the internal sockets, a 16amp for the external socket, and a 6amp one for the garden lights. Everything apart from the internal lights is on RCD side.

All the others are spare!!

I was just concerned as to if it was acceptable to have a non IP rated CU in an attached garage?

thanks

Lectrician · 10 Nov 2007

Sounds ideal TBH. Far better than others may install.

What size cable feeds this additional consumer unit and what size MCB is protecting this cable?

JohnD · 10 Nov 2007

you mean it is not IP rated for rain, splashes, water sprays or immersion?

Not a problem unless the roof leaks or you use a hosepipe inside the garage.

plantyroo · 10 Nov 2007

JohnD - yeah that's the one - There is a water pipe that runs through the garage to an external tap, other than that no roof leaks etc.

Lectrician - I've just checked and it is on a 20amp fuse in the main MCB and the cable looks like 2.5mm T & E (although I could be wrong!). The cable run is no longer than 3 or 4 metres.

sparkybob · 10 Nov 2007

Cable is fine from house to garage.
You will find that most enclosures (consumer unit boxes etc) are IP54 rated unless otherwise stated which means you cant get your fingers in and they will resist indirect sprays of water i.e. you dont actually aim the hose at the enclosure.
This is all provided that the supplied covers and seals are in place and in good repair !

Lectrician · 10 Nov 2007

I would say 2.5 is a little on the small side. It is protected by the 20amp MCB, but is still small to be feeding a CU that size, even if not currently loaded.

Nothing immediately dangerous, and the MCB would trip if the cable was overloaded.

16amp for the garage sockets provides descrimination against the 20amp, but I would still reckon an either/or when there was a fault.

plantyroo · 10 Nov 2007

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone for your responses. You do a great job. Keep up the good work.

plantyroo · 12 Nov 2007

Sorry - just one more question

Maybe I am worrying too much, but having looked more closely at the CU in the garage, the earth is being supplied by the earth cable in the 2.5mm T&E that supplies the power from the house CU.

Is this acceptable or should a seperate earth (earth rod?) be in place for the garage?

Thanks

aptsys · 12 Nov 2007

How far is the garage from the house? What earthing system do you have in the house?

JohnD · 12 Nov 2007

plantyroo said:
I have recently moved into a new house and the garage (attached to the house) ...

plantyroo · 12 Nov 2007

Hi

The garage is attached to the house and the cable run from the main CU to the garage CU is no longer than 3 or 4 metres.

The supply is TN-C-S or TNS (unfortunately it is not labelled!). All other bonding is in place.

Thanks.

JohnD · 12 Nov 2007

plantyroo said:
The supply is TN-C-S or TNS (unfortunately it is not labelled!). All other bonding is in place.

post a pic of the service head on the end of the suppliers cable, where the main fuse is, and the wires coming out of it to the meter and your consumer unit, and the G&Y bonds, and we can tell.

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Split load consumer unit in garage

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