Electrics to Garage

[dbx]

Hi All

Been in my house for 3 years and although I've never had any issues, the previous owners have run electrics to the outside garage and I need to know if its ok or not.
Its 2.5mm T&E on a 32a MCB from the CU which also has a 80a RCD fitted, then into some flexible conduit (looks like stuff from wickes) which is buried under a block drive for about 6m then surfaces in the garage and is split by a junction box to the lights and to a 13amp fused spur which supplies the mains.

Is it ok or should I pull the plug??

db

[notb665]

Junction box? (Not the best thing). Maybe you mean switchfuse unit, or a mini-CU? Any chance of a picture?

In any case the lights should be on 6A fused spur.

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[securespark]

Or a 5 or 3A if you can't find a 6A cartridge fuse.

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[Adam_151]

securespark wrote:

Or a 5 or 3A if you can't find a 6A cartridge fuse.

*Gets cd marker pen out* What about this one?

[plugwash]

ok potential major issues with your setup (some of which have already been mentioned.

1: 32A is too high for a single run of 2.5mm T&E (is your CU a type that its still easy to get breakers for? post a pic if unsure).
2: The lights should be fused down as mentioned above
3: just what is this conduit like, it really needs to incorporate a metal layer and that metal layer needs to be earthed if you are using it to run T&E underground.

btw how is the block drive layed? if the block are just layed in sand you can probablly lift them without destroying them if you need to redo the supply to the garage.

[dbx]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I've done some digging around and found out that there are 2 cables in the conduit from the CU a 2.5mm and a 1.5mm.
The mains is on its own 32A MCB and the other is on the same lighting circuit as the kitchen (2x60w) and external light (100w).
The cables enter the garage then go into 2 junctions one for the lights with no other fuses and the mains one goes to a 13A switched spur.
Some pictures are at:

http://www.dbeevers.v21hosting.co.uk/electrics/cu.JPG
http://www.dbeevers.v21hosting.co.uk/electrics/trunk.JPG
http://www.dbeevers.v21hosting.co.uk/electrics/switch.JPG
http://www.dbeevers.v21hosting.co.uk/electrics/junc.JPG


thanks

db

[ban-all-sheds]

dbx wrote:

The mains is on its own 32A MCB

As plug said - 32A is too high a rating for 2.5mm² T/E....

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[chrislangham]

Dear db,
Did you test your work after you finished it?
What readings did you get?
Is the system therefore safe?

Chris

[ban-all-sheds]

Chris - what work do you think dbx has done?

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[chrislangham]

I am asking

[dbx]

hi
Thanks for all your replies have been away and just got back.
No testing but the work was in when we bought the house.
I've never had any problems with shorts or fuseing.

dbx

[ban-all-sheds]

ban-all-sheds wrote:

Chris - what work do you think dbx has done?

chrislangham wrote:

I am asking

No you're not - you asked him:

chrislangham wrote:

Dear db, Did you test your work after you finished it?

So I'll ask you again - please read dbx's original post, and tell us what work he has done that he would need to test?

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I mustn't warn people that the "experts" on the plumbing forum can't be trusted to tell the truth.

[netsidedeveloper]

Can anyone explain why a 32A MCB is not suitable for 2.5mm T/E when the majority of domestic ring mains and radial circuits use it ?

[Steve]

netsidedeveloper wrote:

Can anyone explain why a 32A MCB is not suitable for 2.5mm T/E when the majority of domestic ring mains and radial circuits use it ?

ring mains have 5mm² cable - there are 2 cables supplying every socket

[netsidedeveloper]

Thanks...