Hi,
I found this forum after researching into the possibilty of adding another socket to the existing wiring in my garage. After reading the posts and advice, I'm now worried about the existing wiring, never mind adding anything new!
Here's a very crude drawing of the existing setup:
This was installed with the house, new build 10 years ago. Initially, I though all was well but I've found the following "features" which seem a little concerning:
1) The connection to the garage is a spur from the ring final, not a radial circuit from the house CU as I expected.
2) The spur from the ring final is standard 2.5mm unprotected cable through the cavity to an outside connection box. It doesn't travel directly into the back of the connection box but comes in from underneath. Is this normal?
3) By having the garage CU split the lighting and sockets, does this not constitute a spur off a spur?
4) Again at the FCU, is this not a spur off a spur (... off a spur!)
I'd like to add another double socket at the front of the garage and was planning to spur this off the existing double. However it would appear I have more spurs than Clint Eastwood!
My thoughts are that the garage should be fed from a new MCB in the house CU. However the only spare slot is marked "B G J W D"?
NB: Both house and garage CU have RCD devices in them. I'd be tempted to add the additional socket myself but wiring an additional MCB would be a job for a sparky.
Any advice on the safety of the existing setup?
Regards,
Ken.
I found this forum after researching into the possibilty of adding another socket to the existing wiring in my garage. After reading the posts and advice, I'm now worried about the existing wiring, never mind adding anything new!
Here's a very crude drawing of the existing setup:
This was installed with the house, new build 10 years ago. Initially, I though all was well but I've found the following "features" which seem a little concerning:
1) The connection to the garage is a spur from the ring final, not a radial circuit from the house CU as I expected.
2) The spur from the ring final is standard 2.5mm unprotected cable through the cavity to an outside connection box. It doesn't travel directly into the back of the connection box but comes in from underneath. Is this normal?
3) By having the garage CU split the lighting and sockets, does this not constitute a spur off a spur?
4) Again at the FCU, is this not a spur off a spur (... off a spur!)
I'd like to add another double socket at the front of the garage and was planning to spur this off the existing double. However it would appear I have more spurs than Clint Eastwood!
My thoughts are that the garage should be fed from a new MCB in the house CU. However the only spare slot is marked "B G J W D"?
NB: Both house and garage CU have RCD devices in them. I'd be tempted to add the additional socket myself but wiring an additional MCB would be a job for a sparky.
Any advice on the safety of the existing setup?
Regards,
Ken.