Ok to run swa in pipes above ground through the garden?

[bpowell555]

Yes its another "how to wire a shed" thread! I've got no permanent structure I can run cable along and wonder if plastic pipes would be ok? Don't fancy digging a trench although I could redo a path and run a trench underneath that, but I figure pipes are easiest - and sound safe to me but no doubt you guys will know the score. The idea is for black or green (?) pipework an inch or two above ground from an FCU in the house running through about 5 meters of border along a fence...

Cheers!



ps I haven't spoken to a spark yet but expect they'd need to tie it all up for part P though I'd like to do the work myself

 

[Lectrician]

What is there to fix to?

Underground services are marked with black for electric.

Overground services are marked orange, if you feel the need for indentification between other services.

A pipe with a cable inside installed in the same way as a cable on it's tod would be on the surface is no different from the cable on it's tod........(did that make sence? Sounded a mouth full!)

 

[bpowell555]

Not much to fix to apart from the fence. I'd rather make some supports for it out of brick/wood...

Cable on its tod / in a pipe no different in regs terms? So above ground would have to be an orange pipe but otherwise is ok?

Shame about the colour

If you were to dig a trench for pipe underground what's the procedure?

Cheers!

 

[Lectrician]

You dont have to use orange over ground, only if differentiating services is a problem. I have not used orange duct, orange pyro or had to paint conduit for a long time....

Could you not fit some decent 1" timber to the base of the fence, fixed to the posts, with possibly some extra stakes to provide a more 'permentant structure'. It is the fence panels that are suspect, not the posts.

As for UG, typical suggestion is 400mm with marker tape 100mm above. If the soil is stoney, sand bedded around the cable.

This is only guidlines though. The regs are more like "cable to a depth as to not be disturbed" or similar wording.

 

[bpowell555]

Brilliant cheers that sounds like a plan

Is this sort suitable for outdoors...?
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/97987/Electrical/Conduit/Rigid-Conduit/Conduit-Pack-90m-Black

Though I don't want 90m!!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If you were to dig a trench for pipe underground what's the procedure?

 

[bpowell555]

Thanks b-a-s - as a shed afficionado no doubt you'll understand my satistaction in installing a few shelves in the mighty 7x5 today - since it was so god d*mn sunny. Got some board up with some hooks for tools too - luvvly jubbly

edit, is there an up2date version of this with the pictures working?
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=219838#219838

 

[streetlighter]

Never seen cable installed like that underground usually its in orange ducting if you are lucky normally its just buried in the ground if SWA cable.

 

[bpowell555]

Found this on terminating swa:
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27081

Figuring the cable will go overland for now at least.

Am I right in thinking if I ran the cable off a fused spur from the house the cable could be no more than 2.5mm - would that be sufficient for a light and a couple of occasional sockets 5m down into the garden? Does it need additional circuit protection? A run from the CU would be so difficult as to make it almost not worthwhile...

Cheers!

 

[Lectrician]

You dont want conduit!

You want duct...

http://www.drainageonline.co.uk/products.php?category_id=18

 

[bpowell555]

Cheers I'll hunt around on the forum for what to use

 

[bpowell555]

Hi quick question as I start to buy materials for this one... is 2.5mm ok? What if I run a 2000W circular saw plus a couple other bits?

Cheers!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You've had a month to learn about cable capacities and voltage drop - why haven't you used it?

 

[kwikfix328]

Hi quick question as I start to buy materials for this one... is 2.5mm ok? What if I run a 2000W circular saw plus a couple other bits?

Cheers!

Here is a rough guide that should help you make a more informed decision:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Charts/VoltageDrop.html

If you need to get a spark to test and inspect, or 'tie up' your new installation anyway ( as stated in your OP ) then it is probably better to get your quotes in and ask the sparky what cable he wants you to use. Your chose sparky maight have something suitable in the back of the van.

It will depend on the spark whether he decides to certify your work, if i was signing off I'd rather have the householder dig any trenches

i often have to sign for other peoples work as a supervisor/inspector in my own job- whether i sign depends on what the work is, how it was done and who did it.....

 

[RF Lighting]

edit, is there an up2date version of this with the pictures working?
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=219838#219838[/QUOTE]

Hows this?

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:swa-gland