Severed Switch Wire in garden

[carmo42]

Hi,

Have been doing work in the garden and have cut through the switch wire that controls my lights in my detached garage.

The cable is to damaged to repair and it now means i will have to dig a trench for a new steel armoured cable to be put down!! This is rather annoying and expensive as its a good 50 metres long.

It also means digging up my wifes flowers and new lawn!
(shes not happy).

Is there any other way around me replacing this Switch Wire? Any products people could advise on?

 

[GaryMo]

Why type of cable is it?

 

[carmo42]

Hi,

Im think its 1.5mm SWA, didnt realise quite how close it would be to the surface, got tangled in my rotavator.

 

[GaryMo]

You've obviously highlighted a problem in that the cable is too close to the surface to avoid damage from spades and tools alike.
It is repairable by using two suitable joints and a short length of cable to replace the mangled piece though that won't address the current location of the cable nor stop it happening again in the future.

 

[Chri5]

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SWJK1.html

 

[carmo42]

Just been looking on google and i have found a wirless switch by a business called sensormech.

Considering i got a quote of near enough £200 from my electrician, with the digging an relaying a new Steel armoured cable im thinking i might try a wireless switch, save the agro from the wife too!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

didnt realise quite how close it would be to the surface, got tangled in my rotavator.

That's why it's not supposed to be close to the surface.

And why there should be a warning above it to alert you in time when you are digging.

So even if you could repair the cable, it'll still be too shallow, and therefore not in compliance with the Wiring Regulations, and therefore not reasonably safe and therefore illegal.

This is rather annoying and expensive as its a good 50 metres long.

Any idea when the cable was installed, and by whom?

It also means digging up my wifes flowers and new lawn!
(shes not happy).

No real alternative unfortunately.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Considering i got a quote of near enough £200 from my electrician, with the digging an relaying a new Steel armoured cable im thinking i might try a wireless switch, save the agro from the wife too!

Why do you need to switch the garage lights from the house anyway?

And what's the betting that the supply cable to the garage is similarly at risk....