Trench for external electrics

bolst3r · 6 Oct 2009

So I'm getting my house rewired and it makes sense to run power to the end of the garden to the shed. Along with electric I would like to run a water feed from a 't' on an external tap. My question is, can the water and electric feed go in the same trench and what needs to be done to make sure it conforms to current building regs

I would dig two trenches but the garden is quiet long so I would rather avoid this if possible.

Thanks

Guitarguy · 6 Oct 2009

They should be 400mm apart so that if one goes wrong there will be enough room to repair it

bolst3r · 6 Oct 2009

so if I did one trench 2x2 foot then that's ok for both feeds (water & electric) as long as I line the base with gravel and put some warning tape below the surface to warn people who may dig in the future?

RF Lighting · 6 Oct 2009

Sand would be better than gravel

It might be an idea to run the cable in a duct to enable it's replacement should it ever need to be without having to dig the garden up again.

While you're at it, lob in a spare duct with a draw rope in it for your TV, telephone, alarm, network etc cables that you might want at a later date.

ColJack · 6 Oct 2009

unless you are using a digger, then digging a 600mm deep trench 2 foot wide will be more hassle than two 600mm deep, 8 inch wide trenches.. ( or whatever the spade width is.. )

bolst3r · 6 Oct 2009

gutted, whichever way, digging a 200ft trench is going to take my builder an age.

ban-all-sheds · 7 Oct 2009

bolst3r said:
what needs to be done to make sure it conforms to current building regs

For a 200' trench with extraneous-conductive-parts at the end you're going to need a large cable, and an electrician to ensure it's all done properly - there's more to it than just chucking a cable down there.

FYI - a handy supplier of ducting etc: http://www.drainageonline.co.uk/Ducting.htm

stargazer · 7 Oct 2009

bolst3r said:
gutted, whichever way, digging a 200ft trench is going to take my builder an age.

How about using one of these

bolst3r · 7 Oct 2009

Well I have the electrician coming in a few weeks so all i'm trying to do is get the trench etc ready for him. Is it better to run armored cable rather than normal electrical cable in ducting? Which is cheaper?

Is a 200ft run quite far? I would like electric at the end of the garden but it's not essential, just thought it made sense as i'm having a lot of work done at the moment. If it's really expensive I will leave it.

ban-all-sheds · 7 Oct 2009

bolst3r said:
Well I have the electrician coming in a few weeks so all i'm trying to do is get the trench etc ready for him.

He is the ONLY one who may specify the route, depth, and preparation of the trench - you MUST ask him.

Is it better to run armored cable rather than normal electrical cable in ducting? Which is cheaper?

1) Your electrician is the ONLY one who may specify the type of cable and method of installation - you MUST ask him.

2) Your design should not be based on what is cheapest.

Is a 200ft run quite far? I would like electric at the end of the garden but it's not essential, just thought it made sense as i'm having a lot of work done at the moment. If it's really expensive I will leave it.

61m is not an impossible distance to traverse, but neither is it short enough to do without a bit of thought. Your electrician is the best person to discuss this with you, establish your needs and the best way to meet them.

Chri5 · 8 Oct 2009

Due to length there will be cable calcs for volt drop and for your required or potential load.

You need to consider what services will be used. Will it be the odd power tool or a fully operational garden office with heating, lighting, appliances etc.

The cable should be SWA. 10mm 2 core, so the earth is provided via the armour is 'about' £2.50 a metre.

CortinaV8 · 8 Oct 2009

Is there any requirement to bury either of the two cables? would it not be more cost effective to run both above ground in the apropriate way?

It's a shame tesla died, wireless electric would have been perfect in this situation

ban-all-sheds · 8 Oct 2009

And it would provide a regular supply of cooked pigeons for the table....

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Trench for external electrics

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