Indoor FCU for outdoor electrics

Joined
28 Apr 2010
Messages
421
Reaction score
17
Location
Avon
Country
United Kingdom
My house had an FCU from the downstairs ring which connected to a spur out into the garden to provide electrics to the garage through armoured cable, however I wasn't happy with the way in which it was connected to the garage as the cable ran through the garden above ground and amongst a flower bed without additional protection!

I have rerouted the cable now and have also renovated the kitchen during which I renewed the FCU unit and cleaned up the mains ring which was a mish-mash of dodgy cabling.

I am now ready to reattach the armoured cable back into the FCU but want to verify/confirm the colouring used within the armoured cable to ensure that this was wired correctly initially.

I have installed the FCU using harmonised colours, so my question is how should these translate to the red, blue and yellow used within the armoured cabling?

IMG_20150727_155051.jpg


Appreciate your help!
 
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
It's really up to you, so long as you make it obvious what colours you've used. Logic would dictate

Red - live
Grey - neutral
Yellow - earth

Get some green yellow and blue/black sleeving over the cores. And make sure you connect it the same way at the other end!!
 
It's really up to you, so long as you make it obvious what colours you've used. Logic would dictate

Red - live
Grey - neutral
Yellow - earth

Get some green yellow and blue/black sleeving over the cores. And make sure you connect it the same way at the other end!!

Fair enough, appreciate the advice - out of curiosity, why is this armoured cable using those colours? The regs have never stated that they're formal colours right?
 
Sponsored Links
I am now ready to reattach the armoured cable back into the FCU but want to verify/confirm the colouring used within the armoured cable to ensure that this was wired correctly initially.
All we are seeing are the cores of the armoured cable. What have you done with the end of that cable and, in particular, how have you earthed the armour?

Kind Regards, John
 
It probably started out as red/yellow/blue before the blue colour faded. That was the identification for three-phase cable (and most 3-core SWA is sold for industrial use so is usually 3-phase coloured).

But to make sure you MUST check at the other end before connecting it up!!
 
It probably started out as red/yellow/blue before the blue colour faded. That was the identification for three-phase cable (and most 3-core SWA is sold for industrial use so is usually 3-phase coloured).

But to make sure you MUST check at the other end before connecting it up!!

I haven't connected the other end at this time (the garage end), its just terminated safely for the time being and I'll photograph that end to post here before connecting anything up or putting a fuse into the FCU.

The colours are Red, Yellow and Blue, it hasn't faded, its just a poor photo :)
 
I am now ready to reattach the armoured cable back into the FCU but want to verify/confirm the colouring used within the armoured cable to ensure that this was wired correctly initially.
.......... how have you earthed the armour?
Needs to be answered.... not ignored.
Also one assumes that the circuit is additionally protected by an RCD.
Is there a Consumer Unit at the garage end or does it go directly into a socket?
 
I am now ready to reattach the armoured cable back into the FCU but want to verify/confirm the colouring used within the armoured cable to ensure that this was wired correctly initially.
.......... how have you earthed the armour?
Needs to be answered.... not ignored.
Also one assumes that the circuit is additionally protected by an RCD.
Is there a Consumer Unit at the garage end or does it go directly into a socket?

And this is precisely why I have posted here, to ensure that it's done right, appreciate you pointing it out - unfortunately the way in which the cable enters the house, the armour has been stripped back to the wall line and there cannot be easily earthed at that end, however the other end of the armoured cable (in the garage) will enter a mini consumer-unit with RCD (its terminated at present before I reconnect it) in the garage before being distributed to power the lighting and a plug socket in there. Would it be acceptable to earth the armour at that end?

Appreciate your help.
 
And this is precisely why I have posted here, to ensure that it's done right, appreciate you pointing it out - unfortunately the way in which the cable enters the house, the armour has been stripped back to the wall line and there cannot be easily earthed at that end, however the other end of the armoured cable (in the garage) will enter a mini consumer-unit with RCD (its terminated at present before I reconnect it) in the garage before being distributed to power the lighting and a plug socket in there. Would it be acceptable to earth the armour at that end?
You really need the RCD before your cable leaves the house - Are you sure that the ring final circuit isn't already RCD protected? If not one of these might be an option to replace the FCU you have already.
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...pwsZur88LCQPNXYspR3MHQ4B83-SpuuZrwaApEC8P8HAQ
You need to earth the steel wire part of the cable as well as the earth cable itself.
Given that you don't have that facility at the house side then you will need to do it at the garage side with something along these lines.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...8rANI0tuM:&usg=__SdHyrItEVkwuaRfdp4guxD76WhM=
You can then run your sockets and lights from this jb.
 
the other end of the armoured cable (in the garage) will enter a mini consumer-unit
So what was it connected to before?

And why on earth do you think you should put a CU in the garage when all you have is a 13A supply?
 
You really need the RCD before your cable leaves the house - Are you sure that the ring final circuit isn't already RCD protected? If not one of these might be an option to replace the FCU you have already.

Ah sorry, yes the house is RCD protected at the main consumer unit, but the garage seems to have it's own within the mini-CU too, I'll deal with that side after I've solved the element inside the house - none of it will be 'powered' until you've confirmed that visually/in theory it is setup appropriately.

You need to earth the steel wire part of the cable as well as the earth cable itself.
Given that you don't have that facility at the house side then you will need to do it at the garage side with something along these lines.

Agreed, sounds like a good plan.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top