Shack electrics advise please.

Jimmyjaffa · 20 Aug 2018

Hi all, I think this might not be possible but I will ask all the same. I've created a shack where I'm restoring a car. What I want to do if possible is run armour cable from house consumer unit to a water proof plug outside which could be used to power the cosumer unit in my shack, and when not in use I could unplug it. The shack will only need to run strip lights and about 4 double sockets to run compressor, angle grinder etc but also a welder from time to time. The shack is only going to be temporary as I'm moving house in the near future and will be taken.down.

Many thanks for any advise

Jim

ban-all-sheds · 20 Aug 2018

With supply limited to 13A there is no point having a CU in the shack. And temporary installations have to be just as safe etc as permanent ones. The SWA should go to the outbuilding for sockets, with an FCU to provide the lighting circuit.

I suggest you use an electrician - this work is notifiable, and it should be properly tested.

You might need permission from your DNO for the compressor and the welder.

ericmark · 21 Aug 2018

Likely need a 32A supply, which will need a dedicated supply from consumer unit, which means notifying, so not a DIY job. Get rid of compressor and welder than another story.

Risteard · 21 Aug 2018

ban-all-sheds said:
With supply limited to 13A

Where do you get that from?

I read it as a BS EN 60309 commando socket. Still don't see the sense in using a plug and socket arrangement though.

ban-all-sheds · 21 Aug 2018

Risteard said:
Where do you get that from?

From reading it as a BS 1363 socket.

Jimmyjaffa · 21 Aug 2018

Confusing me now guys

ban-all-sheds · 21 Aug 2018

You said:
What I want to do if possible is run armour cable from house consumer unit to a water proof plug outside which could be used to power the cosumer unit in my shack, and when not in use I could unplug it.

I assumed you meant a "13A" socket like this:

hence my comment, and Risteard assumed you meant a 32A one like this:

Jimmyjaffa · 21 Aug 2018

That was the type of setup I was thinking of, from in house cu to the socket, then plug in to run small cu in shack when need. Only a small compressor being used and will probably not use welder as advised.

ban-all-sheds · 22 Aug 2018

skippster76 said:
That was the type of setup I was thinking of,

Which?

But in any event, it's not the way to do it.

Jimmyjaffa · 25 Aug 2018

Why can you not use the 32a socket etc setup?

flameport · 25 Aug 2018

skippster76 said:
Why can you not use the 32a socket etc setup?

The round blue sockets do not have shutters.

Even if they did, what is the point of this socket and plug arrangement?
Take the armoured cable to the shack and connect it to whatever is used in there.

ban-all-sheds · 25 Aug 2018

skippster76 said:
Why can you not use the 32a socket etc setup?

The building should have a permanent connection to it - it's not mobile.

And you should not have flex trailing across the garden to it - armoured all the way.

JohnW2 · 25 Aug 2018

I suppose that whether it would be flex or armoured cable trailing across the garden rather depends upon the proposed location of the "water proof plug" relative to the 'shack' ....

skippster76 said:
.... What I want to do if possible is run armour cable from house consumer unit to a water proof plug outside which could be used to power the cosumer unit in my shack, and when not in use I could unplug it.

ban-all-sheds · 25 Aug 2018

Yes.

But how much would you wager that the proposed socket would be so close to the outbuilding that there would be no flex trailing across the garden, given that if it were close enough to avoid that it would be irrational going on mad to not just continue the supply cable to it?

ban-all-sheds · 25 Aug 2018

Let's cut to the chase.

skippster76 said:
What I want to do if possible is run armour cable from house consumer unit to a water proof plug outside which could be used to power the cosumer unit in my shack, and when not in use I could unplug it.

Why do it that way? What does plugging it in buy you?

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Shack electrics advise please.

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