Replacing power feed from house to detached garage

Hi all,

Just looking for peoples opinions regarding how I plan to have some electrical work carried out to see if I’m being sensible about this.

Unfortunately I’ve had an issue in the last week where the power supply from my main fuse box in the house to the garage has caused a fault meaning it’s constantly tripping the main RCD.

This supply has now been disconnected (from the fuse box) to remove the fault and the cable needs to be replaced as I believe it’s and old copper cable which has degraded.

To take up all of the flooring, dig down to find and replace the cable would be a pretty big amount of work. Therefore I’m just planning on running an armoured cable through to the outside wall from the fuse board, running this along the outside wall to the rear of the house and a small amount of chasing it under three or four paving flags into the garage.

I’d really appreciate people’s opinions on if I’m being sensible or if I should be considering biting the bullet and taking the floor up which would be time consuming and expensive for me.

Appreciate any input people have to offer.

Even inside the house I have seen SWA cable run around the outside so floor boards don't need lifting, as long as the regulations and laws are followed there is no reason why it should not be done.

Be aware England, Scotland, and Wales all have different laws.

I seem to remember cables can be fixed to a permanent structure -so a house wall counts.

Whereas a timber fence would not.

I expect you will need to go 450mm or similar depth under the slabs.

It goes without saying, you cant do the electic part yourself.

Edit Note: as the pros suggest here: test the existing cable first. And whilst you may be able to do the work, you need a pro to do testing.......

Notch7 said:

I seem to remember cables can be fixed to a permanent structure -so a house wall counts.

Whereas a timber fence would not.

I expect you will need to go 450mm or similar depth under the slabs.

It goes without ssying, you cant do the electic part yourself.

Click to expand...

Would this not come under the 'guidance' of replacing like for like or does that just apply to switches/sockets etc? (Serious question, I'm not judging your comment)

Since in England not Wales, the garden is no longer a special location, and it's not a new circuit, so you will not need to inform LABC about the work, if I have read it correctly, however clearly it has to be done safely so it would require inspection and testing but no need to submit the results.

In Wales where I live it is different, although in theory we can go through LABC in practice the fees are so high only real way is use a scheme member electrician. That is if you want to comply with the law, i.e. one of those guys who does 29 MPH in every 30 MPH limit.

Perhaps before you get stuck in you need to confirm the fault is actually in the cable rather than something in the garage.

winston1 said:

Perhaps before you get stuck in you need to confirm the fault is actually in the cable rather than something in the garage.

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Much as I hate to agree with Winston. You should have the insulation resistance of the cable tested. Its a simple job for an electrician who has the right gear.

As a quick and dirty option, just reconnect up the cable, leaving the garage end unconnected (but insulated and safe!).
And see if the RCD still trips.

Taylortwocities said:

Much as I hate to agree with Winston. .

Click to expand...

Why?

Johntheboy said:

... I plan to have some electrical work carried out ...

I’m just planning on running an armoured cable through to the outside wall from the fuse board, running this along the outside wall to the rear of the house and a small amount of chasing it under three or four paving flags into the garage.

Click to expand...

Which is it?

Have it carried out, or DIY?

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. Just to confirm that yes this has been tested by an electrician who I would then have do the install. I would simply be there to observe out of interest, lift flags, dig and make cups of tea .

It’s definately the cable, all disconnected in the garage and still tripping. I think I’m just going for the path of least resistance and (have my electrician) run the cable around the side of the house. I’m just very fussy about how it’d look..... but sod the idea of ripping skirting boards off, taking plaster with it and doubling up on my problems .