garage electrics hmmm?

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hi moved into my house a yr ago.decided to check out the garage electrics?
the garage electrics have been run from the upstairs socket ring,by a single 2.5 t&e.(so classed as a spur,doesnt run back to anywhere)
the 2.5 runs from under the floor(upstairs) out the wall and overhead to the garage(run of 1.5 meter overhead).
i have ripped out the elecs in garage and installed a garage cu.30ma rcd,16a mcb,6a mcb.off the existing 2.5 t&e

on the garage cu is 2 flourescent lights.and 2 double sockets(only used for flymo,strimmer.powerwash, separately)an outside light which has a 3a fcu .no big machinery or power tools to be used
my questions are

is this ok to be spurred off the ring.or should/can i extend the ring to the garage cu as there are 2 sockets in the upstairs bedroom(where the 2.5 is spurred from)i know it should be straight from the house cu.but the cu needs changing(old sunken wireable).and when we can afford that we will do it.but just need a safe solution for now

and does the run of cable to the garage need protecting in anyway as it runs overhead.(trunking,armour etc) or can i just tack it to a wooden brace.

any helpfull comments would be appreciated
 
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This work is notifiable, and not really suited for a DIYer.
You ought to get an electrician in to do the work who can certify it for you.
 
i understand that. :)
but the wiring was there before i havent added apart from the cu in the garage. :confused: (which was there b4 wink wink)
my main questions are the ones posted in first post.
is running off the socket ring ok(like i say already done)(i know its not ideal)
and can it be extended from the house ring(just curious)is it safer
does the overhead cable need protecting
(without sounding funny) i just want straight forward answers.it will all get changed by an electrician when we can afford the cu changing.
advice has been given in other threads that require an electrician.thats all i want
cheers :p
 
When you get the CU changed also run a submain cable in SWA to the mini CU in the garage.
Its not ideal having the garage spured off the ring main and the spur should have been made by a 13amp fused spur. The spur would limit the garage to 13 amps max and make the mini CU pointless really.
Any chance of some pictures of this "installation" ?
 
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i have ripped out the elecs in garage and installed a garage cu.30ma rcd,16a mcb,6a mcb.off the existing 2.5 t&e
So more than a single socket outlet then...

is this ok to be spurred off the ring.
Not without a 13A FCU at the start of the spur, which makes the 16A MCB in the garage redundant..

or should/can i extend the ring to the garage cu as there are 2 sockets in the upstairs bedroom(where the 2.5 is spurred from)
You can't really extend a ring to support a CU. You could extend the ring to go directly to the sockets in the garage, and use a switched FCU or two for the lights, but then you'd be stuck for RCD protection (I take it your upstairs socket circuit isn't on an RCD?). You could install RCD sockets in the garage, but they aren't cheap.

i know it should be straight from the house cu.but the cu needs changing(old sunken wireable).and when we can afford that we will do it.but just need a safe solution for now
Putting the CU on a 13A FCU would be safe.

and does the run of cable to the garage need protecting in anyway as it runs overhead.(trunking,armour etc) or can i just tack it to a wooden brace.
It needs protecting against the elements, or replacing with a different cable type, and it needs supporting on a catenary wire.

[edit]
Sorry - I'd not paid close enough attention - a run of 1.5m does not need a catenary wire. :oops:
[/edit]



And BTW - overall this work is notifiable, should you care.
 
I have got the same problem. The wiring has been in for about 15 years, and never had any problem with it. But I have not got a catenary wire, so after reading this will make sure I put one in soon, although only about 5'00" are unsupported.
 
i have ripped out the elecs in garage and installed a garage cu.30ma rcd,16a mcb,6a mcb.off the existing 2.5 t&e
So more than a single socket outlet then...

is this ok to be spurred off the ring.
Not without a 13A FCU at the start of the spur, which makes the 16A MCB in the garage redundant..

or should/can i extend the ring to the garage cu as there are 2 sockets in the upstairs bedroom(where the 2.5 is spurred from)
You can't really extend a ring to support a CU. You could extend the ring to go directly to the sockets in the garage, and use a switched FCU or two for the lights, but then you'd be stuck for RCD protection (I take it your upstairs socket circuit isn't on an RCD?). You could install RCD sockets in the garage, but they aren't cheap.

i know it should be straight from the house cu.but the cu needs changing(old sunken wireable).and when we can afford that we will do it.but just need a safe solution for now
Putting the CU on a 13A FCU would be safe.

and does the run of cable to the garage need protecting in anyway as it runs overhead.(trunking,armour etc) or can i just tack it to a wooden brace.
It needs protecting against the elements, or replacing with a different cable type, and it needs supporting on a catenary wire.

And BTW - overall this work is notifiable, should you care.

cheers for all advice i justed needed the reins pulling in
i know you are all correct about the .more than a socket. and its notifiable.i do care
like i say times are hard at mo, i have to live with what i have at the moment

so if i put a 13a fcu b4 the garage cu this will be better? will it be ok in the garage b4 the cu. i know itl make the 16a mcb redundant but at least the garage will be rcd protected.and the garage cu will be in place for future changes.
and it will keep the house safe if on a 13a fcu
i gather it wont be notifiable if i put a 13a sfcu as its classed as protecting the spur

whats the best thing to use to protect the cable from the elements then?
i dont fancy changing the cable at mo

cheers all
 
When you get the CU changed also run a submain cable in SWA to the mini CU in the garage.
Its not ideal having the garage spured off the ring main and the spur should have been made by a 13amp fused spur. The spur would limit the garage to 13 amps max and make the mini CU pointless really.
Any chance of some pictures of this "installation" ?

cheers for advice
there would be no way to bury the swa as all round the house is solid concrete. and i know it cant be buried under concrete
would the swa be able to run outside and up the wall then round to the back of the house then across to the garage? if not it would have to be run on bigger t&e all through the house to the rear wall

also whats around the right price for an old sunken cu changing to a new style?
i gather id have to have some of the elecs changed in house too as the whole house is just on one ring and one fuse?
 
and its notifiable.i do care
Then you've got a problem...

i gather it wont be notifiable if i put a 13a sfcu as its classed as protecting the spur
...because the CU is notifiable.

whats the best thing to use to protect the cable from the elements then?
An unbroken run of conduit.

there would be no way to bury the swa as all round the house is solid concrete. and i know it cant be buried under concrete
It certainly can.

would the swa be able to run outside and up the wall then round to the back of the house then across to the garage?
It could, but it would look pretty naff..

if not it would have to be run on bigger t&e all through the house to the rear wall
It's commonly done like that.

also whats around the right price for an old sunken cu changing to a new style?
i gather id have to have some of the elecs changed in house too as the whole house is just on one ring and one fuse?
Get recommendations from friends and family, check if they're registered, get 3 quotes for an inspection - take it from there.
 
I have got the same problem. The wiring has been in for about 15 years, and never had any problem with it. But I have not got a catenary wire, so after reading this will make sure I put one in soon, although only about 5'00" are unsupported.
Yo - see my edit above - 5' is OK.
 
ok b.a.s I get clearer pic now and do appreciate your comments.
so a garage cu is notifiable even with a 13a fcu before it?
think ill change my comment to .don't care.just for the moment as id like the sockets rcd protected without the extra rcd sockets(very pricey)
like I say not running any major tools etc.
as far as anyone will be concerned it will have been done b4 I moved in.not that im selling.
im very capable of running.connecting wiring etc safely(contradiction I know with the setup)

does 3a really make a diff(16a mcb to a 13a fcu)apart from rules and regs.
ill support some pvc conduit on a wooden beam for protecting the cable.will look neater from beneath

im glad I posted here now cheers all.cheers b.a.s

cheers
 

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