Adding a Socket

[BoeingBonkers]

Hi all,

I want to add a single 3 pin socket to out shed outside. There is a light fitting already in there, it is controled from inside the house. The shed is attached to a brick wall on the side of the house, so the socket wont be fitted on wood.

Would I be able to do this, do you have any tips or advice. The bloke in the shop suggested some 3 amp wire I dont think this looks right.

cheers
Matthew

EDIT: I have made a crude drawing in Paint. The black is what is there the red is what I want to add.

 

[JohnD]

No.

1) this is a light fitting so is presumably supplied from a 5Amp fuse or 6A MCB on a lighting circuit in the house (have a look in your consumer unit/fusebox and see which MCB/fuse controls it). Were you thinking of using it for lighting, or something else?

2) A socket in the shed can reasonably be expected to supply equipment outside (garden and car tools, etc) so must be protected by an RCD

3) I gather this is a separate building (not integral or attached to house?) In which case, even if you only ever use it for equipment in the garage, it needs an RCD.

4) A UK socket is intended to supply a 13Amp plug (or several, through an adaptor) so 3Amp cable is definitely inadequate.


BTW, can you describe the colour and layout of the supply cable to the shed from the house? Thanks

 

[BoeingBonkers]

Bloody twit in the shop, I knew it diddnt look right! The wire that is supplying the light fitting in the shed is that thicker Gray wire, I think its 10 amp wire.

All I want to do is add a single plug and run it from the light fitting, I will use an RCD without a doubt, Its really for the lawn mower as it is a very big garden it takes quite come cord to plug into the house so I wanted to add one in the shed.

So you would suggest some 10 amp wire the thicker gray wire. Excuse me for my knowledge, I am just getting to grips with household electrics.

 

[JohnD]

A lot depends on how the shed is supplied. Does it come off a household lighting circuit? Does the cable hang across to the shed like a washing line?

How old is your consumer unit/fusebox and does it have an RCD built in?

BTW rather than using an RCD adaptor (which can be removed or lost) it is better to use a socket with built in RCD... but this is subject to sorting out the shed supply. If it comes off a lighting circuit (which is quite likely) then the socket will overload and blow it.

 

[BoeingBonkers]

Here is the light, the shed is attached to the house so it comes of the lighting circut.

 

[BoeingBonkers]

Here is the light, the shed is attached to the house so it comes of the lighting circut.

The house fusebox has a RCD built in.

 

[breezer]

nice pic.

you cant run a socket from a lighing circuit

 

[BoeingBonkers]

Ok thanks for posting all!

 

[JohnD]

the shed is attached to the house


The house fusebox has a RCD built in.

Then, and as the existing supply comes off the household lighting circuit (which will probably not be RCD protected) you are better off providing a new power circuit, from the RCD side of the CU, to the shed. As the shed is attached to the house you will not have to dig a trench or arrange an overhead supply. This is notifiable work (has to be advised to your local authority building inspector if you do it yourself) so you may be better advised to get an electrician in.

 

[BoeingBonkers]

Nah I wont do anything like that, if it was something I could easily do myself, then Ok, but atm it would just be easier to use a plug from inside the house and buy a longer extension cord.

But you have been very helpful gents!