Adding sockets in garage

[Deeeyewhy92]

Hi
Looking to put a plug socket at the other end of my garage. I have electric at one end already. Is it as simple as wiring into the back of the existing socket and running it across to the other side to a socket? I have attached pictures of what I have at the min.

I’ve looked behind the existing socket and there Is only one set of wires in there. The house fuse box has its own “garage” circuit breaker on it as well.
If this is the case what size cable should I use. It’s literally to power my little pillar drill, grinder small things.
Thanks
Tom

 

[ericmark]

Since no RCD at the consumer unit, would need an RCD socket, I favour SWA in a garage, but use to using the stuff. If you can change the 16 amp MCB for a RCBO I would do. But I used an active RCD with a bench grinder, so with a power cut it will default off. But in the main what you are happy working with, be it plastic conduit like already there or any other method, it's really up to you.

 

[Deeeyewhy92]

But there a “garage” circuit break in the fuse box of the house ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If you can change the 16 amp MCB for a RCBO I would do.

Worth checking were the supply for that small consumer unit comes from, it might already be covered by an RCD/RCBO, at the house consumer unit.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

But there a “garage” circuit break in the fuse box of the house ?

Can you provide a photo of that?

 

[Deeeyewhy92]

Comes from the. House. The fuse board in the house has its own “garage” circuit breaker.

 

[Deeeyewhy92]

This is the fuse box inside the house.

 

[ericmark]

OK already RCD protected.

 

[Deeeyewhy92]

So it’s as simple as take a feed of the back of the existing socket across the other side to another socket ? What size cable should I use ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

So it’s as simple as take a feed of the back of the existing socket across the other side to another socket ? What size cable should I use ?

Usual, would be 2.5mm, but 1.5mm would be adequate with the existing 16amp MCB in the garage, but I notice the MCB in the house is also a 16amp - meaning it would be pot luck, which tripped on a fault or overload.

 

[Deeeyewhy92]

Fair enough

 

[Robin0577]

Usual, would be 2.5mm, but 1.5mm would be adequate with the existing 16amp MCB in the garage, but I notice the MCB in the house is also a 16amp - meaning it would be pot luck, which tripped on a fault or overload.

Indeed... the second consumer unit in the garage seems to be entirely pointless, as is often the case, but since it's already there and dot actually doing any harm it might as well stay. At least it provides local DP isolation to facilitate the work of adding new sockets.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Indeed... the second consumer unit in the garage seems to be entirely pointless, as is often the case, but since it's already there and dot actually doing any harm it might as well stay. At least it provides local DP isolation to facilitate the work of adding new sockets.

A 16amp double pole switch, would have provided the isolation. A switched, fused could have been used for the light. No actual need for a consumer unit, or MCB's in the garage.

 

[JohnW2]

A 16amp double pole switch, would have provided the isolation. A switched, fused could have been used for the light. No actual need for a consumer unit, or MCB's in the garage.

All true (and so common!) - but, as has been said, it's doing no harm, so no real point in the hassle (and expense) of replacing it with a DP switch and a switched FCU!

 

[Deeeyewhy92]

Thanks guys. Once again big help