Hi,
I have been searching around the Internet trying to understand the do's and don'ts' of Part P when it comes to adding power to my shed. Now i feel just more confused than ever, different sites seem to contradict each other. I guess thats one of the problems with the Internet, you cant always believe what you read. Anyhow, I wondered if anyone could comment on a few questions i have so things become clear in my mind? Would really be much appreciated.
I have a detached garage that had power connected end of last year by a sparks who was qualified in Part P. He fitted a new consumer unit in the garage with 2 MCB's powered from the house by a hefty SWA cable going under ground. There is 1 mcb for the lighting and 1 mcb for the power sockets. Now, i have built a shed (12 x 8 feet) 2.7 meters from the back of the garage. Between the garage and the shed is where the bins are stored, fenced but open. So, with regard to part P, what, if anything, can i do to provide power to the shed without having to notify? i do not need to beef up the existing garage wiring and consumer unit as i will be using the tools i used in the garage in the shed instead, the only extra load will be from the light in the shed.
Questions;
I believe i can add a spur to an existing circuit without notification, is that correct?
Can i add two spurs, one from the power circuit in the garage to my shed and the other spur from the lighting circuit in my garage to my shed, without notification? I read there are 'special locations' where all work needs notification and the outdoors comes under that category. But this seems to be more related to outdoor lighting, swimming pools, etc, rather than wiring into a shed. The wiring from the house to the detached garage is already in place, and the consumer unit is fitted. i am only adding a spur.
If this is not notifiable in principle then are the following correct;
I can take twin wire and earth between garage and shed above ground inside 20mm conduit, 2.5mmsq for power socket and 1.5mmsq for lighting. The conduit would fit into terminal box on the garage and shed sealed from the rain and having the cables in one length from spur to socket and spur to light switch.
If i want to bury the cable I need to use SWA cable or some armored conduit. This would need to be buried to a minimal depth of 45cm (18 inches)?
Last 2 questions;
Can i just run the 2.5mmsq cable for the power socket and take a feed off the socket in the shed to feed the light? This would not be any different from having a free standing lamp or inspection light plugged into the socket, although it does feel a bit wrong!?
I did read and cant believe its true, that if the cable to the shed is not hard wired into the garage as a spur and is terminated as a 3 pin plug, then this no longer comes under part p as its not a fixed extension? Sounds odd to me.
i tried to keep it short (unsuccessfully by the look of it!). Many thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance if you can help with my questions.
Cheers,
I have been searching around the Internet trying to understand the do's and don'ts' of Part P when it comes to adding power to my shed. Now i feel just more confused than ever, different sites seem to contradict each other. I guess thats one of the problems with the Internet, you cant always believe what you read. Anyhow, I wondered if anyone could comment on a few questions i have so things become clear in my mind? Would really be much appreciated.
I have a detached garage that had power connected end of last year by a sparks who was qualified in Part P. He fitted a new consumer unit in the garage with 2 MCB's powered from the house by a hefty SWA cable going under ground. There is 1 mcb for the lighting and 1 mcb for the power sockets. Now, i have built a shed (12 x 8 feet) 2.7 meters from the back of the garage. Between the garage and the shed is where the bins are stored, fenced but open. So, with regard to part P, what, if anything, can i do to provide power to the shed without having to notify? i do not need to beef up the existing garage wiring and consumer unit as i will be using the tools i used in the garage in the shed instead, the only extra load will be from the light in the shed.
Questions;
I believe i can add a spur to an existing circuit without notification, is that correct?
Can i add two spurs, one from the power circuit in the garage to my shed and the other spur from the lighting circuit in my garage to my shed, without notification? I read there are 'special locations' where all work needs notification and the outdoors comes under that category. But this seems to be more related to outdoor lighting, swimming pools, etc, rather than wiring into a shed. The wiring from the house to the detached garage is already in place, and the consumer unit is fitted. i am only adding a spur.
If this is not notifiable in principle then are the following correct;
I can take twin wire and earth between garage and shed above ground inside 20mm conduit, 2.5mmsq for power socket and 1.5mmsq for lighting. The conduit would fit into terminal box on the garage and shed sealed from the rain and having the cables in one length from spur to socket and spur to light switch.
If i want to bury the cable I need to use SWA cable or some armored conduit. This would need to be buried to a minimal depth of 45cm (18 inches)?
Last 2 questions;
Can i just run the 2.5mmsq cable for the power socket and take a feed off the socket in the shed to feed the light? This would not be any different from having a free standing lamp or inspection light plugged into the socket, although it does feel a bit wrong!?
I did read and cant believe its true, that if the cable to the shed is not hard wired into the garage as a spur and is terminated as a 3 pin plug, then this no longer comes under part p as its not a fixed extension? Sounds odd to me.
i tried to keep it short (unsuccessfully by the look of it!). Many thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance if you can help with my questions.
Cheers,