Armoured Cable Regs???

[huw169]

Hi All
Just about to do my garage and was planning to lay my garage supply 0.5m deep in 4mm armoured 4 core. This is what my spark suggested.

However, just been chatting to a 17th edition spark who is doing some cabling at work & he says there is now no requirement to bury it. Especially as I plan to run it under decking.

Can someone clarify please?
If I need to bury it - can I put it in a trench with a drain to save digging 2 trenches?

Many thanks
Huw

 

[Steve]

Burying it is the safest place.

Why 4 core?

You only want to run the cable once, so best run in the largest cable you can afford now. Over-speccing the circuit will do no harm.

4mm² cable is a bit of a no mans land in terms of what its used for. I'd plump for 6mm² or 10mm² cables, 3 core. You can then use the 3rd core as an earth, in case you have any ECPs in the garage that need bonding.

 

[huw169]

Thanks Steve
Could be 3 core - been a while since I bought it.
It is already run in the house, so not much chance of changing it now.
Most I will be running is a small domestic welder. Most have suggested 4mm will be ok. I hope they were correct

Is it ok to bury it with the rain water drain?

 

[Steve]

Is it ok to bury it with the rain water drain?

Its not ideal, but I wouldnt worry about it. I think theres supposed to be separation of 50cm or so. Could dig a wide trench.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It is already run in the house, so not much chance of changing it now.

It's always a good idea to make irrevocable decisions and/or carry out irreversible acts before asking advice, don't you think?

 

[huw169]

Thanks, but the post wan't about whether the cable would be suitable, it was about how to lay it! I've just looked at the receipt - it is 6mmsq.
Ban - your advice is good, but your attitude still needs work.
Thanks any way.

Thanks Steve

 

[martinxxxxxx]

This is an electrics uk forum where people can come and find advice on funnily enough electrics - No one here wants advice on their attitude -GOT IT!