Garden electrics question

[Keithsurf62]

I want to run power from the house to the kids playhouse in the garden. I am looking at putting a weatherproof socket on the outside of the play house so I can put some christmas lights on it for them but cable seems expensive these days.
Screwfix do an armoured cable quite cheap but not sure about the spec:-
Specifications:
7 strands per core. -15°C to 90°C. Low voltage: 600/100V.

I think this should be ok for fairy lights but would this low voltage be ok to run a lawn mower off?

Cheers

Keith

 

[Chri5]

What sort of distance between house and kids shed ?

What sort of amp load will the mower require (watts = amp x 230v)

All external electrical works should be undertaken by a qualified person and a cert issued.

All external circuits should be rcd or rccb protected.


Might be better to make up a temp lead, if the socket in house is rcd protected.

Some 2.5mm artic cable

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CA2dot5ART3B.html

An external box and socket kit

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMWPM02.html

Cable glands

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK251B.html



It is very important to have the rcd protection, if you don't have any at the socket you intend to fed the service from:-

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...tected_Range/RCD_Protected_Range_3/index.html

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...tected_Range/RCD_Protected_Range_4/index.html

 

[Keithsurf62]

Sorry don't know the load of the mower, but just a basic B & Q electric rotary mower. The will be an RCD at one of the ends but I'm guessing if I need to know what power the mower is then it is probably best not to go with this cable so I don't need to worry about what I'm plugging in.

Thanks

 

[Chri5]

The diy solution I've given you would restrict the 2 socket external box to 13 amp total load (13 x 230 = approx 3000w).

The cable solution needs the rcd, not the devices you may plug in. Click the links and all will be explained.

The reason distance is important is volt drop, if the distance from house socket to kids shed is under 30m, then the cable size and suggested solution will be fine.

OK ?

 

[Keithsurf62]

Many thanks.

Keith

 

[ericmark]

There are some kits like the one done by Blagdon but personal I consider them as a way to get around the law and not really a good idea. Other than that option the need to inform the LABC and pay their fees mean it's just not worth doing as a DIY job.

On the other hand an extension lead must be far more dangerous than using SWA cable and I would not use an extension lead. The spec for the cable says nothing. There are two things of interest that's the cross sectional area normally given as 1.5mm or 2.5mm and the type of plastic used in the cable some rated at 70 degs and other rated at 90 degs this is not the ambulant temperature but the temperature it can run at when the current is warming it up.

For Christmas lights and lawn mower it is unlikely you can buy SWA cable which is too small. However although I have glanded more cable than I wish to remember including using EX glands I have found they do cause a problem to the DIY guy stripping the cable and fitting the gland. There is also a problem with such a stiff cable with chunky gland warping the box it is fitted into and with IP rated boxes this can down grade the IP rating.

According to garden layout there may also be an earthing problem specially with a large garden where as a result the RCD will not work. So in the main it's not a DIY job.

 

[chivers67]

What do you want to supply in the play house?