Running Electricity to a Shed

[Mark-UK]

I'm going to be building a shed and I'd like to have electricity running in it for power tools (carpentry stuff).

I haven't got a clue what to do but my nephew is an electrician so I'm sure he'll set things up for me. That said, I'd like to get your thoughts and advice as well. What I'll need to buy, any planning permission required etc

Thanks all

 

[Simon35]

Why don't you speak to your nephew, and ask him how he will run cables, what type and size of cable, what work he is happy for you to do (digging a trench most likely).

Running an armoured 3 core cable through a buried duct, at the appropriate depth, properly marked, would not be an unusual method.

You will need to know what sort of load these carpentry tools are going to add up to.

 

[Mark-UK]

I don't get to see him much at all, so I was hoping to get some info before I go to him.

Thanks for the info and advice about the power tools

 

[Taylortwocities]

Like every job, it all depends on the environment, the layout and your requirements.

As above, the first thing to do is to think about how much power you need (at the same time) to the shed.
That will determine how big the cable needs to be, and also where it can be fed from.
Secondly, this cable may be considered a new circuit. "Planning permission" is not necessary, but you may need a building notice. And that costs quite a few ££££
You need to ask your nephew if he is a registered electrician (you could look him up here). If he is on the list, then you do not need a building notice as your nephew can certify and notify to works to the Local Authority for less than a fiver.

So your choice is, dont talk to your nephew and it'll be a few hundred quid
or have a chat and its a lot less.

 

[Mark-UK]

He wasn't on the register but I know he's been to college and he's got a good job earning a lot of money. He's an electrical engineer

 

[Simon35]

He wasn't on the register but I know he's been to college and he's got a good job earning a lot of money. He's an electrical engineer

So unfortunately for you, he's an electrical engineer, not an electrician, and therefore about as qualified as you to do this work, and sort out the building control requirements with your local council.

 

[Mark-UK]

Ok thanks Simon

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So unfortunately for you, he's an electrical engineer, not an electrician, and therefore about as qualified as you to do this work,

He is probably much more qualified to do the design.

and sort out the building control requirements with your local council.

Depending on the council they might regard an electrical engineer as someone who can sign an EIC, and so might charge a lower price for notification - some do.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

"Planning permission" is not necessary, but you may need a building notice.

General ROT:

Never, ever, EVER do it via a Building Notice. In fact never, ever, ever do any notifiable work that way. They are meant for professionals who know exactly what they are doing, and know that their work will always comply with the regs. They are no cheaper than a full plans submission [DISCLAIMER]I have never seen a council charge less, but maybe there are some[/DISCLAIMER].

So no saving, but a risk that when you invite the BCO to look at it at the end he says "Nope - don't like that". With a full plans submission you know before you start if what you're going to do will be acceptable.

In the classic risk/reward equation it is utter madness to take on a risk where there is no possibility of a concomitant reward.

 

[Simon35]

So unfortunately for you, he's an electrical engineer, not an electrician, and therefore about as qualified as you to do this work,

He is probably much more qualified to do the design.

and sort out the building control requirements with your local council.

Depending on the council they might regard an electrical engineer as someone who can sign an EIC, and so might charge a lower price for notification - some do.

Unlikely to be more qualified, may be equally qualified. Electrical engineering is a wide ranging area. I'm an electrical engineer, I've even got a degree in it, really good at industrial control systems, safety systems, industrial installation, drives and PLC/SCADA software. I'm sure I could design the circuit using my yellow book. Plenty of electrical engineers are in completely different fields and would struggle.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Well, I have to bow to your direct knowledge - I know it's a wide-ranging area, but I thought that all electrical engineers would start out studying the same basic stuff. And that any electrical engineer would be more competent to do design than someone with no clue at all.

 

[Simon35]

Well, I have to bow to your direct knowledge - I know it's a wide-ranging area, but I thought that all electrical engineers would start out studying the same basic stuff. And that any electrical engineer would be more competent to do design than someone with no clue at all.

Sometimes, a little knowledge is more dangerous than none at all....they might have started out studying the same basics, but that knowledge is soon forgotten if not used regularly.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I seem to remember that fun time in 2005 when Part P, and the CPS schemes came along.
Many lifetime members of the (then) IEE blew their tops as they were basically no longer allowed to do electrical work in their own homes, because they did not have the required qualifications to join NICEIC, etc..

 

[stillp]

Many lifetime members of the (then) IEE blew their tops as they were basically no longer allowed to do electrical work in their own homes, because they did not have the required qualifications to join NICEIC, etc..

Yes, one of them was Chairman of JPEL/64!

 

[Risteard]

You need to ask your nephew if he is a registered electrician (you could look him up here).

Depends. That website is applicable ONLY to England and Wales. It only shows people who are registered as so-called "Domestic Installers". These do not exist outside of England and Wales as elsewhere people can only train as properly time-served fully-qualified Electricians (and rightly so).