Outside Electrics

[Hinksy]

Have built a very large raised decking area on the back of my workshop/ air'raid shelter, intending to put some electric in the workshop/Shelter. I have a decking area which go's from the back of the house to the Shelter. If I put electric wire under the decking will it still need to be armoured?

I had a plan of placing it inside some old hosepipe as a protective barrier would that work? Or should I just go with armoured cable, would need about 15-20m considering the area I would have to go around in order to hide it.

Any ideas are welcome thanks.

[taff]

it needs to be protected from things that chew, rabbits, mice, etc.
In this case, or if I were doing it, I'd swallow the expense and get armoured, because if something does chew through it, it's a lot more hassle to replace the cable, than if it had been the right stuff in the first place.

[Hilary B]

I don't think hosepipe is tough enough. Alkathene water pipe (black or blue) would probably do the job, if you can find someone selling it in the sort of quantity you need, but failing that, go with the armoured stuff; it's worth the money to be safe.

[Bigmallly]

If you know of anyone replacing their gas/water pipes, copper pipe would be ideal. Just a thought but yes play safe, you don't want to be lifting the decking later on.

[Nicos]

I'm not so sure on this.....

When we had electricity installed in our shed we were told by the electrician to use armoured cable- and it had to be dug down at least 18" so that in the future (- like now that we've sold the house) no-one accidentally digs into it.
I was under the impression that all electrical fittings had to have the final 'fix' done by a qualified electrician????
Won't it also need earthing????

We dug it in and he sorted out both ends so it was officially 'safe'

Best to check up on regs before you do your DIY...then let us all know- cos you'll not be the first person wondering about this.

[rustylady]

Ditto what Nicos said. Specially the bit about getting it checked and passed by a qualified electrician.

[teakdesk]

I was under the impression that all electrical fittings had to have the final 'fix' done by a qualified electrician????

New outdoor wiring such as garden lighting or power installations falls under Part P regulations and must finished and certified by a Qualified Person and sometimes the Local Planning Department must be informed.

There is lots of info on the net from Government organisations.

[Hilary B]

Yes, all new wiring in or to do with a house must be done by, or under the supervision of, a qualified electrician (and I shouldn't have forgotten that one!) This will almost certainly mean proper armoured cable.

[Alison]

Yes, all new wiring in or to do with a house must be done by, or under the supervision of, a qualified electrician (and I shouldn't have forgotten that one!) This will almost certainly mean proper armoured cable.

Not strickly true, there are some modificiations and bits that you can do which fall outside of the regs and you don't have to be supervised for any of it but a lot of stuff eg anything in the kitchen or outside (amongst other areas) has to be approved by a qualified person ie they don't have to be there while you do it but have to check it when finished. In practice this can be difficult to achieve as many sparkies don't want to approve work that they find it difficult to be confident about and therefore often it can be easier to get the qualified person in in the first place.

Did our outdoor stuff way back before the regs came in but used armoured cable as it just seemed sensible and also put it on a separate fuse so it can be easily isolated.

[green thing]

you need to connect armoured cable with proper end fittings so it can be earthed properly and via an RCD
I would be better to fix the cable to the wall or joist under the decking no just put on the floor
you need to take into account the loading on the cable and fuse box


Toolstation > Electrical > Cable > SWA Armoured Cable
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Elec.../sd2460/p92516
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Elec.../sd2615/p42773

[Hinksy]

A friend of ours is a qualified eletrician but due to him being very busy we are not sure when he can do the installation, so in the mean time I was more looking for a temp fix.. i.e.. something along the lines of a decent extension lead running underneath the decking just of course as a temp fix.. well few months maybe 6.

[lynda66]

well i stuck my wire in water pipe .... but as it's only for occasional use, i just plug mine into a socket when i need it, saves all the piddling about x

[Nicos]

You know what hinsky why not invite your friend over for 5 mins and see what he suggests- that's your safest bet

[teakdesk]

A friend of ours is a qualified eletrician but due to him being very busy we are not sure when he can do the installation, so in the mean time I was more looking for a temp fix.. i.e.. something along the lines of a decent extension lead running underneath the decking just of course as a temp fix.. well few months maybe 6.

And we'll make sure you or your friends are buried in a temporary coffin so we can dig you or your friends up in a few months... maybe 6....


If you are asking this question then you obviously don't have a scooby-doo and should be restrained to prevent you killing someone.


Just my personal opinion.

[Hilary B]

A friend of ours is a qualified eletrician but due to him being very busy we are not sure when he can do the installation, so in the mean time I was more looking for a temp fix.. i.e.. something along the lines of a decent extension lead running underneath the decking just of course as a temp fix.. well few months maybe 6.

Extension lead, as in 'plug in when wanted', would still need protecting. Heavy-duty plastic water pipe would do that for a while, but not really a good idea. Where were you planning on plugging in to, or did you reckon on wiring into the back of a socket? (DON'T)
If you want to take that chance, make sure you check at least once a month for whether visitors with long tails (fluffy or otherwise) have been taking an interest, and if they have STOP USING IT!
Ideally, get your electrician friend to advise on approach, follow his advice, and just ask him round to 'sign it off'. He may (probably will) recommend that you get it all set up, but leave him to actually make the connection. That wouldn't take 5 mins!