Electricity supply

[brooklynodog]

I want to run an electric cable to my polytunnel to power a heater. I was told to run a 13 amp cable in an old hose for protection. I have tried to push the cable up the hose (need about 30ft) can only get it up so far, then it jams. Any suggestions please forum?

[carlseawolf]

put a small but heavy nail on a long pice of string and thread this down the hose and tape the other end to your wire , making sure the string is longer than the hose pull on the string and it will pull the wire through for you .
the longer and straighter you can get the hose the easier the nail will get through but if fairy liquid or vasaline can be used as a lubricant it may make life easier when the cable goes through as plastic to plastic normally sticks.
don't forget your RCD cutoff in the house as if any problems happen outside then you will not be waking up in the dark with no power.

[esrikandan]

Hmm..maybe better to find some tubing with a thicker diameter. As 30ft is quite long, finding something that long and stiff enough to pull a cable through might be tricky.

What kind of mains cable are you using? Is it quite flexible or solid core?

[Nicos]

The old hose hasn't got a kink in it has it??
Could that be causing the difficulty??

[pigletwillie]

I am a a sparky by trade, gardens throw up all sorts of issues if you wish to install a permanent supply and you really need to get a qualified tradesperson in to do a proper safe job that meets BS7671 16th Edition of the IEE Regs. This is a legal requirement under part P of the building regulations. No exceptions

However, if you wish to run a temporary cable, just use an extension lead, but make sure that the supply end, IE the house end is plugged into an RCD unit or plugged into a circuit that is protected by one. Lay the cable out of the way, somewhere where it wont get hit by a lawn mower or a garden spade. A hose pipe will provide virtually no protection to the cable as it is made of soft maleable plastic.

Check the cable frequently and think seriously about getting a proper job done.

[brooklynodog]

I have no lawn mower (no grass) and the cable run would be where no spade would be used (along a wall on concrete) This would be a semi permanent thing as the heater would only be used as a frost protector. I always use a RCD with outside electricity. I want to leave the cable in its position, and read that ordinary cable is not suitable for outside use, hence the suggestion of using hose. When not in use the house end would be unplugged, so I dont see why a permanent fix by an expensive sparky would be required, regardless of building regs (no offence intended) as its no different to using a lawn mower outside.

[pigletwillie]

If it isnt permanent it can be done via an extension lead as I said earlier. If it is likely to be there for any time it will be classed as permanent and will need to comply. Rather than using hosepipe for your temporary measure, go to one of the DIY sheds and buy some conduit which is made for the job, its neater and easier to use too.

Of course its your choice if you chose not to use an "expensive sparky" but then if you have a fire or somebody gets electrocuted, its not as expensive as you think.

I am just replying to your request for advice, I have given my advice as a qualified person. Its your perogative as to whether or not you take it.

[brooklynodog]

Thanks for that, I didnt realise that such conduit existed. I`ll have a look in Wickes.

[workhorse]

I have just had an electrical supply run to my greenhouse, and they used an armoured cable from the fuse board, but used a separate circuit for the garden.

[Paul Wagland]

PLW is absolutely right about building regs (as one might hope, he is a sparky after all!). I must admit though, if it was my garden, I would rather install a proper armoured cable myself than use an extension lead for a long period.

I'd be less worried about installing a simple spur (which requires an hour or two of concentration) than I would be about leaving an unprotected cable outdoors for months at a time. I just wouldn't trust myself to look out for it for that long!

I'd be interested to hear what you think about the new regs PLW - are they a good thing from a safety point of view, or just a bit overzealous?

[pigletwillie]

The regs are a good thing Paul as until now, you could have set up as an electricial contractor with no qualifications or test equipment.

Now ALL work in the garden, kitchen or bathroom, which are the most dangerous areas electrically, requires building regs certification, as do substantial work in all other areas, which can only be given by a part P registered person. In essence this will be a qualified electrician with City & Guilds certificates in instalation, inspection and testing and current regulations. All other minor works, such as changing fittings or adding a socket to an existing circuit (but not in the bathroom, kitchen or garden) can be done without building regs certification but still needs to comply with the 16th edition regs.

Most house fires are caused by old or dodgy electrics and most of the dodgy electrics are installed by the B&Q on a Sunday brigade who rewire their house with the aid of a "how to" sheet. Most electrocutions are caused by damaged cables supplying appliances or poor / no earthing being present due, mainly do to the "it'l do" brigade or ignorance of people who know no better.

Personally I would never use an extension lead for longer than needed to do a job. Indeed at home we have 3 fixed outdoor sockets so an extension lead is never required. Using hosepipe for protection is dangerous as it looks like, well a hosepipe and its protection is negligeable. Its far better to spend a tenner and use some proper conduit so at least it looks like what it uis and has a bit of protection.

SWA cable is the way to go for outside work and will need to be undertaken by a qualified person. If you "diy" it and a fire occurs, your insurance company will not pay out. If somebody gets electrocuted, you go to prison. Simple really.

[brooklynodog]

Looks like I`ll be using a paraffin heater then.

[lottie dolly]

ref,the regulations,we had our property rewired a few months ago,and our dwelling was 1of many that was chosen, for the inspectors to give it the once over,that give the qualifed electricians, their cetificate,so you see eveyone has a higher authority to answer to.
Hope this makes sence the way i put it,am not to good with words.

[unconcerned]

I'd love to get power out to my greenhouse. It's about 10 meters from the house. Any ball park figures on what it would cost to do properly (by an electrician) please? Are you talking hundreds of pounds?

[Paul Wagland]

A single run of armoured cable and one or two sockets? PLW is the man to answer this, but in case he doesn't see the post I'll have a guess at about £150-£200. You should be prepared to dig a trench for the cable if required. No point paying a qualified electrician to dig a hole!