Electricity in the greenhouse

[jools]

I would like a light and some power points in my new greenhouse and I shall be getting an electrician to instal it but I need to get my head around what I need before I call one. I only want the light in case I need to go in there in the dark, not to help the plants grow so is an ordinary light fitting and an ordinary bulb okay?

With the power points, I need them for a couple of propogators and the fan heater so I thought I would have a double socket at each end. Do I need those which have a cover on them and is it best to station them a little above the staging or really high up? (I guess this depends on whether they are the covered type or not). Because it is an aluminium greenhouse, I am also guessing that the powerpoints will have to be fixed to a piece of thick wood which is long enough to be fixed to a couple of the upward struts.

Am I worrying over nothing - should I just call an electrician and let him sort it out? I just wondered what others have in their greenhouses.

[jools]

Oooops sorry, managed to postthis twice! Don't know how to remove it so please just ignore!
jools

[pigletwillie]

Jools,

if you tell the electrician what you want he will hopefully install that.

Ideally you want weatherproof sockets, MK are the best as you can close the lid with a plug in making them hose proof. A bulkhead light would suit as it will be splash proof and you can either have it fed via a dedicated switch or on a plug and just plug it into thesocket when wanted,. All of the sockets would ideally be mounted on a piece of wood and the cables should be armoured.

[Alison]

Have gone for fully outside compatible sockets, switches and lights in mine so I don't need to worry at all when I'm misting / cleaning or watering. The light is a pretty cheap one that you could use for security lighting but works straight off a switch rather than on a PIR or anything fancy like that.

[Alice]

Tell the electrician what you want and let him get on with his job BUT, before he gets there, work out what it is you want. He may know nothing about gardening
So you want several sockets,fully waterproof.
As for the light, at the moment you might just want a bulb, but give it a year and you'll be saying I could have been started earlier if I had a grow light, so maybe you could make provision for a socket for that.
But it's all money, so price the job with him before he does anything.
Enjoy your greenhouse.

[pigletwillie]

Ensure that the electrician you use is Building Regs Part P registered as he will need to issue you with a certificate for your councils Building control.

[wellie]

Alice,
Do you have one of those growbulb-type doobries?
I've always hankered after one secretly. On really dull overcast days that seem to go on for weeks on end, the little seedlings are ever-so sulking, and when you're talking aubergines, peppers/chillies, it can make a world of difference to crop harvesting times.

[Alison]

I like the idea of the grow bulb thingerme jobbies but part of the reason I want to grow my own is to minimise the environmental effects etc etc (yes I know I've got a heater in there but I only use it to keep off really bad frosts and haven't had to yet this year) so work on the principal that there are plenty of things I can grow without the need for artificial lighting and although I'll have a shorter season I can live with that. Not knocking anybody who does have one (sorry if it sounded like I was on a soap box) but it just doesn't sit right with me.

[Alice]

No I don't have a grow light Wellie, but if I was planning from scratch I would have. I might yet do something about it. I might get one to use for the seedlings I start in the house before they go to the greenhouse.

[NOG]

Ask for a quote first cos it could cos you a fortune.
If you want a 13a supply you will need armored cable that needs to be burried 3ft down.
This can then be connected to the consumer unit (make sure he fits a RCD breaker).
But he may want to fit a slave consumer unit in the Greenhouse then run a spur out for the light and one for the power.

I would think about running a Solar light, Sun powers battery and Batt works light. and decide how often I needed the power out there. I may just run a splashproof extension (plus RCDs) from the Garage or nearest point.

[jools]

There is already power in the summerhouse (okay - fancy shed) and there is a breaker. Slightest thing and it trips the switch in the house. there was also a supply running from the summerhouse to a pond pump. I filled the pond in when I had the twins so there is a bit of armoured cable then a box thingy and a bit more armoured cable out in the garden half way to the greenhouse. I have a well built wall running down that side of the garden. Can the armoured cable be fixed to that rather than buried 3 ft in the ground?? I wish DH knew something about DIY!

[jools]

Its all in and installed. Honestly, when the guy showed me that it all worked, I very nearly threw my arms round him. I feel like a very small child with a fantastic new toy.................AND I'm picking up my puppy on Saturday. How good can life get???
Jools

[Alice]

Great news Jools, I wish you many happy hours in there. And lots of happiness with your puppy. You must post a pic so that we can all admire.

[nick the grief]

... both Pup & greenhouse !!