advice on garage electrics

[madkayaker]

I think its time to get an electrician that can do the job properly for you

 

[brightspark]

I will not have enough lengh on the armoured cable to reach the consumer unit if I removed the large switch next to consumer, if I fit a metal box and gland then fit another box inplace of the switch to joint wires from consumer to armoured cable? when fitting metal box in garage I run earth from this to consumer? Do I leave the earth that goes from consumer out into carpark?

earth from metal box to consumer unit .as in the diagram in above link post . an earth rod is not required in garage unless it is a tt supply . thats another post . loose it not needed

 

[pondy]

Ok will get earths at both ends sorted and hope it allows me to use my 16a plugs. A previous owner installed this aswell as bodging alot of other things around house using what he could get his hands on, I have some pots on my wall with lights inside, two have the correct size wire, the other is a large cooker wire!

I mentioned that the armored cable is 4 core but only 2 wires are used, is there any advantage connecting the wires together so I have 2 lots of 2? Or leave it as it is, I dont know the size of the wire

 

[brightspark]

Ok will get earths at both ends sorted and hope it allows me to use my 16a plugs. A previous owner installed this aswell as bodging alot of other things around house using what he could get his hands on, I have some pots on my wall with lights inside, two have the correct size wire, the other is a large cooker wire!

I mentioned that the armored cable is 4 core but only 2 wires are used, is there any advantage connecting the wires together so I have 2 lots of 2? Or leave it as it is, I dont know the size of the wire

u can double them up if the extra capacity is needed. eg 2,5mm becomes 5mm and so on

 

[pondy]

Ok thanks, think I have asked enough questions now

 

[Robotstar5]

I dont know the size of the wire

The size is normally embossed on sheath although sometimes very difficult to read, should be something like 4x2.5mm²

 

[lshigham]

u can double them up if the extra capacity is needed. eg 2,5mm becomes 5mm and so on

That's dodgy as hell, if you fused it for both combined and one of the cores was broken though damage or the connection came loose you have just created a nice fire hazard and will have great fun explaining that one to the insurance company.

 

[Robotstar5]

That's dodgy as hell, if you fused it for both combined and one of the cores was broken though damage or the connection came loose you have just created a nice fire hazard and will have great fun explaining that one to the insurance company.

Seen it done, 2 x 2.5mm² T&E doubled up for a shower!

 

[brightspark]

That's dodgy as hell, if you fused it for both combined and one of the cores was broken though damage or the connection came loose you have just created a nice fire hazard and will have great fun explaining that one to the insurance company.

 

[brightspark]

its not dodgy at all doing it with swa cable .all the cores are enclosed in the same casing and are the same length

 

[lshigham]

its not dodgy at all doing it with swa cable .all the cores are enclosed in the same casing and are the same length

It's still perfectly possible to damage a SYA without cutting all the cores, I've seen more than a few that have met a digger bucket

I don't think you should be giving advice about methods ''not recommended'' in the 17th edition to who doesn't know what they are doing anyway, no offence intended to the OP

 

[madkayaker]

Parallel conductors are common practice within industry

 

[lshigham]

Parallel conductors are common practice within industry

On larger stuff with proper terminals yes. You wouldn't do it in your house with choc blocks though, well I wouldn't anyway

 

[brightspark]

Parallel conductors are common practice within industry

correct providing there run parallell with each other and the same length

 

[brightspark]

On larger stuff with proper terminals yes. You wouldn't do it in your house with choc blocks though, well I wouldn't anyway

who mentioned chockblocks in the post have u ever heard of service conector blocks

 

[Robotstar5]

On larger stuff with proper terminals yes. You wouldn't do it in your house with choc blocks though, well I wouldn't anyway

Use Wago connectors?

 

[tlovatt]

Its common in houses, ring mains are in effect conductors in parallel and one side can become disconnected.

Where you do need to be careful is the rating of the CPC - if you parallel the cores you may have insufficient CPC rating.

 

[madkayaker]

No need for connectors as the cores would all be in terminals

 

[Robotstar5]

who mentioned chockblocks in the post have u ever heard of service conector blocks

Post #20 may have given that impression?

 

[tlovatt]

How is a chockblock connector any different from every switch or socket connection (to the ring mains) in a house? almost every ceiling rose has a terminal block in it anyway?