Hoping for some opinion on shed electrics

[rickyn]

Hi all, in my shed/workshop the electric is supplied by armoured cable to a separate rcd fusebox consumer unit within the shed. It only has two mini rcd circuits, one for the lights and the other for a pair of twin plug sockets.
The sheds insulated and well ventilated and theres no condensation issues in summer or winter.

However in the winter its too cold to work out there, now being mindful of not using the socket supply for anything too greedy ( i dont use the compressor or Welder in there). I have a 3kw convector heater with a thermostat, i was wondering if i could use that over the winter to sometimes warm it up in there so i can work, and also using the thermostat have it ticking over all winter in there to keep at about 5 degrees.

Would it be safe in that manner for my set up ?

 

[Chris Stevens]

How big is the shed? Little woodburner can be made out of old propane bottle very easily, and wood to burn not that hard to find foc.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Is this an old supply or something you have had fitted recently to current standards?

 

[rickyn]

Hi
Shed is 14 by ten, but what i would really like to do is have the heater taking the chill off all winter. Even when im not out there. Is 3 kw much of draw on the resources i have out there ?

 

[rickyn]

Is this an old supply or something you have had fitted recently to current standards?

Fitted about 5 years ago

 

[WorkshopChris]

In that case yes it should be fine. Have a look at oil filled radiators a 2kw heater will be considerably cheaper to run and give better heating than a convector heater, as the oil holds the heat.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Really need to know the cable size to the workshop, how long it is and the installation method.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

In that case yes it should be fine. Have a look at oil filled radiators a 2kw heater will be considerably cheaper to run and give better heating than a convector heater, as the oil holds the heat.

2Kw of heat is 2Kw of heat, a 2Kw oil filled radiator is no more efficient than a 2Kw convector heater, it holds the heat longer but takes longer to heat up!

 

[rickyn]

Really need to know the cable size to the workshop, how long it is and the installation method.

Its 2.5mm armoured cable supply to the rcd approx 30 feet long. When it was installed the chap saw my welder and compressor and suggested i used that in the garage not the shed as the shed supply was more for light domestic appliances only.

 

[gaz1]

Hi
Shed is 14 by ten, but what i would really like to do is have the heater taking the chill off all winter. Even when im not out there. Is 3 kw much of draw on the resources i have out there ?

i have a small rocket stove being built as the one i have is too powerful for the 10x9 shed that i have for pellets running in it a full bag would set you back in days usage 48hrs

an old oil burner could last you as long as you like as long as you fill it up

both uses are free

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Its 2.5mm armoured cable supply to the rcd approx 30 feet long. When it was installed the chap saw my welder and compressor and suggested i used that in the garage not the shed as the shed supply was more for light domestic appliances only.

Underground or overhead?

 

[rickyn]

Underground or overhead?

All over head except for the last four feet which is buried.
I should actually say the armoured cable feed comes from a consumer unit in the garage. And the feed to this a further 15 feet from the house fuse box. So 45 feet in total in armoured cable

 

[Wendelspanswick]

If it's underground 10m of 2.5mm 3 core swa should be OK for 5.5Kw.


Required Cable Size 2.5 mm
Voltage Drop 3.83 Volts.
Percentage Drop 1.7%
Current Load 23.9 Amps
Max Cable Load* 24.9 Amps
*Max Cable Load refers to the maximum allowable current for the cable used in the configuration given above and will vary considerably under different configurations.

 

[Robotstar5]

Its 2.5mm armoured cable supply to the rcd approx 30 feet long.

Assuming 3 core XLPE underground or clipped direct, you should be good for a 5kW load on it.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I use the TLC calculator, put the distance and cable type in and then play with the KW till it matches your cable size.
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Techni...230&length=10&submit=Calculate+Min+Cable+Size

 

[rickyn]

Sorry i forgot about the further run from the house. I have 14 metres in total of armoured cable including that (45 feet)

 

[Robotstar5]

Sorry i forgot about the further run from the house. I have 14 metres in total of armoured cable including that (45 feet)

Still OK for 5kW

 

[rickyn]

Fantastic. Great news and i knew this was the place to give me the answers, good or bad news.
Thanks for all your input and advice, much appreciated

 

[Wendelspanswick]

This calculator is good as well.
http://www.doncastercables.com/technical/cable_calculator

 

[rickyn]

Crikey, just checked how much it costs to run . £19.50 a week.....Gulp! So although fine to keep it bearable while working out there, keeping it above 5 degrees all winter would mean i would need a part time job to fund it.