Suggestions on electrical setup for shed

[irlforum]

Hi,
I'm new to the hobby and currently there is just 2 13 amp sockets in our shed originally installed for the oil burner for heating the house.

The plan is to get a spark in but I want to have abit of knowledge before I consult with him.

Would I be correct in saying that a new cable will need to be run from the fusebox in the house out to the shed to provide power sufficient power for the welding with a view to maybe having a plasma cutter, air compressor and other things such as a milling machine in the future? Also two or three fluorescent lights will be required.

Once the power is ran to the shed then what plug configuration should I be running and should there be an emergency cutoff switch. Also is there a device I can install to measure electricity units used?

One last thing I can think of for now. Do I need to install an extractor fan? I envisage working out there during the winter with the doors closed.

Thanks.

 

[cazl1994]

if i were you id put a few 32amp plugs around the workshop to power welders and tools and then the plugs will be big enought to power a big welder if you will need to in later time. the only thing i can think about meauser the units used is to install a meter inthe shed.

 

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

Are you in ROI or the north ? A lot of house supplies in the south are more limited than those in the north due to having a 63amp diazed fuse fitted into the consumer unit which has a fast characteristic and then using 20amp mcbs for the ring mains instead of 32amp , this dosnt help anyone wanting to weld and could limit the size of welder you can use .

 

[brightspark]

if your going to run a new cable min 6.0mm of a 40 amp breaker from the house into a 3way consumer unit. one 6 amp breaker for the lights a 20 amp breaker for a string of 13 amp sockets on a radial or 30 amp on a ring .:and either a radial to a 30 amp or a 16 amp socket for a welder depending on its ratingthat should be decent for your requirements ps i wouldnt bother with a checkmeter and the cutout can be achieved by turning the fuse box off

 

[weldsplatter]

Might pay you to go "future proof" and install a 10mm cable (50-60 amp ish)and a bigger consumer unit than a 3 way, you may only use 3 of the ways at the start but at least you won't be kicking yourself when you decide to get that bit extra equipment. Run a separate 10mm earth as well. One thing to remember is that if you acquire all the equipment you mention, is that you won't be using it all at once so you will be "diversifying" the load.
My workshop is like this, lathe, drill, welder, two beer fridges etc
I just bought 12 meters of 10mm T/E, round about £30 so not to badly priced, your sparky may charge you double that