Armoured cable for outdoors work area.

[Gaogier]

Hello

i was going to install armoured cable from my kitchen (hard wired) to my outdoor mini work area. I am now thinking of just using a regular uk 3 pin plug to the empty socket in my kitchen so we can easily stop power as it’s only going to be needed every so often. This should be okay right? I know the cable is a lot thicker.

the cable is black, should I put something like orange warning tape around it all? It wont be put into the ground, but run along fences, should be clearly visible at 1.7m height.

I am after 2 double metal clad style plug sockets, but also wanting at least 3 usb-c sockets too, should I try and find the double sockets with them already built in or try and find a single seize socket with usb-c connections?

 

[pcaouolte]

You won't be able to get armoured cable into a UK 3 pin plug.

Are you planning to put the metal clad sockets outdoors? They are not waterproof.

 

[chivers67]

How much power will your work area be using and how far is it away from your kitchen - or the nearest power socket?
You probably need something like this > https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-...oof-outdoor-switched-passive-rcd-socket/91095

How the power gets to it is another matter but what you're proposing isn't right.

 

[Murdochcat]

How much power will your work area be using and how far is it away from your kitchen - or the nearest power socket?
You probably need something like this > https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-...oof-outdoor-switched-passive-rcd-socket/91095

How the power gets to it is another matter but what you're proposing isn't right.

The circuit needs RCD protection so adding a socket with a built in RCD doesn’t make sense imho

 

[chivers67]

Very true, the house could well have RCD already. I did use the word probably.

 

[Murdochcat]

Very true, the house could well have RCD already. I did use the word probably.

That wasn’t aimed at you. More so the OP anyone reading this thread later

 

[JohnW2]

The circuit needs RCD protection so adding a socket with a built in RCD doesn’t make sense imho

Some people might feel that having an active RCD (which is what RCD sockets usually are) is a desirable additional safety feature for outdoor sockets (likely to be used for outdoor tools etc.), even if (as it should be) the circuit is RCD-protected - not because of the RCD functionality but, rather, the 'NVR' functionality (which, to the best of my knowledge, is not, in itself, available built into any BS1363 socket).

Kind Regards, John

 

[Murdochcat]

Some people might feel that having an active RCD (which is what RCD sockets usually are) is a desirable additional safety feature for outdoor sockets (likely to be used for outdoor tools etc.), even if (as it should be) the circuit is RCD-protected - not because of the RCD functionality but, rather, the 'NVR' functionality (which, to the best of my knowledge, is not, in itself, available built into any BS1363 socket).

Kind Regards, John

but having 2 RCDs in series gives you no idea which one will trip first, and from experience it’s the one at the board

so if the circuit is RCD protected, having a 2nd RCD socket is pointless

 

[oldbutnotdead]

You still have the problem that your landlord may not want you to fix a lump of SWA along the fenceposts.
Given that you aren't using the space every hour of the day, just buy a 2.5mm extension cable long enough to do the job and live with the setting/striking overhead when you do use it. Not ideal i know but avoids any problems with landlord.

 

[JohnW2]

but having 2 RCDs in series gives you no idea which one will trip first ....

Very true.

so if the circuit is RCD protected, having a 2nd RCD socket is pointless

Did you read and understand what I wrote (which was not about residual-current functionality)?

 

[Gaogier]

We have it booked in that someone will come to wire up The outdoor cable sometime middle September to install the wire into somewhere. They are happy for us to install this cable if it can be unplugged when not in use, doesn’t effect any fence repair work and we are required to remove when or if we ever leave here.

I had a chat with my mum who said that it should be okay to install this on a plug and use the sheds RCD circuit, as power has been used there now. All I am really doing is extending the wire from what will now be the shed, run a outdoor cable 5 meters or so, into a small bike shed size storage, where I can keep some tools and can roll the workbench outside, or just outside the property to be able to cut wood or whatever I am doing it.

why are we thinking of a plug over heard wire? If thats the correct term, we can cut off all power to this mini workshop when not in use, with the idea of not actually risking any power to that area if something does happen.

according to a sticker with shed written on it, the rcd fuse board does have a circuit to the shed, I thought it may be from the kitchen.
we have the oven and had a electric hob, but now just the oven so we have a rcd circuit free from having the hob replaced and my original thought was have the cable wired into the garden lights which is via the kitchen, or use the hobs power.

the guy coming mid September is due to change a couple plug sockets I think… maybe a light switch, I can’t remember

 

[Murdochcat]

Very true.

Did you read and understand what I wrote (which was not about residual-current functionality)?

yes, but if the house RCD trips ….there is absolutely no guarantee that the one on the outdoor socket will trip first

 

[JohnW2]

yes, but if the house RCD trips ….there is absolutely no guarantee that the one on the outdoor socket will trip first

We've agreed on that, but you still don't seem to understand the other reason (not related to residual-current functionality) why some people would favour RCD sockets outdoors (or, indeed, maybe in some indoor locations, such as workshops), even when there is other upstream RCD protection.

However, I can think of no clearer way of explaining than I did originally, so if you don't understand we'll just have to leave it at that.

 

[davelx]

Does MC understand what the "NVR" functionality of an Active RCD socket does?

I can't find a description in the thread

 

[JohnW2]

Does MC understand what the "NVR" functionality of an Active RCD socket does?

Seemingly not, but he claims to be ...

I’m a NAPIT spark ...

I can't find a description in the thread

There isn't one - but, if he didn't understand what it meant (despite 'being a NAPIT spark") he could/should have asked, shouldn't he (rather than 'going on' about something totally different)?

Kind Regards, John