Hi Guys
Having recently moved into a new house, I have come to realise recently that there are some sub-standard electrics powering up two sheds in my back-garden. Some advice is required (and would be very much appreciated), to assist my knowledge in whether the current configuration is a)dangerous, and b) my best options to rectify and make safe.
Having inspected the wiring last week I have noticed that my two sheds (one brick outbuilding and one large wooden shed) have both been powered up from a single spur taken from a kitchen socket. This has been run with a 3 core flex, unsure what gauge but it seems to me to be an insufficient thickness. This is then routed (not in conduit) approx 12m through a covered passageway between the terraced houses, under a 1 metre opening (which is susceptible to weathering), and into the first outbuilding shed. Two double sockets are supplied in here, after which a junction box to shielded cable which is then run under ground to the bottom shed, a further 20m. Within the bottom shed there are 4x2 way sockets and lighting, all of the above supplied from this single kitchen spur.
I am extremely worried having discovered this that the wiring is dangerous ? What could be the outcome of this ? Wiring catching alight and burning out ? Worse ? Should I disconnect this immediately to avoid such a disaster ? NB. I have been using a tumble drier in the brick shed for 3 months with no disasterous consequences (yet !).
Of course I realise that this is going to be needed to be sorted asap, and won't be undertaking this work myself as I am an electronic engineer and not an electrican, but want to understand the extent of the work that is required.
I do have the additional problem of a 6-way consumer unit (with no RCD)and which all MCBs are currently employed for other tasks (2 lighting rings (5A), 2 ringmains (30A each), 1 cooker (45A), 1 immersion heating (15A).
Is it a necessity in this circumstance to replace the consumer unit for (8/10 way) to allow a free MCB for the purpose of supplying the outside sheds ? Are there any other options i.e. having a 2 way consumer unit added within one of the current ringmains for the house (and not spurred), which then goes on to supply the sheds ?
Of course I want to ensure that I am able to sleep at night and make these electrics safe ! This being a family home with my 2 young children and wife and since detecting the work that the previous billy bodger owner had carried out, I am concerned that this could put my family at risk and potentially cause a house fire.
Your responses would be very much appreciated.
Having recently moved into a new house, I have come to realise recently that there are some sub-standard electrics powering up two sheds in my back-garden. Some advice is required (and would be very much appreciated), to assist my knowledge in whether the current configuration is a)dangerous, and b) my best options to rectify and make safe.
Having inspected the wiring last week I have noticed that my two sheds (one brick outbuilding and one large wooden shed) have both been powered up from a single spur taken from a kitchen socket. This has been run with a 3 core flex, unsure what gauge but it seems to me to be an insufficient thickness. This is then routed (not in conduit) approx 12m through a covered passageway between the terraced houses, under a 1 metre opening (which is susceptible to weathering), and into the first outbuilding shed. Two double sockets are supplied in here, after which a junction box to shielded cable which is then run under ground to the bottom shed, a further 20m. Within the bottom shed there are 4x2 way sockets and lighting, all of the above supplied from this single kitchen spur.
I am extremely worried having discovered this that the wiring is dangerous ? What could be the outcome of this ? Wiring catching alight and burning out ? Worse ? Should I disconnect this immediately to avoid such a disaster ? NB. I have been using a tumble drier in the brick shed for 3 months with no disasterous consequences (yet !).
Of course I realise that this is going to be needed to be sorted asap, and won't be undertaking this work myself as I am an electronic engineer and not an electrican, but want to understand the extent of the work that is required.
I do have the additional problem of a 6-way consumer unit (with no RCD)and which all MCBs are currently employed for other tasks (2 lighting rings (5A), 2 ringmains (30A each), 1 cooker (45A), 1 immersion heating (15A).
Is it a necessity in this circumstance to replace the consumer unit for (8/10 way) to allow a free MCB for the purpose of supplying the outside sheds ? Are there any other options i.e. having a 2 way consumer unit added within one of the current ringmains for the house (and not spurred), which then goes on to supply the sheds ?
Of course I want to ensure that I am able to sleep at night and make these electrics safe ! This being a family home with my 2 young children and wife and since detecting the work that the previous billy bodger owner had carried out, I am concerned that this could put my family at risk and potentially cause a house fire.
Your responses would be very much appreciated.