Supply power to outhouse

[Rowano]

Long time reader, first time poster, so go easy please!

I know this has been covered previously, but I need it spelling out to me 'cos I'm a little confused

I want to move the washing machine to a brick outhouse which currently has a light installed but no sockets. I was under the impression that I could (ask an electrician to) spur from an existing socket and run a single cable into the outhouse protected with an RCBO in the outhouse and then into double socket. However, I've had a spark come round to quote for this, and he's told me I can't do this, that I need to run a radial from the main CU with RCBO protection to the garage and into a garage CU and then I can get a circuit installed. I feel like he's trying to take me for a ride though, because the first thing he did was look at the main CU and see that it had no spare slots to install another circuit and that I would need the CU upgrading to do this.

So, what is the best way to do this? The outhouse socket will only run a washing machine and if I can spur off an existing ring main then it would be a lot less messy because I've just decorated the front of the house and don't want have walls chased out and florr boards lifted if I can help it.

Thanks!!

 

[chapeau]

What size cable (diameter of copper conductors) is running to your outhouse supplying your lights, and where does it come (circuit wise) from inside your house?

If you don't think the electrician is being straight then get a couple more to quote the same job. If they all say the same thing they are almost certainly all being honest with you.

 

[ericmark]

A washing machine is over 2Kw so if considered as fixed then it should not be connected to ring main. However since most plug in we do connect to ring main and do not consider as fixed.
So one can't say the electrician is wrong. But likely another would bend rules in your favour.
Of course you don't want anything dangerous but so long as protected the worse case should be a blown fuse or tripped breaker.
Each electrician must decide if he can justify his actions so as already said try another electrician and see what he says. And ask him why if you don't like what he says as often first to tell people best way and then if they quibble one looks for second best and if you talk to him he may find an alternative.

 

[Rowano]

The lighting installation is (I think) just an extension of the existing radial supplying downstairs indoors lights using 1.5mm cable. This was already installed when I moved in though, so am not completely sure on this. I would assume it follows on from the bathroom light as this is the adjoining room. Turning off downstairs lights at main CU stops the light coming on.

 

[chapeau]

Cannot use that circuit then. Is the out-house attached to the main house in much the same way that some garages are attached? If that's the case I'd just take a spur off a ring, RCD protect, double socket in the outhouse and bob's your uncle. Not even notifiable.

 

[Rowano]

Thanks chapeau, that's what I wanted to hear! Yes it's attached to the house just doesn't have access through an internal door. Will give someone else a call and see what they say.

 

[bongos]

Thanks chapeau, that's what I wanted to hear! Yes it's attached to the house just doesn't have access through an internal door. Will give someone else a call and see what they say.

You'll probably hear the same thing from other sparks.

Unfortunately there is no way of using that existing lighting point for your washing machine and if a spark didn't have a look at your main CU before giving you a quote i'd be worried!

They would need to know the state of the exisiting installation to be added to, whether there were any spare ways, RCD protection etc etc...

You don't have to have a dedicated garage CU but at the very least you would probably require a 16A radial running to the outhouse/garage.

 

[chapeau]

... but at the very least you would probably require a 16A radial running to the outhouse/garage.

Where does it say that?

 

[JohnD]

it might be useful to know the brand, age and colour (yes!) of your CU, how many ways it has in it, and what circuits they supply.

 

[Rowano]

I think the existing CU was installed in 1999 when the house refurbed throughout (def had a re-wire then). As I say, only moved in recently so not absolutely sure of this. It's fed off a 80A main fuse, with 80A limit on the main switch. It has 32A shower radial, 2 32A ring mains and 1 5A lighting circuit, with no spare ways. It's a cream colour with a clear brown front panel that comes off with 2 thumb screws.