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I've been thinking about the simplest way to get power to my shed. I want something a bit more robust than running an extension lead down the garden, then in through the door. The power in the shed will be needed mainly for lighting (LED worklight type), charging various batteries, and powering a smart turbo trainer. I tend to use power tools outside, closer to the house with a shorter cable run.
we've got an outdoor double socket in weatherproof housing and I think this is on the ring main and not a spur. It was put in when the house was built, rather than after. I was thinking about changing the socket for one with a built in RCD, but not sure if this actually makes any difference as there is an RCD at the consumer unit? (The RCD is for all downstairs sockets I think, the outdoor socket isn't on it's own independent RCD)
My idea is to fit a hook up socket on the outside of the shed and run a cable from the outdoor socket to this. About 10m cable run, maybe less. Inside the shed, I will have an individually switched 4-way extension block with the lights plugged into this. I'd like to keep this all within the same technical scope as wiring plugs and ideally using as much pre-made stuff as possible, but shortening cables where needed. This is mainly for simplicity, ease and speed of getting it sorted, but I also don't want to end up doing anything silly. I did think about wiring a light switch in by the door but that's not necessary really.
Overall, my main concern is not overloading anything. In essence, what I'm proposing is:
Outdoor socket -> normal plug -> outdoor cable (10m) -> hook up type socket -> hook up type plug -> cable inside shed -> 4-way extension block.
This is essentially as straight forward as a long extension lead but with a hook socket/plug in the run.
Does this all seem sensible?
I ran an armoured cable from a garage socket (with an additional RCD) out to the summer house - cable down side of garage, then along the back of a concrete fence base panels over to the summer house. The cable is away from any potential accidential damage. Cable then to plug socket in summer house with low power lights and an additional double socket spurred off.
Not to recommended electrical installation standards, but I'm not moving, and it's safe
It's a bit of extra complication over an extension lead with no benefit. The weak link is the cable so do what you can to protect that. It's better to have it visible than put it in anything or bury it. No point in adding an rcd if the circuit is already protected. The hook up type plug and socket adds nothing. Just wire up an extension lead and route the cable carefully. Make sure it has decent cable (2.5mm) and is reasonable quality. Maybe buy some arctic cable or hi tuff and make your own. The fuse in the plug will prevent overload. You can add a light switch by wiring one up that plugs into the extension lead. Not quite to regs but will be fine.
Depends what you want to put in the shed, lights, chargers etc would be fine, big motors like a drill, compressor, grinding wheel, etc tend not to work so well on long extension leads.
I'd keep the 13a plug as its fused, make sure the cable is massively overrated to minimise voltsge drop and suitable for outdoor use and just bear that in mind when scope creep kicks in and you want to take up tig welding.
PS I ordered armoured cable on-line and it was cheaper than a long extension lead. The only problem with it is wiring into a plug or socket - the wires are very chunky and you'll have fun cutting the armoured braid off. Other option is running heavy duty rubber coated cable inside some PVC pipe - gives some added protection, but don't bury it as has ben mentioned.
It’s a bit of extra complication over an extension lead with no benefit. The weak link is the cable so do what you can to protect that. It’s better to have it visible than put it in anything or bury it.
In my first draft of writing the post I'd said I want it to be temporary, but seems I cut that out in the final post! It would be temporary for the reasons you've mentioned. I don't want to bury the cable or run it inside trunking etc. I don't need power in the shed all of the time. I don't mind running a cable when it's needed, and then taking it out of harms way when its not. Also I'm not sure how long we will live in this house for, so I don't really want a proper wired in and buried solution that I'll have to decommission at some point. This is why I'm considering the hook up connector etc
Firstly why would you need to decommission? Power to a shed is always a bonus for any would be buyer. Take a spur or even joint out and remove the existing socket and get power to your shed. 10m is sold all, size accordingly and you'll be running a heater and the mrs wilm be wondering why you're spending so much time in the shed!
Might take the shed with us you see, as we're unlikely to be going far