Can I connect an outdoor socket to a junction box which feeds my garage?

[banksey88]

Hi,

I’m looking at adding an external socket on my house. I have a external junction box which is fed from the main consumer unit, in the junction box is a connector block which feeds a SWA cable which goes under my patio to my garage. In the garage is a smaller consumer unit which has a socket circuit, and a lighting circuit.

My question is, can I connect an outdoor socket to the external junction box directly? So the MCB in the main consumer unit will be feeding my garage consumer unit, as well as an outdoor socket.

Thanks for your help.

 

[telectrix]

should be OK. depends on the cable size and the MCB in the house rating.

 

[Petej999]

Hi,

I’m looking at adding an external socket on my house. I have a external junction box which is fed from the main consumer unit, in the junction box is a connector block which feeds a SWA cable which goes under my patio to my garage. In the garage is a smaller consumer unit which has a socket circuit, and a lighting circuit.

My question is, can I connect an outdoor socket to the external junction box directly? So the MCB in the main consumer unit will be feeding my garage consumer unit, as well as an outdoor socket.

Thanks for your help.

NO the socket will need RCD protection, some yes but no in my opinion

 

[telectrix]

missed that. all depends if the cable is already on RCD. some are, some not.

 

[banksey88]

The MCB is 16A. There is RCD protection at the consumer unit, and also the new outdoor socket will have RCD protection.

 

[Petej999]

The MCB is 16A. There is RCD protection at the consumer unit, and also the new outdoor socket will have RCD protection.

Should have not will have

 

[DPG]

Should have not will have

Can't see why it would need it if it has RCD protection at source.

 

[littlespark]

Double check the rcd.
Sometimes sheds come off an unprotected mcb with rcd in the shed, even though it looks like it’s on the rcd in the board.

Anything could happen inside the consumer unit.

A photo will help us advise

 

[Petej999]

Can't see why it would need it if it has RCD protection at source.

IF being the operative word Mate

 

[banksey88]

This is one side of my split consumer unit. I’ve just turned off the RCD and the garage power went off as expected. So proves the garage feed is RCD protected?

This is the junction box I want to take the feed to the socket off. Back cable is direct from the main consumer unit and bottom SWA cable going to the garage consumer unit.

And this is the garage consumer unit that the SWA cable from the junction box feeds.

 

[littlespark]

I’ll assume the SWA is earthed properly at the garage end. (Banjo with flylead to earth bar)

Not a problem adding an exterior socket to this circuit from the joint box.

 

[pc1966]

As above, check that the armour of the SWA is really earthed at the garage end (it should be as metal box, but might not be properly bonded if it lacks an earth wire to the "banjo" (earth tag, see it in the plastic junction box).

You should be able to add a plastic IP68 gland to the box and run some cable from that to your outdoor socket. Replace the choc block with some 3-way Wago terminals for that.

Remember to use cable rated for outdoor use (i.e. UV resistant)! The rubber H07RN-F is one choice, easy to use, but if you want something that stays in place better but is not so hard to deal with as SWA then look at NYY-J

 

[7029 dave]

Just dont like those banjo's, piranha nuts are my preference. (with fly led) hope its on the other end.

 

[pc1966]

Just dont like those banjo's, piranha nuts are my preference. (with fly led) hope its on the other end.

Yes, having tried the piranha / Earthing Net alternatives I would always choose them now.

But if they already have the banjo then a crimp terminal and bolt would allow a wire to be attached OK.

 

[banksey88]

I’ll assume the SWA is earthed properly at the garage end. (Banjo with flylead to earth bar)

Not a problem adding an exterior socket to this circuit from the joint box.

First time I’ve been inside the garage consumer unit since in moved in and the banjo is not connected to the earth bar! Thanks for pointing that out, I will be addressing that before I do anything else.