Hot Tub

[Pigswill]

Hi, i'm just after a bit of advice, i'm thinking of having a hot tub installed in the garden and i'm just planning on what i will need installing to power it up. I have some knowledge of electrics but i will be having all the important stuff done by a proffesional as i think what i need doing will be notifiable. I'll just get some of the donkey work done to speed things up and reduse costs.
To have the hot tub installed i will need a 32amp supply installed, as the garage is only supplied with 2.5mm armoured i know this wont be sufficient to handle the hot tub.
I live in a new build house, and the problem is there are spaces left in the board in house. Is it possible to add another sub board from the main board like the the rcd protected units you get for showers but swap the 60amp for 32amp.
I'm just accessing what can and cant be done. If it beens i've got to get a bigger board installed then the idea is dead in the water.
What are my options ?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Get a sparky in to take a look. Tell them you you are willing to do some of the donkey work so your quotes reflect this. they can advise you on cable sizing, earthing etc. There is sparks on here based near you that would more than likely come give you a quote.

 

[Pigswill]

I am going to, but just wanted to know if i can expand the board without having to replace the entire existing board. I'm well aware of the regulations sounding what i want to do, and won't be doing anything i shouldn't, i would not put my family at risk especially when water and electricity are involved.

 

[telectrix]

there should not be any problem adding an extra way to the existing board if it has spare ways. this extra way could feed a sub-board or just the hot tub. alternatively, your electrician could split the tails before the existing board and feed a sub-board independently.

 

[Pigswill]

I dont have any ways spare, so hopefully be able to put in a small 1 way board like you have for a shower which has rcd protection and a a single circuit breaker.

 

[telectrix]

OK, then the way forward is to split the tails so that the feed from the meter joints into 2 sets of tails, 1 set for each DB.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Is the meter in a external outside box, if it's a new build?

 

[Pigswill]

Another thought is if it is possible to free up a way. I live in a 3 story house is it possible to combine 2 lighting circuits to do this ?

 

[Pigswill]

Yes meter is external.

 

[telectrix]

if your smoke detectors are on their own circuit, stick them on with one of the lighting circuits. ssimpllees.

 

[Pigswill]

Yes they are with the burglar alarm ! I also have outdoor lighting on its own circuit. That only powers 2 lights outside. Could combine them with the downstairs lighting circuit.
I kind of like the idea of keeping the smoke detectors on their own circuit.

 

[telectrix]

you can do either option.

 

[ifindoubtdont]

This post is not meant in a derogatory way, however I think the OP knows more than he is letting on. Please get a local spark involved from the beginning, he/she will advise you on what is required. And will probably love you to bits cos they don't have to dig out the trench. Your life and the life of your family depend on getting this bit right. There is no coming back from a major electric shock. The work you talk about is notifiable, your local electrician will more than likely be registered with a competent persons body and will be able to do the notification for you. Enjoy your Hot Tub in safety.

 

[uksparks]

Pigswill, where about a do you live as I may only be round the corner...

 

[Pigswill]

Hi i live in Coalville, ive not even bought the tub yet and i've got to do some work in the garden before i even get it. I'm just figuring out what needs to be done before i even consider getting one so i can figue out costs.

And yes i do have some knowledge of electrics, but i also know my limitations. Whats the point in having these forums if people can't come on and ask for advice/ info. And the only answer is "get a spark in to take a look". I have said multiple times now that i dont intend to carry out the important stuff myself, because i know its notifiable and i also know i am not qualiffied to do so. And more importantly i would never put family or myself at risk by doing something i shouldn't.

 

[telectrix]

Hi i live in Coalville, ive not even bought the tub yet and i've got to do some work in the garden before i even get it. I'm just figuring out what needs to be done before i even consider getting one so i can figue out costs.

And yes i do have some knowledge of electrics, but i also know my limitations. Whats the point in having these forums if people can't come on and ask for advice/ info. And the only answer is "get a spark in to take a look". I have said multiple times now that i dont intend to carry out the important stuff myself, because i know its notifiable and i also know i am not qualiffied to do so. And more importantly i would never put family or myself at risk by doing something i shouldn't.

don't take offence at his post, as lately there have been a high proportion of DIYers coming on here just picking brains so that they can have a go themselves, consequently some of us are wary about giving too much advice if this is suspected. some time ago ( not on a forum, i was asked by a guy what cable he needed to install in a garden to feed a shed. he told me he'd lay the cable and phone me to do the job. some 2 months later, i found out that he'd done it all himself and his 8 year old daughter had received a shock. fortunately, not fatal. his wife called in an electrician who found that he'd dragged in 2.5mm twin&earth which he'd damaged.

 

[Pigswill]

I totally understand that.

 

[telectrix]

OK, so your options are to double up 2 lighting circuits or a lighting and the smokes. this will free up a way so that your electrician can change the MCB for the correct value to suit whatever the load and cable size demands. no problem.

 

[GMES]

Hi i live in Coalville, ive not even bought the tub yet and i've got to do some work in the garden before i even get it. I'm just figuring out what needs to be done before i even consider getting one so i can figue out costs.

And yes i do have some knowledge of electrics, but i also know my limitations. Whats the point in having these forums if people can't come on and ask for advice/ info. And the only answer is "get a spark in to take a look". I have said multiple times now that i dont intend to carry out the important stuff myself, because i know its notifiable and i also know i am not qualiffied to do so. And more importantly i would never put family or myself at risk by doing something i shouldn't.

The forum Is a place for Electricians to interact with each other regarding all things electrical, it is also a place where we try to help people like yourself with questions like you are asking now. However the members will not and should not hand out step by step instructions to members of the public on how to carry out electrical work on their own, now I am not suggesting you are going to do this but we have to be cautious with what we say so please don't take offence at what you are being told.
We will always try and help and advise people but sometimes the only real advice we can give is Get a qualified electrician in.

 

[telectrix]

Glenn, i think pigswill has said he's just working out ther logistics and viability of the project ( i hope ) with a view to employing a spark to do the work.

 

[Pigswill]

As you have said pure logistics at the minute, and trying to work out costs.

 

[ifindoubtdont]

All the more reason to get a local sparky involved. You can discuss with them the work you can do to keep the cost down. The one thing I hate about wiring a shed/summerhouse is digging the trench out. That would be a large chunk of the labour costs. Get a quote, you may be pleasantly surprised.