Power from house cu to mancave

[Lewis247]

Hi I'm looking to run power from the consumer unit in my house to my man cave / mini house what would be the best way todo this

Thanks Lewis

 

[Andy78]

Best way is to employ a local electrician.
This work should be undertaken by a professional who can design, install, and test the installation according to the wiring regulations. It is likely that this work will also be legally notifiable to local building control.

 

[Pete999]

Hi I'm looking to run power from the consumer unit in my house to my man cave / mini house what would be the best way todo this

Thanks Lewis

Engage the services of a qualified Electrician, Lewis247, the best and simplest way to get the job done correctly.

 

[Spoon]

Welcome to the forum mate.
The answers above are probably not what you want to hear but they are correct.

 

[Dillb]

As above, your very vague description show you are inexperienced. So please get a local sparks to design, install and test anything you want doing electrically.

 

[Lewis247]

Hi an thanks for the fast reply people

I was thinking to do it myself then get a friend of a friend who is an electrician to check it all over for me i was thinking to go down the route of adding a extra mcb in my consumer unit or even using the 40A shower one that's not in use then running a cable from the mcb to my garage an connecting it to a separate smaller consumer unit an running 10mm SWA armoured cable to my man cave / mini house there will be quite a lot of electrical stuff in there as I'm thinking to fit a shower/lights/wall sockets etc etc

 

[Andy78]

I was thinking to do it myself then get a friend of a friend who is an electrician to check it all over for me

If this is the case you would be best to take advice from this person as they will be signing their name on the certificate, and they will want the job done to their specification.

 

[Spoon]

I was thinking to do it myself then get a friend of a friend who is an electrician to check it all over for me

You then need to ask your friend of a friend what needs doing, as he/she will be signing it off.

Maybe I should have read your post @Andy78 before I posted mine.

 

[Pete999]

Agree with Andy75, also given that you are a DIYer, it would far to difficult and dangerous to give advice, other than what has been said in the preceeding posts, an example where did you come up with a 10mm2 SWA were there any calculations done? or is it a stab in the dark, the latter I should imagine. far simmple to pay a qualified Electrician, to design, install, test and notify the BCO of this work, to coin a often used phrase, it's a lot more than just a couple of wires.

 

[Lewis247]

Ok I will try get in contact with them

but for the time being i was just wondering if the idea of running a wire from my consumer unit in my house to a smaller consumer unit in my garage would work i think the smaller consumer unit in my garage would have to be like a 4 way one ip65 with one fuse for shower 40A ? one for plug sockets 16A one for lighting 6A an a spare if i ever need to add anymore any help would be much appreciated as i am gonna try get this done diy as much as I can

 

[Spoon]

You can run a cable from your house CU to your mancave.
All the other factors that go with this will be down to the electrician who will be signing off the work.

 

[Octopus]

No more advice chaps.... It's abundantly clear he won't engage a spark.

 

[JAWS]

Lewis the guys replying in this thread have many years experience between them so I would advise to take their advice on board.

 

[Wilko]

Hi Lewis - extending power to a remote building is not a simple thing, neither is modifying a distribution board. If you've an interest in the work my suggestion is to offer to work with the Electrician you engage.

 

[Lewis247]

i do fully under stand it's not a simple thing todo but I'm only here asking people to assist me in doing it I have changed mini circuit breakers in consumer units before an run cables to out buildings I'm just asking you guys to help me do it the safest way possible

 

[Pete999]

i do fully under stand it's not a simple thing todo but I'm only here asking people to assist me in doing it I have changed mini circuit breakers in consumer units before an run cables to out buildings I'm just asking you guys to help me do it the safest way possible

Not adviseable to give step by step ad.vice Lewis, for your sake and that of any family members, get a Sparky to do the work, nothing wrong with you acting as a labourer, under the Sparky's suppervision

 

[Andy78]

i do fully under stand it's not a simple thing todo but I'm only here asking people to assist me in doing it I have changed mini circuit breakers in consumer units before an run cables to out buildings I'm just asking you guys to help me do it the safest way possible

Getting an electrician in is the safest way. It is also the best way, as per your original question.
If you want to ignore that advice then the forum is not here to help you engage in potentially dangerous activities.

 

[Pete999]

i do fully under stand it's not a simple thing todo but I'm only here asking people to assist me in doing it I have changed mini circuit breakers in consumer units before an run cables to out buildings I'm just asking you guys to help me do it the safest way possible

Not adviseable to give step by step advice Lewis, for your sake and that of any family members, get a Sparky to do the work, nothing wrong with you acting as a labourer, under the Sparky's suppervision

 

[Lewis247]

Ok I'll just give it ago an see how I get on I do fully understand what you are saying lads but I have done stuff like this many of times without any problems other then the mcb tripping an I put that down to me putting a low amp rated fuse in as stated i was just looking for answers to my questions todo it the safest way possible

 

[Dillb]

Ok I'll just give it ago an see how I get on I do fully understand what you are saying lads but I have done stuff like this many of times without any problems other then the mcb tripping an I put that down to me putting a low amp rated fuse in as stated i was just looking for answers to my questions todo it the safest way possible

The safest way is the correct way, unfortunatly you haven’t demonstrated anything to show you are competant in understanding what we are telling you. You say you have a electrician to assist you, so I suggest you ask them for their advice as they will be far more knowledgeable of what the job involves than any of us do.

 

[Deleted account]

I don't think this is a wind up. I hoped it was.

Lewis 247

Its entirely up to you if you do it or not.

But....

The problem you have is you don't know what you don't know. You are not "electrically skilled".

You may have changed mcb's in the past or done some small electrical jobs, but did you do it correctly.
Just because it functionally worked after does not mean it is safe for continued use.
Also under fault conditions are systems in place to minimise the risk to human life.

It's not what you think you know. It's what you don't know.

 

[DPG]

Ok I'll just give it ago an see how I get on I do fully understand what you are saying lads but I have done stuff like this many of times without any problems other then the mcb tripping an I put that down to me putting a low amp rated fuse in as stated i was just looking for answers to my questions todo it the safest way possible

Unfortunately, the only thing you know about work you have done in the past is that lights have come on and sockets have supplied power. What you don't know is whether the system is safe, ie. whether the protective device (MCB or fuse) will operate when a fault occurs, whether the insulation resistance is OK, and many other things. These things will only come to light when a fault occurs at some point in the future, and only proper testing using appropriate equipment will confirm that all is actually OK.

I admire you wanting to have a go, but as the guys have said - this is beyond home DIY. You are risking your family, and you are also risking any future occupants of the house in years to come, when a fault may occur and problems may become apparent.

 

[Lewis247]

I don't think this is a wind up. I hoped it was.

Lewis 247

Its entirely up to you if you do it or not.

But....

The problem you have is you don't know what you don't know. You are not "electrically skilled".

You may have changed mcb's in the past or done some small electrical jobs, but did you do it correctly.
Just because it functionally worked after does not mean it is safe for continued use.
Also under fault conditions are systems in place to minimise the risk to human life.

It's not what you think you know. It's what you don't know.

It's not a wind up
I'm just looking for a little help as stated i have changed mcb's an done plug circuits an little stuff like that before I am no electrician an I don't think I am i just do it as diy everything I do I normally connect to a mini CU with a 80 amp double pole isolation i do check sockets with a plug tester an try be as safe as possible I always keep a eye on what I have done like cables an fuses to make sure nuffink looks wrong

 

[Spoon]

You have to have a word with your friend of a friend. They are signing off the work. They will give you all the info you need.

 

[marconi]

Lewis247: Nota bene:

"The doorstep(shed door) to the temple(shed/man cave) of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance." ~ Benjamin Franklin

 

[DPG]

An English man's man cave is his temple.

 

[Pete999]

An English man's man cave is his temple.

Mine aint Dave, it's got the Freezer plugged in, and Her in Doors keeps interuptingmy Leisure time, reminder ask a question on the Forum on how to add an extra socket.

 

[DPG]

That's twice now I've been called Dave.

 

[Spoon]

That's twice now I've been called Dave.

Whats wrong Dave..... Is your name not Dave, Dave???

 

[Lewis247]

I'm Sure all will be Ok
I just thought a few of the people on this electrician forum might of wanted to help other then just say get a electrician in if I was gonna get a electrician in i would of just phoned one

 

[Pete999]

That's twice now I've been called Dave.

No it's Rodney, Trig. Not going to call him Dave, any more

 

[Spoon]

I'm Sure all will be Ok
I just thought a few of the people on this electrician forum might of wanted to help other then just say get a electrician in if I was gonna get a electrician in i would of just phoned one

But you are getting an electrician in. A friend of a friend.
He is signing off your work. What has he/she said?

 

[Pete999]

That's twice now I've been called Dave.

No it's Rodney, Trig, named after Dave,

 

[Lewis247]

But you are getting an electrician in. A friend of a friend.
He is signing off your work. What has he/she said?

Friend of a friend to look at it didn't say nuffink about signing anything off an that's if they have time to look if I'm honest

 

[Midwest]

Friend of a friend to look at it didn't say nuffink about signing anything off an that's if they have time to look if I'm honest

If we're frank (or Dave), the only reason you wish to do this yourself, is to save money. You may search the tin'ternet and find some of the info you require. But you won't have the inclination to buy the test equipment you need, to ensure everything is cushty, 'cos it means spending more money, which your trying to save.

You could pop down to B&Q and ask there, as they sell all you need.

Seriously OP, is it really worth a few hundred pounds?

 

[Midwest]

PS you 'friend' isn't Grant Maclaren by chance.

 

[Lewis247]

I'm sure all will be fine

I'll check all the wireing everyday to make sure it's not hot or anything an ill have all the appropriate stuff in place like smoke alarms

 

[elsparko]

If we're frank (or Dave), the only reason you wish to do this yourself, is to save money. You may search the tin'ternet and find some of the info you require. But you won't have the inclination to buy the test equipment you need, to ensure everything is cushty, 'cos it means spending more money, which your trying to save.

You could pop down to B&Q and ask there, as they sell all you need.

Seriously OP, is it really worth a few hundred pounds?

they actually dont sell everything he needs there, maybe at tradepoint but they likely wont have it either, underground electrical hazard tape is just 1 item i know he wont get there

 

[Pete999]

they actually dont sell everything he needs there, maybe at tradepoint but they likely wont have it either, underground electrical hazard tape is just 1 item i know he wont get there

They got Sand though.

 

[KEV 1 N]

Why does this come to mind........?

 

[Flash]

so you have no valid house insurance !!

 

[Octopus]

I'm Sure all will be Ok
I just thought a few of the people on this electrician forum might of wanted to help other then just say get a electrician in if I was gonna get a electrician in i would of just phoned one

The principal activity of the site is for Sparks, to help SPARKS, not provide step by step guides to clueless DIYers.............

 

[telectrix]

the best advice i can give is to get a local qualified spark who can sort out your part pee nonsense with BC. let him quote you for the job on the understanding that you will get the trench dug and filled ( under his/her direction and supervision. no spark likes digging trenches)and see if that saves you some dosh.

 

[HandyMann]

This work is not simple. If it was you wouldn’t be asking.
This work is notifiable to your Local Authority. They’ll charge you a couple of hundred quid to inspect your work as you muddle through the process.
But if you won’t pay a professional you probably won’t tell your Local Authority either.
So, with that in mind, it’s simple.
To avoid detection get hold of material that can’t be dated, eg cabling ripped out of an old installation that pre-dates the current wiring regs.
Red and black insulation. That’s the key here. If anyone asks says it was like that when you moved in.
Use that empty shower mcb to attach some of this old twin and earth (remember to lick your fingers first) then string it out of the nearest window, peg it to a washing line for extra support and feed it through a hole in your cave wall. Terminate it inside an old metal dustbin where you can daisy chain a load of terminal blocks, each one feeding the different circuits.
If you’re not sure what size terminal block to use look at the wattage of the appliances the circuit will feed, ignore the number, put your finger in the air, close your eyes and pull one out of a lucky bag.
Once all the circuits are connected, remember to put the lid back on the bin to stay safe. You could tape it on just to be sure.
Remember also to check the maximum Zs value using any method you can think of.
That it I think but please have some unique dentistry work completed first, so it’s easier for your charred remains to be identified.

 

[Darkwood]

@Lewis247

The forum is here to give advice with safety in mind, the work you wish to undertake is beyond that which you are allowed to undertake without the oversight of a competent person who will test and sign off the work on your behalf.
There are similar routes to get the job done by yourself but all require some form of notification and signing off.

Members have advised you to bring a competent person in to either oversee the work or do the work not to try block your enquiry or wind you up, it's because this is the safe way to ensure the work carried out isn't going to cause you or your family any harm or that of your property.

The forum does not give step by step guides for DIY work for which your enquiry is beyond what we would consider fits that category.

On that note I and closing the thread, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Re' Darkwood.