Temporary workaround - power to garage

Raggy · Mar 9, 2019

Hi guys,

I need to run power to my garage. At the moment, I've gotten away with wiring a long extension cable. 13A Plug on one end, cabled to double female receptacles at the other end.

So far that's worked fine as I've only used a LED light and some other low powered items. I just unplug from the house when I'm finished, roll up the cable and leave it in the garage for next time. Got nowhere near 13A.

I now need much more power available in the garage for heaters, tools etc.
I have a medium term plan for this - my back garden is going to be dug up later in the year and I'll be calling in a pro to run SWA from the mains, under the new garden surface and into a consumer unit in the garage.

My question is this - is there an easy way for me to temporarily run more power to my garage, in a similar fashion to what I'm currently doing? One piece of equipment will be drawing over 15A alone.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Raggy · Mar 9, 2019

I think it's about 15 metres distance, but would need to double check, as it's been a while.

Pete999 · Mar 9, 2019

Raggy said:
I think it's about 15 metres distance, but would need to double check, as it's been a while.

Go with the plan of getting a Sparky in to do the work

Wilko · Mar 9, 2019

Sorry to say, but as soon as you need more than 13A you aren't going to be able to do a quick temporary and safe thing yourself. There are connectors and cable with more Amps, but what to put each end onto becomes the problem.

diditrain · Mar 9, 2019

Cancel all TV this weekend and get the shovel out now and dig a deep trench. Deep enough so you won`t disturb it when you do your garden. Get your electrician in and then get your trench backfilled. Job done. If you can`t do the digging yourself, then find a local labourer to do the donkey work for you.

shaun1 · Mar 9, 2019

You could also maybe have the armour clipped to the fence or similar, and leave a bit of extra hidded behind the shed. This would mean its not going to get disturbed and you can just bury it when the garden is dug up and have it rr terminated if necessary.

The Ghost · Mar 9, 2019

Hire/buy a generator???

Toneyz · Mar 9, 2019

As Pete posted either get the planned work done or as Vort posted a generator. I would say the first option of getting it done sooner.

Deleted member 105166 · Mar 9, 2019

Vortigern said:
Hire/buy a generator???

Do your neighbours like you?
If you do this, they won't. Especially if you buy one of those cheap, open frame jobbies from a DIY shed.

telectrix · Mar 9, 2019

TonyMitchell said:
Do your neighbours like you?
If you do this, they won't. Especially if you buy one of those cheap, open frame jobbies from a DIY shed.

true, but the bonus is it may drown the sounds of the neighbour's squealing bratts as they fart around in the garden. we had that for a year till the sods were repossessed, 4 screaming female under 11's with a trampoline. had to turn up Pink Floyd and AC/DC on the hi=fi to drown the buggers out.