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Electrical

What amp breaker

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.27 PM

I'm looking to run power from my consumer unit out to my shed. The consumer unit is a hager and I was wondering what size breaker to get for the main consumer unit? All that will be in the shed is a couple of double sockets and a light. To run a couple of fridges. I've noticed the breakers for my sockets in the house are 32amps. And the lights are 6. The power will be running to the shed via 6mm 3 core armoured cable. What size breaker would people recommend. Also just a side note I won't be carrying out the work myself and will be getting a fully qualified sparky in to do the actual work but I won't to shop around for the materials hence why I want to know what to look for. Any help would be appreciated thanks

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6 Answers

DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5
Grimsby
Wow, that's a huge oversized cable for 2 twin sockets and a light. As for the MCB size a 16 or 20 amp. Are you designing this job or are you letting the electrician design and install etc? Makes a difference as you have got an oversized cable and getting all the stuff. The money you would have saved on a proper sized armoured would have saved you a bit. No mention of an RCD to back all this up, which is a must we can only assume you have RCD's in the consumer unit. By the way, this job requires a registered electrician not just ' qualified ' as it requires Building Control Notification and you will require a certificate.
Answered30 March 2017
1

SPA ROOMS LTD

Rating: 5 out of 5
St Albans
It does depend on several factors. I would go for safety first and get a 32Amp MCB. Also you will need an 30mARCD so it is with buying that together. The 32A supply will do what is required unless you get a hot tub
Answered30 March 2017
0

Anonymous user

To be fair both answers are correct, it all depends on if you may add more load to the circuit at a later date, you don't want to be having to rewire it at a later date. My advice would be to have the electrician you will use come and design the installation for you after discussing your needs and any potential future additions.
Answered31 March 2017
0

AAL Electrical LTD

Rating: 5 out of 5
Leigh On Sea
In all fairness the cable size will depend on the length of the run, whether it's buried under ground or clipped direct or what ever installation method is used and the loading and then making sure voltdrop complies. A decent spark should be able to design this pretty easily, they would also be able to get materials cheaper than you also so let them supply the gear.
Answered31 March 2017
0

DTR Electrical

Rating: 5 out of 5
Ruislip
If you are insistent on getting your own material, perhaps you should find an electrician who you will employ to do the work and they will tell you exactly what you need. The SWA cable needs to be permanently fixed to something like a brick wall (not a wooden fence) or buried properly underground as per the regulations.
Answered31 March 2017
0

Excelsior Engineering

Rating: 5 out of 5
Merthyr Tydfil
Don't listen to Deacon mate. You don't HAVE TO use a registered electrician at all. Only registered electricians think that. As long as you use a qualified spark you'll be fine, although he will have to contact the local authority with regards to part p.
Answered1 April 2017
0