I'm getting a new path and patio laid and was going to get my builders to lay a plastic pipe under it all so I can eventually have electric for lighting a freezer and work bench, points in my new shed that I'm getting built soon, at the back of the garden. I want to know, can I use standard plastic plumbing pipes laid under the new pathways and what cable (volts size etc) should I get to run through this, that will be then capped off at each end, until the new shed is built? I could put a line of string to run through this new pipe, so the electrician can pull through a cable but I was hoping to do as much of the basics now. The new cable will eventually come through the house and be fitted to my fuse box.
Update*** Sorry, I'm confused with some of the replies I'm getting. Do I not have to lay plastic piping down for the cable to run through or, does the cable just go straight into the ground. I thought it had to go into plastic piping to protect it?Also, I was hoping to maybe lay the cable (in the plastic piping) now and get it connected up when my new shed is built. Do I just go to the DIY store and ask for 25 meters of 10mm 3core SWA?
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Armoured cable you need, and it doesn’t have to be in containment.
My edit... size of cable to be determined by length of run, expectant load, method of install. Best to get an electrician in to work it all out for you.
You will need armoured cable but if you did lay some ducting with a draw string then your electrician can pull through the most suitable size cable for the job. Bonus of having the duct is that you wouldn't have to dug up the cable if in years to come you decide you need an upgraded cable etc.
Duct or cable needs to be at a depth of 600mm. Ideally with some 'Caution - Electrical Cable' tape or mat on top. Use some proper twin-wall ducting. Suggest something like 50mm diameter.
Hi its quite difficult to pull armored cable so I suggest you get electrician to lay cable under patio before its laid. I would put 10mm 3core SWA that will give you plenty of options for shed. Espicall if you want to upgrade shed to outhouse.
Answered16 April 2021
0
Anonymous user
You don't need duct for protection. It is useful to use it as you first described. If you want to lay the patio now then, yes, you will have to put a duct in to allow cable to be installed afterwards. If you need to put bends in the duct don't use 90 deg use gentle bends else the cable may get stuck. Leave draw rope (not 'string' it needs to be strong) inside the duct so you can use it to pull the cable through. Alternatively, if you lay the cable first, you can just lay armoured cable (SWA) directly in the ground or just under the patio slabs. The slabs would protect the cable from being damaged from above. It is designed for that and doesn't need additional protection per se. SWA is expensive so putting in the correct size will save you wasting money. A shed won't need more than 16A supply so depending on the distance you could get away with a fairly small cable. Don't feel pushed in to buying 10mm2 that is much too big for a shed.
