I was concerned as to how my builder was connecting the electrical supply of the garden house. I asked his proposals for connection and he replied as follows. (My builder has answered my query regarding electrical supply to my Garden house as follows:-) "There is no Fuse Box, either in the house or Garden Room. What was planned are 'consumer units' or 'distribution boards'. The main cable is not too short as my intention was to have a 'Weather Proof Junction Box' on the outside wall of the house, then use a smaller diameter Non-Armoured Cable to pass through the house wall and directly into the house 'Consumer Unit' in the hall. So my question is, is he correct, can you have a waterproof junction box on the outside of my house, and the armoured cable running down the wall to the trench ? Thanks for any replies
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
The final position of the switches of consumer unit in the Garden House should be between 1350mm and 1450mm from the floor, giving access to people with limited mobility but also putting it out of the reach of smaller children. I would recommend extending the cable in the garden house to increase the final height of the board to this level.
The heights in my answer are not purely for new builds. They are for any consumer unit installation. I would certainly not be placing a consumer unit so close to the floor, garden room or not.
You can have a junction box on the outside of the house yes, but good practice is to minimise external connections to limit opportunity for degradation over time.
I can’t really fathom out here if you are asking questions, asking for advice, making a statement?
As I see it ( so far) why are you tinkering around with electrics? it’s a dangerous game if you are not qualified.
If there are kids using this structure, build a lockable cupboard over the consumer unit.
The answer you got from the other person is just nonsense, it applies to a new build house not a garden room.
My edit…, Stone Drive Electrical. Can you point out the relevant heights for these in outhouses/garden rooms etc in the building regulations, or indeed in the IET Electrical Regulations? It’s common sense that applies here.
Firstly, your builder is just being pedantic with terminology, whilst you will now have a consumer unit in the house I personally will still often refer to it as the fuse board because that is a term the lay person understands.
With regards the weatherproof box on the outside of the property, this can be done but it would always be preferable to bring the armoured cable into the property and connect it directly to the consumer unit.
Is your builder competent and qualified to complete the electrical work? Ask them which competent person scheme they are registered with. Ask what paperwork they will be issuing and how they intend to notify the work to building control. You should receive an electrical installation certificate with a schedule of test results and a circuit diagram. You should also receive a building control notification certificate within 30 days (usually by email)
Answered12 March 2022
1
Anonymous user
Seems to be pretty much common practice to me. Domestic twin & earth cable in the house then terminate into SWA cable via a weatherproof box, to supply the outbuilding.
