Wiring to a garage Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[kanu422]

We have recently moved into a new build house, the gagrage which is detached from the house was supposed to have electrics to it but had been forgotten by the builders. They have now wired it up for us by taking a spur from a socket in the house to the gagare which has then got a double socket then wired up to the light switch which is fused to the lighting.
My partner believes they should have put in a consumer unit before wiring to the sockets and lighting because it has not gone through the consumer unit in the house.
Please could someone tell us who is correct as this is causing a lot of aggro between parties. Should we atand our ground and insist on a consumer unit in the garage? Also should the installation be certificated as it is an addition to the original wiring?
Thanks

[ericmark]

You say a spur from a socket this would need fusing. Although if wired in 4mm² from the ring main it would not cause danger this method has not been included in the options given in BS7671:2008 if you go to http://www.theiet.org/publishing/wiring ... /index.cfm it just happens the bit about what can be done with ring mains was updated and on last page there is a very handy diagram with all the options.
Paperwork wise all electrical work will have paperwork either minor works or an installation certificate both which will contain the reading given when completed. Also I would say this also comes under Part P so there should be a completion certificate also. It will not be an alteration but a new piece of paperwork. To alter paper work would raise suspicions if you come to re-sell must be new.
As to consumer unit in garage no not really required with a switched fused spur to supply lights that is all that is really required.
Had the supply only been to the single double socket or to just the lights then what he has done would have most likely been OK but since he has both then a spur is not good enough it should be fused.
I have seen many a builder change or finish things after the electrician has left site and seen many a job which the electrician would not have done. I would be more concerned on the cable run to the garage is it with suitable cable under ground I would expect steel wire armoured and above ground it will be black if exposed to sun light and protected from damage.
Do remember we can only comment on what you say and without seeing a job it is easy to make a mistake.
Eric

[sparx]

Hi, several issues here:

As the ground floor sockets must be RCD protected there is no reason to run supply from consumer unit, it is not uncommon to loop out of a local socket and run either overhead or underground in armoured cable to a socket in garage.

Also to use a switched/fused connection unit with say a 3 Amp fuse to supply a light from the socket supply is quite often done.

It would be preferable in such cases to have a Fused Connection Unit, (previously known as a fused spur) in the house between the socket used to spur from & the outgoing cable, to limit the total load on the spur to 13A max.

ALL work MUST be covered by a certificate, in this case either a Minor Works Cert. or an Electrical Installation Cert. Outside work is also covered by L.A.Building regs. so must have been done by a registered Competant electrician and you should receive a notification card to say it has been so registered!

Do not be fobbed off on this point since it could affect your ability to sell later, all certs for all services eg electrical and gas & any hand over manuals should be kept safe- you never know when you may need them!

regards SPARX

[sparx]

Hi Eric we must have both been typing at the same time, nice we agree though!
B.W. Sparx

[kanu422]

Thanks for your responses, we hope to get this resolved tomorrow.