Having been asked to fit a new weatherproof external socket to a domestic property, it's not feasible to fit the easy way, back-to-back, but perfectly possible and, I would expect, acceptable to fit it at the end of a 2m horizontal length of PVC conduit. HOWEVER, the client would also like a new internal socket back-to-back from this position. Is it considered acceptable to extend the ring circuit through the conduit to this new location - OK, I'd upgrade to galv steel - whilst keeping the external socket as a fused spur? Location is adjacent to the path from gate to front door. All other requirements (RCD etc) are satisactory.
was really whether part of an 'indoors' circuit i.e. the cables of the ring extended to serve a new internal socket, could be run 'outdoors' in conduit on the face of the external wall
Basically the regs don't offer any opinion - there's generally no difference in requirements for wiring run indoors or outdoors (just the same general requirement that it be suitable for its environment).
David's comment about fault conditions relates, I presume, to possible loss of neutral on TN-C-S
Broken PENs is certainly one (even the main) concern, but there are also risks from other faults - e.g. normal L-PE faults that can take up to 5s to clear - or even longer if they occur on the DNO side.
I have slightly lower confidence in the ability of PVC conduit and saddles/clips to withstand probable impacts from users of the path.
There are several gauges of PVC conduit - heavy gauge is more expensive and less readily available but is a fair bit more robust than the light guage you usually find in most DIY sheds and the like.
Alternatively you could put sheathed cables in unearthed steel conduit - a common approach on the continent - and not against the regs if done properly ... although likely to raise an eyebrow (or even a howl or two) from traditional UK types.
was really whether part of an 'indoors' circuit i.e. the cables of the ring extended to serve a new internal socket, could be run 'outdoors' in conduit on the face of the external wall
Basically the regs don't offer any opinion - there's generally no difference in requirements for wiring run indoors or outdoors (just the same general requirement that it be suitable for its environment).
David's comment about fault conditions relates, I presume, to possible loss of neutral on TN-C-S
Broken PENs is certainly one (even the main) concern, but there are also risks from other faults - e.g. normal L-PE faults that can take up to 5s to clear - or even longer if they occur on the DNO side.
I have slightly lower confidence in the ability of PVC conduit and saddles/clips to withstand probable impacts from users of the path.
There are several gauges of PVC conduit - heavy gauge is more expensive and less readily available but is a fair bit more robust than the light guage you usually find in most DIY sheds and the like.
Alternatively you could put sheathed cables in unearthed steel conduit - a common approach on the continent - and not against the regs if done properly ... although likely to raise an eyebrow (or even a howl or two) from traditional UK types.
