Installation of a generator for a house.

broadgage:

Yes, there is a lot to be said for a larger shed or hut, divided into two sections with a fire resisting internal wall. One side for generator, one side for garden tools and jerry cans of diesel.

Dont protect the mains supply with an RCD, unless a TT supply makes this unavoidable. Fit a small consumer unit in the hut, with RCDs as needed.

Engine heater.

Battery charger.

Room lights in generator hut and in garden store.

A twin socket outlet in each half for power tools and garden equipment.

Another useful addition is a room light in the generator hut that is powered from the starter battery. Use a low wattage 12 or 24 volt bulb, controlled by a time lag switch to avoid waste. Use an original style pneumatic time lag switch, not an electronic one which wont work on ELV DC.

When burying the cables, consider burying a bare copper earth tape in the same trench, this will be dual purpose forming both an earth bond between house and hut, and also being bare will form a good earth electrode.




 

Hello Broadgage,


Crickey!! I used to think that you couldn't extend a PME system from a house, to an outbuilding but... I had that wrong, for years'! 


I was in CEF's, (in Lancashire), some weeks' ago I mentioned about the external earth rods... and the chap there said that there's a new way of doing this, if required. 


When you say 'don't the main supply, with an RCD' I take it you mean the supply from the generator?


Engine heater, well there's a thing! Hadn't thought of that, blimey!!


My son mostly uses RCBO's everywhere so, as he has lot's, I could nick them off of him BUT, these have inbuilt RCD's so... maybe this isn't a good idea??? Mmmm?


Again, lots of great information and I can only say thanks for taking the time to post them!!!!


Regards... Tom


 

broadgage:

Yes, there is a lot to be said for a larger shed or hut, divided into two sections with a fire resisting internal wall. One side for generator, one side for garden tools and jerry cans of diesel.

Dont protect the mains supply with an RCD, unless a TT supply makes this unavoidable. Fit a small consumer unit in the hut, with RCDs as needed.

Engine heater.

Battery charger.

Room lights in generator hut and in garden store.

A twin socket outlet in each half for power tools and garden equipment.

Another useful addition is a room light in the generator hut that is powered from the starter battery. Use a low wattage 12 or 24 volt bulb, controlled by a time lag switch to avoid waste. Use an original style pneumatic time lag switch, not an electronic one which wont work on ELV DC.

When burying the cables, consider burying a bare copper earth tape in the same trench, this will be dual purpose forming both an earth bond between house and hut, and also being bare will form a good earth electrode.




 

Hello Broadgage,


Crickey!! I used to think that you couldn't extend a PME system from a house, to an outbuilding but... I had that wrong, for years'! 


I was in CEF's, (in Lancashire), some weeks' ago I mentioned about the external earth rods... and the chap there said that there's a new way of doing this, if required. 


When you say 'don't the main supply, with an RCD' I take it you mean the supply from the generator?


Engine heater, well there's a thing! Hadn't thought of that, blimey!!


My son mostly uses RCBO's everywhere so, as he has lot's, I could nick them off of him BUT, these have inbuilt RCD's so... maybe this isn't a good idea??? Mmmm?


Again, lots of great information and I can only say thanks for taking the time to post them!!!!


Regards... Tom