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Overhead Power cable from my house to my barn

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hi All


Sorry to jump straight in with a question - 


I bought a house in Wales with a stone barn 23m away from the house. The barn takes power from the house from the consumer unit via a overhead cable (currently not fit for purpose) which runs a few lights and a couple of sockets in the barn. All of the land involved is owned solely by me.


I've re-roofed the barn so had an electrician safely remove the power beforehand but I need to run power back to the barn now.


My electrician is telling me that I must bury an armored cable 3 feet under ground from the house to the barn otherwise it's "illegal". It is only 23m away but it's downhill from the house and there is a big change in level of the ground. To achieve 3 feel would mean taking a digger to my driveway and front garden which is going to be expensive and time consuming. 


Bearing in mind it's only going to be used to run some LED lights and a couple of sockets for my workshop (I'd say 45 amps absolute max - and can't see why it would get up that high to be honest) is he right to say I must bury an armored cable or can I reinstall some kind of overhead cable but in a compliant way?


Many thanks in advance for any advice - happy to add any clarification if needed


thanks - Jon
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  • 0
    Agree that a new overhead cable might be simplest and cheapest, nothing prohibits this, subject to the usual caveats regarding electrical work in general.

    If burial is prefered, then in most circumstances this does not need to be 3 feet deep. Simply deep enough to avoid risk of damage.


    I would suggest use of cable at least one size larger than is needed at present, in case needs change. You might want to convert the barn into living space one day, subject to planning, or you might wish to charge an electric vehicle.
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  • 0
    Agree that a new overhead cable might be simplest and cheapest, nothing prohibits this, subject to the usual caveats regarding electrical work in general.

    If burial is prefered, then in most circumstances this does not need to be 3 feet deep. Simply deep enough to avoid risk of damage.


    I would suggest use of cable at least one size larger than is needed at present, in case needs change. You might want to convert the barn into living space one day, subject to planning, or you might wish to charge an electric vehicle.
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