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External RCD/sockets

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

From a house ring main can an external rcd socket be used as a fused spur to a small consumer unit in a garage less than 10m away using 2.5 buried protected cable?  (2 LED strip lights and 4 double sockets in the garage)

  • Steve Mc: 
    Chris, Water in blue polypipe no gas or oil in the garage.

    Thank you - that makes life simpler.

    I take it that's a no for RCD protection of the circuit. The consumer unit at “low level” sounds like under the sink or similar. Oh well, when you have the CU replaced, that will fix the RCD issue.

  • Generally, it is not a good plan.

    If you are planning to have a freezer in the garage it comes under the heading of completely daft, as may well end up losing your Christmas dinner and more.

  • Sparkingchip: 
     

    Generally, it is not a good plan.

    If you are planning to have a freezer in the garage it comes under the heading of completely daft, as may well end up losing your Christmas dinner and more.

    Who'd want to steal his Christmas dinner?

     

    Z.

  • Steve Mc: 
     

    That's why I am asking advice ebee.. and I thank you all. !! I  will want it all certifying eventually and with as little mods as poss. 

    I suggest that the work is done in full compliance with B.S. 7671 now to allow that in the future.

    Z.

  • A non-latching socket RCD would not keep the supply on after an outage, not all socket and SFCU RCD units are the same they are also known as passive and active.

    If there’s going to be a freezer in the garage having the whole circuit RCD protected at the consumer unit would generally indicate there’s a loss of supply outside as sockets would be off in the house as well.

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Thanks Sparking, so install an rcd between the external socket and the CU?

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Zoomup: 
     

    Steve Mc: 
     

    That's why I am asking advice ebee.. and I thank you all. !! I  will want it all certifying eventually and with as little mods as poss. 

    I suggest that the work is done in full compliance with B.S. 7671 now to allow that in the future.

    Z.

    Which part of BS 7671 covers connections to outbuildings please?

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    I found this document that looks pretty conclusive :) 

  • Sparkingchip: 
     

    A non-latching socket RCD would not keep the supply on after an outage, not all socket and SFCU RCD units are the same they are also known as passive and active.

    If there’s going to be a freezer in the garage having the whole circuit RCD protected at the consumer unit would generally indicate there’s a loss of supply outside as sockets would be off in the house as well.

    It is good then that some freezers and fridges have a loud audible alarm in they become too warm.

    Z.

  • The circuit should be protected at the consumer unit by a 30 mA RCD, no additional RCDs are required.