Supply to garden office

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Paulg31

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Hello,

I'm in the process of planning a small garden office build. I'll build the office but pay an electrician to install the electrics. However I just want to understand the potential extent of electrical works required.

I currently have a BG dual rcd board (I know BG isn't great but it as installed before I moved in). The board has spare MCBs. I understand it is better than have have the rcd protection for an outbuilding in the outbuilding rather than at the point of supply and that the supply cable doesn't need to be rcd protected? (I think it'll be a buried SWA cable size TBC by electrician). If so it is possible feed an outgoing supply non rcd protected from a dual rcd board? Or would a separate board be required for the garden office feed?

Thanks in advance!
Paul
 
Your better bet is for your electrician to fit Henley blocks between meter and CU, fit a freestanding MCB to protect the cable then have the office RCD etc in the office. Saves having to run back to the house when the lights go off....
 
I’ve seen BG boards adapted where you can have a Non RCD MCB next to the Main Switch , then you get the RCD / MCB’s / RCD / MCB’s etc etc , if you’ve got a spare way , your Electrician may be able to move things over one position so to speak ?
Phil
 
I think the larger BG boards such as 6+6 splits come with a third neutral bar, so it may be possible.

I’d rather come from an existing board over installing Henley’s etc for a supply of this nature.
 
We're replacng 2 CU's in flats tomorrow and purchased 3+3 boards for each. They contain 3 N bars: for non 3W RCD, 4W for RCD1 & 6W for RCD2.
These have a total of 13W for a 6W board but the image on TLC website shows different sizes combinations the N wiring to RCDs is now looped directly from main switch and not from non RCD bar.
BGDP16606AC.JPG

Can just be seen here:
upload_2020-10-1_1-6-20.png
 
SUNRAY said:
We're replacng 2 CU's in flats tomorrow and purchased 3+3 boards for each. They contain 3 N bars: for non 3W RCD, 4W for RCD1 & 6W for RCD2.
These have a total of 13W for a 6W board but the image on TLC website shows different sizes combinations the N wiring to RCDs is now looped directly from main switch and not from non RCD bar.
Click to expand...
So 2 identical boards fitted except one had neutral bars as above and the other had 5W, 6W & 3W left to right
BGDP16606AC.JPG
 
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From my experience, I can say that for any outbuildings, you better pick a high-integrity board. I think it's crucial for anyone who builds anything in their gardens.
I've tried many things, but only a high-integrity board worked in the end. It was recommended by the electrician I hired when I decided to build a small bar in my garden. Where I live, garden rooms are popular because of the chilly weather. So, we have some specialists that can suggest you something good.
I used to struggle with the power supply there, but high integrity board solved all my problems. Hopefully, this was helpful.
 
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sahanaj said:
From my experience, I can say that for any outbuildings, you better pick a high-integrity board. I think it's crucial for anyone who builds anything in their gardens.
Click to expand...
As this topic is more than two years old, it is hoped that it is a little too late for any further advice.
 
winston1 said:
Except that a foot or body through the ceiling is a lot more serious than a walk back to the house.
Click to expand...
Not if the house RCD has tripped and that means the garden lights don’t work. In the darkness you fall in the hole that you dug for the new monkey puzzle tree.
 
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