wiring a conservatory Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[jonnyw]

Ive had two electricians round today to price for electrics in my conservatory. 1 of them has told me I need a separate unit installing and the other has told me he will extend the ring main from upstairs.

Can someone tell me which way is right or if they are both right, dont want to invalidate my insurance or future sale of house.

Thanks

[kbrownie]

hi jonnyw,
either way, but which one is best for appliction? remember if the upstairs ring final has a fault on it the power to the conservatory will also fail.
an additional unit will be more expensive.

The addition of any circiut or extending of circuit will require inspecting and testing which you should get a cert. for.
In july the regulations change and the installation of RCDs is one of the main new requirements any work prior to that is okay.
I hope this was helpfull
KB

[BLAKEY1963]

[quote="jonnyw"]Ive had two electricians round today to price for electrics in my conservatory. 1 of them has told me I need a separate unit installing and the other has told me he will extend the ring main from upstairs.

Can someone tell me which way is right or if they are both right, dont want to invalidate my insurance or future sale of house.

Thanks[/quote]

jonnyw
If the ring main was extended to accomadate the conservatory
electrics , then all calculations for BS7671 ring main circuits must
be within stated requirements

In some cases with lengths of ring main, when not exceeded it is
possible to add on and not exceed voltage drop for the circuit,
keep within stated earth loop impeadances , and still achieve
discconections times for protective devices .
Personally i would for numerous reasons put the conservatory
supply on a new circuit , and to eliminate disruption of other
circuits.
with the 17th edition from july 1st coming in , then RCD
requirements could be studied and complied with if required
and mains boards could be upgraded.

BLAKEY1963

[sparx]

Hi JonnyW,
If load in conservatory not likely to be very high, ie just for radio, table lamp, SMALL heater etc. then my favourite compromise on cost/disruption/safety is to take a spur from an existing ring, either up or down stairs, (up should have less load) & feed via an RCD fused spur unit.

This will give overload protection by its 13a fuse plus earth fault protection,
& regs will allow you to run several outlets from it as total load can only be 13A