Home DIY

As long as the extension lead is 'temporary' you can run a shed off a socket indoors. The sockets near to the garden should all be protected by RCD if the consumer unit has been installed in the last 20 years. If not then use a plug in RCD and plug your extension lead into that.

Temporary means you can't fix the extension lead to anything like a wall or fence or bury it in the ground.

There is a handy loophole where you can connect an IP66 exterior socket on the outside of a wall if it's directly connected to a socket inside. i.e. no exterior wiring. So if you have a socket on the inside of an exterior wall you can drill through the back of the back box, pass the correct size wire through and mount an exterior socket. That should be RCD protected but this can be done with an RCBO in the consumer unit by a competent installer if your installation is so old that you don't have an RCD.

There is a handy loophole where you can connect an IP66 exterior socket on the outside of a wall if it's directly connected to a socket inside. i.e. no exterior wiring. So if you have a socket on the inside of an exterior wall you can drill through the back of the back box, pass the correct size wire through and mount an exterior socket. That should be RCD protected but this can be done with an RCBO in the consumer unit by a competent installer.

That's exactly the set up I have, thankfully. The exterior socket was fitted by the electrician when we got our main CU replaced and the wire comes straight out of the wall into the back of it. When I swapped the socket for an RCD one (again, at the advice of a grown up), I didn't have to touch the back box or any of the wiring coming out of the wall. Same brand socket so was just a straight swap like an internal socket. Nobody really needs to know I did that.

I think the only legitimate DIY option is solar panels, batteries and an inverter. I'd probably use an RCD protected extension and unplug when not in use.

And make your own garage doors?

One the one hand you can never have to many RCD's, on the other there can be an issue when you have more than one RCD that you don't know which one will operate. During the course I took the teacher was quite keen on only having one RCD in each circuit.

These days the regs all point to RCBO's or AFDD/RCD combined per circuit in the consumer unit. It's now unlikely that anyone will have combined circuits in a single RCD because the combined earth leakage would be too high.

AFDD - Arc Fault Detection Device

And make your own garage doors?

I'm wondering about making my own shed. But I'll probably just buy something and it's not going to have power 'cause I'm fortunate enough to live in a large enough house that I can escape my family without going down the bottom of the garden.

on the other there can be an issue when you have more than one RCD that you don't know which one will operate

I do remember you saying this but then it was a spark who was actually in my house so I'd rather blame someone who has been here rather than someone on the internet (not that I don't trust you, you've been a very helpful source of information). Also, all three times I've hired floor sanders (from two different places), they insist on also providing an RCD plug adapter without specifying it's only needed if your own house circuit is not already protected. That logic to me says "better safe than sorry", or "you'd rather have it an not need it, that need it and not have it", if that makes sense.

they insist on also providing an RCD plug adapter

Presumably it is tested on some sort of schedule? Aren't you supposed to test your RCD every 6 months? Hands up all the people that do that.

Do they actually fail often?

Unrelated to electric sheds, but I have a question about zinnser 123.

Looks like a people on this forum have used it, so seems a good place to ask.

Been stripping some woodchip, then sanding ready for painting.

In a few places the wall has been… I dunno PVA’d? But the paste is much more stubborn there.

I’ve sanded it smooth, but there’s still some paste residue.

I believe i can just cover this all with zinnser and it’ll be fine, right?

The worst that can happen is I need to touch it up down the line.

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Yes

I really like that texture / pattern.

Probably not what you’re going for, mind…

Thanks!

Hah, yeah it’s a bit like that faux vintaging thing they do sometimes. Definitely not what I’m going for though!

Gardz from Zinsser is a very watery primer for walls that would be a lot cheaper and easier to apply to a large area. 123 is great fro woodwork. Double check the spec with Gardz but it's what I use to prime new filler so that it doesn't 'grin' through emulsion.

I've had a few that don't operate within spec the first time you test them (using an rcd tester at a socket). They can become a bit sticky which is why you're supposed to press the little button every 6 months and then switch it back on. That button might say test but it's not testing the response time just the circuit breaking.

I looked into it when I got my shed but decided it wasn't worth the cost/ amount of water collected, given it was one of their smaller sheds. https://www.freeflush.co.uk/products/halls-clip-on-shed-guttering-kit

I wish I could remember why the teacher had such a hard on about it. 'RCD Contention' is the term I think.

I can't see a problem with it especially if it's you operating it since you know where all the RCD's are and would check to see which one operated.

I can't see a problem with it especially if it's you operating it since you know where all the RCD's are and would check to see which one operated.

Yeah, I'm less concerned about working out which one went than any of them not going at all. Especially now our main CU is properly labelled and not "car port" and "east car park" (we have neither of those things).

I looked at the same one, but I don't think it'll fit on the shed I have coming. Will see what springs to mind once I've built it.

Just after a second opinion ;

Adding another layer of insulation to my loft. As a result it will sit on top of all the wiring in the loft.

Had an electrician round to sort some other bits and asked if I needed to put the wiring on top of the insulation rather than under and he said it was fine under and the cables are rated to not over heat under insulation (mainly lighting wires plus 1 wire for electric shower). Sound about right?

Putting the wiring over the top of new insulation isnt an option without re-wiring everything in loft.

ah, maybe there is another one out there that I looked at, definitely saw a picture of an asgard shed with some sort of clip on guttering, will try and dig it out.

edit (hall's clip guttering): https://www.asgardsss.co.uk/blog/post/in-a-tiny-gardens-allotment-storage?fbclid=IwAR3N3eZZusnzMQWYVfMK2luaoR9NhzB6hUeeiyA9wPaU6JiJASugJ7OkMzU

wether it would work on the 3-bike shed Im unsure..

There are different ratings for cable under insulation but it's unlikely your cable was anyway close to that. Most installations fall well within the limits for insulated as they are hidden in the walls so there has to an allowance built in.

GF just walked past our new house on the next road over and the current owners removals van is outside. we get the keys next thurs.

Apologising in advance for how many questions are about to hit this thread because I have like 6 DIY projects to kick off immediately.

I'd like to put a gutter on it for a water butt - but without drilling holes.

What is the issue with drilling holes?

What about using this sort of thing?

Or bolts and rubber washers with a bit of black silicone to help seal the holes.

I think everyone get a shot at monopolising the thread, i’m on the downslope of the advice needed bell curve, as long as you pay it back with what you yourself learn in the process then you are adding to the collective memory...

Happy to teach you all the swear words I learnt getting rid of woodchip!

Tricky thing is the socket is on the party wall - not the rear wall which is actually window frame - it's a 60's crosswall.

How does this sound... 4 gang extension lead in shed > out of shed (via hole) > into outside socket (with rcd) > though windowframe>into conduit along wall>wall mounted switched spur box>out back of this into back of mains Double socket.

Then I can switch the power off from inside the house on a daily basis or completely disconnect at the outside socket for longer periods ?

As for running the lead in the virgin media conduit - surely if we know its there - damage is very unlikely - i appreciate its against regs.

oh and thanks to you and all esp. @stevo_com - for the advice ;-)