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Easiest way to install water feature fountain electrics?
I want to know the easiest and safest way of installing the electrics for an outdoor water feature. I was thinking of drilling a hole through the wall and feeding the wire through the wall and plugging it into the socket inside my house, but i understand the circuit has to be protected by a rcd device?
Will it be ok to feed the wire through the wall to the inside and use an rcd plug into the socket then plug the fountain in via the rcd?
If not please explain the easiest way of installing the fountain electrics because i am very stupid with DIY and don't understand much, so no complicated answers please.
Clearest answer will get best answer.
thanks
Will it be ok to feed the wire through the wall to the inside and use an rcd plug into the socket then plug the fountain in via the rcd?
If not please explain the easiest way of installing the fountain electrics because i am very stupid with DIY and don't understand much, so no complicated answers please.
Clearest answer will get best answer.
thanks
3 Answers
Had to look up the RCD! in the US we use GFCIs. (Ground Fault Circuit Interupter). Your theory would work and most likely be safe (with the RCD) but going through the wall with a cord is kind of frowned upon. If the cord gets damaged it could start a fire. I would try to find someone that could put an RCD outlet (socket) outside. They could (If they had to) tap into the socket that's inside by using the proper type of cable.
Don't just drill a hole in the wall as water/dust ingress will be dangerous.
It is actually illegal for you to do this yourself as this is a notifiable job under Part P of the building regulations. The local buildings authority must be notified before work commences. Sorry to be a saddo but it is very irresponsible for any qualified electrician to advise on this.
But just to give you an idea of what to expect, normally it will need to be run on its own circuit protected by an RCD or RCBO at the consumers unit. A cable calculation will be needed here as the wattage of the device and distances involved are unclear.
I would use an SWA cable and bury it about a meter deep or you could use a catenary wire and suspend the cable but planning permission may be required for this due to the minimum heights involved.
However, you could have an external RCD socket outlet with the relevant IP rating (IP54 minimum) spurred from your ring final circuit fitted, depending on cable type and power required, and plug into that, but it will still need testing and certifying and the garden is considered to be a special location by the wiring regs, and for good reason!
If you want some proper advice, and don't understand much, then please use an NICEIC registered electrician to do this job. Insist on an electrical installation certificate (signed) and a schedule of inspection and test results (signed) before work starts and watch the cowboys run away!
Your families safety is at risk here mate, don't mess about.
It is actually illegal for you to do this yourself as this is a notifiable job under Part P of the building regulations. The local buildings authority must be notified before work commences. Sorry to be a saddo but it is very irresponsible for any qualified electrician to advise on this.
But just to give you an idea of what to expect, normally it will need to be run on its own circuit protected by an RCD or RCBO at the consumers unit. A cable calculation will be needed here as the wattage of the device and distances involved are unclear.
I would use an SWA cable and bury it about a meter deep or you could use a catenary wire and suspend the cable but planning permission may be required for this due to the minimum heights involved.
However, you could have an external RCD socket outlet with the relevant IP rating (IP54 minimum) spurred from your ring final circuit fitted, depending on cable type and power required, and plug into that, but it will still need testing and certifying and the garden is considered to be a special location by the wiring regs, and for good reason!
If you want some proper advice, and don't understand much, then please use an NICEIC registered electrician to do this job. Insist on an electrical installation certificate (signed) and a schedule of inspection and test results (signed) before work starts and watch the cowboys run away!
Your families safety is at risk here mate, don't mess about.
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