Garage c/u question

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sat Jan 08, 2022 2:39 pm

Hi all,

I currently have a dedicated 20a mcb on my consumer unit in the house that goes to a switch on the inside of my house which then supplies what looks like SWA 2.5mm t & e and that goes to my garage underground and then terminates in the garage at a fused switch. I've checked the fused switch as this is fused only for a light in the garage and there is also another 2.5mm t & e cable which is connected on the live and neutral side which goes to a double socket. My question is can a small garage consumer unit be installed instead of having the metal fused switch and if so which one would be suitable seeing as I already have a 20a mcb with RCD protection from the domestic c/u. I was thinking of just a mains switch with a 6a mcb for lighting in garage and a 16a mcb for the socket. I would like to install another socket from the existing one if possible.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Jan 08, 2022 5:07 pm

Yes you can do as you suggest, the consumers unit would be your choice, but you want one without an RCD

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sat Jan 08, 2022 7:33 pm

Many thanks Someone - Else, I will do that then, will add another double socket too and leave it as a radial.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Sat Jan 08, 2022 10:29 pm

Why are you wasting money on a small fuseboard?

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 10:45 am

Neelix wrote: ↑Sat Jan 08, 2022 10:29 pm Why are you wasting money on a small fuseboard?

Because I already have a 2.5mm and two 1.5mm t & e in the metal fcu and I need another light switch at the other end of the garage so thought it would be best to upgrade due to the amount of cabling.

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:37 am

Neelix wrote: ↑Sat Jan 08, 2022 10:29 pm Why are you wasting money on a small fuseboard?

I suppose I could just use an IP55/65 junction box instead to reduce costs ?

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 1:03 pm

Sparky70 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:37 am
Neelix wrote: ↑Sat Jan 08, 2022 10:29 pm Why are you wasting money on a small fuseboard?
I suppose I could just use an IP55/65 junction box instead to reduce costs ?

I don’t understand why you think you need an enclosure at all

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:58 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 1:03 pm
Sparky70 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:37 am
Neelix wrote: ↑Sat Jan 08, 2022 10:29 pm Why are you wasting money on a small fuseboard?
I suppose I could just use an IP55/65 junction box instead to reduce costs ?
I don’t understand why you think you need an enclosure at all

I have a 2.5mm swa cable going into the garage and it terminates into a metal switch fcu, the light in the garage is connected to the the fused switch and the sockets are connected directly to the incoming side along with a 1.0mm cable on the incoming side to a fused switch 1amp for 2 led floodlights. so there's currently 3 x cables in this fused switch. What i'm trying to achieve is to have another light switch ( 2 way ) at the other end of the garage and another (2 way ) near the existing fused switch, I'll be installing to new led light battens and I want to have control at either end of the garage, I will also add another socket from the existing socket, do you have any recomendations to achieve this ? regards.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:07 pm

Sparky70 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:58 pm
I have a 2.5mm swa cable going into the garage and it terminates into a metal switch fcu, the light in the garage is connected to the the fused switch and the sockets are connected directly to the incoming side along with a 1.0mm cable on the incoming side to a fused switch 1amp for 2 led floodlights. so there's currently 3 x cables in this fused switch. What i'm trying to achieve is to have another light switch ( 2 way ) at the other end of the garage and another (2 way ) near the existing fused switch, I'll be installing to new led light battens and I want to have control at either end of the garage, I will also add another socket from the existing socket, do you have any recomendations to achieve this ? regards.

You’ve moved the goal posts a lot now …

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:45 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:07 pm
Sparky70 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:58 pm
I have a 2.5mm swa cable going into the garage and it terminates into a metal switch fcu, the light in the garage is connected to the the fused switch and the sockets are connected directly to the incoming side along with a 1.0mm cable on the incoming side to a fused switch 1amp for 2 led floodlights. so there's currently 3 x cables in this fused switch. What i'm trying to achieve is to have another light switch ( 2 way ) at the other end of the garage and another (2 way ) near the existing fused switch, I'll be installing to new led light battens and I want to have control at either end of the garage, I will also add another socket from the existing socket, do you have any recomendations to achieve this ? regards.
You’ve moved the goal posts a lot now …

Thanks

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Tue Jan 11, 2022 7:51 am

I would change the FCU to a double back box and LAP grid fuse and switch from Screwfix so I can fit a two way switch and also 2 fuses if I want with a little more room to work in.
Similar to as done here

: IMGP7387.jpg (101.88 KiB) Viewed 1438 times

to fuse and extend a spur.

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:34 pm

ericmark wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 7:51 am I would change the FCU to a double back box and LAP grid fuse and switch from Screwfix so I can fit a two way switch and also 2 fuses if I want with a little more room to work in.
Similar to as done here IMGP7387.jpg to fuse and extend a spur.

That's a good idea, many thanks Ericmark