Help with workshop electrics

[pete-c]

Hi,

i'm wondering if there is any information available on how to feed a workshop with power and the easiest way to split beween each machine. Bandsaw/table saw/planer/pillar drill and hand tool sockets.

All my equipment will be single phase (240v) i need to know what type of trunking is required (metal/plastic)And if everything needs isolation boxes and can i install the hardware myself and just get the electrician to connect up later and give me a certificate for insurance.

I've tried doing a search on the net but you never can find what your looking for, well i can't anyway so i thought id ask here.

Any help appreciated.
pete.

 

[jasonB]

Here is a recenet thread that will get you started, and welcome to the forum

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/rcd-t41318.html

Jason

 

[Blister]

Hi,

i'm wondering if there is any information available on how to feed a workshop with power and the easiest way to split beween each machine. Bandsaw/table saw/planer/pillar drill and hand tool sockets.

All my equipment will be single phase (240v) i need to know what type of trunking is required (metal/plastic)And if everything needs isolation boxes and can i install the hardware myself and just get the electrician to connect up later and give me a certificate for insurance.

I've tried doing a search on the net but you never can find what your looking for, well i can't anyway so i thought id ask here.

Any help appreciated.
pete.

Just finished mine :lol:

click the link :wink:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/work ... 41072.html











Only kidding


Bob will be along soon tot help you

 

[9fingers]

I don't normally get involved with wiring questions as I don't profess to know the wiring regulations from front to back.

You need to ask yourself if any of your machines will need more than a 13amp plug (fuse) can supply.
Allowing for starting load, this means machines more than 1.5hp might blow a fuse on starting, machines more than 2.5hp WILL blow a 13 amp fuse.

Each larger machine will need a blue 16 or 32 amp commando socket/plug individually wired back to the CU.

The rest can be powered from a 13amp ring main wired just like in a house with a 30 amp breaker.
Lighting for a home workshop can normally be fed from a single 6amp MCB.

You will possibly be best advised to have and RCD protecting the machines and sockets.

You should consider the possibility of have the light NOT fed from the RCD so that if you trip the RCD, the workshop is not plunged into darkness. To my mind this is more dangerous than any slight risk of not having RCD protection on the lights. You now buy individual MCB/RCDs so the lights could go on one of those.

Once you have thought about these issues and your specific needs, call in a spark who can advise on these and the relevant regulations. Hopefully he will be willing to let you fit everything and he will test and do the final connections and give the formal approval.

If you are bringing in the power from the house, you can save a lot by digging the trench and laying in the SWA cable just leaving the spark to do the terminations.

hth

Bob