How To Run Cable From House To Pond?

[codheadjohn]

I'm thinking about building a pond, but wondered what you have to do to run the power from the house to the pond.

From the house, there is a standard twin and earth wire coming out of the wall with a switch. This is for installing an outside light, but I'm hoping I could run down the wall with conduit to then go across to the pond. How would I do this? I assume it needs to be armoured cable and buried? What permits etc would I need to do this?

I want to do as much of it myself as is possible

 

[woody88]

Better off coming off the ring main (sockets) tbh mate. The reason I say this is because if you have type b circuit breakers or an rcd feeding the lights, if a bulb goes it will trip the lighting circuit.

Providing the sockets are on a 30mA rcd at the fuse board then wire/ install a fused switched spur with a 5 amp fuse. On the load side of the spur you cam either run through the wall into an adaptable box with a 1.5mm swa (armoured) to pump/s, lights etc or you can get an external 1,2,3 or 4 gang switch to run pumps/ lights/UV etc.

If you don't have rcd protection you can buy an rcd fused spur (power breaker).

You don't need an rcd but it protects you as well as your fish. Especially if you get a faulty pump.

Note: some pond pumps are double insulated ( no earth).

Oh by the way, I'm a spark! Lol

 

[codheadjohn]

Better off coming off the ring main (sockets) tbh mate. The reason I say this is because if you have type b circuit breakers or an rcd feeding the lights, if a bulb goes it will trip the lighting circuit.

Providing the sockets are on a 30mA rcd at the fuse board then wire/ install a fused switched spur with a 5 amp fuse. On the load side of the spur you cam either run through the wall into an adaptable box with a 1.5mm swa (armoured) to pump/s, lights etc or you can get an external 1,2,3 or 4 gang switch to run pumps/ lights/UV etc.

If you don't have rcd protection you can buy an rcd fused spur (power breaker).

You don't need an rcd but it protects you as well as your fish. Especially if you get a faulty pump.

Note: some pond pumps are double insulated ( no earth).

Oh by the way, I'm a spark! Lol

Thanks for the reply. I was intending on getting an rcd J-box if there is such a thing. I get what you mean about coming off the ring main, but I'm not sure how I can get that outside easily without putting holes in the plaster board.

I assume you have to use armoured cable and bury it to a certain depth to meet regulations? I'm kinda looking for the easiest solution, and would ideally like to keep it above ground, but don't really see how that's possible as it's going to the other end of the garden which is all grass atm

 

[woody88]

Have you got a socket on the inside of the outside wall onto your garden. If so just drill through the back of the box and through the wall. Fit a 6x4x4 adaptable box and you can squeeze a spur and patress inside. Then run an armoured either underground (12" depth with warning tape on top) or just cleat it up the Side of your garden. (isn't really gonna get damaged in a back garden)

Or you can use armoured flex which is easier to bend and make off and cheaper.

If you like, I could email you a diagram of how to do it and connect it up. Just pm me your email address and what wiu plan to run off the supply eg pumps, lights etc.

Also let me know if your fuseboard has RCD protection ( a large breaker with a test button) it will more than likely say 30mA on it.

 

[codheadjohn]

Have you got a socket on the inside of the outside wall onto your garden. If so just drill through the back of the box and through the wall. Fit a 6x4x4 adaptable box and you can squeeze a spur and patress inside. Then run an armoured either underground (12" depth with warning tape on top) or just cleat it up the Side of your garden. (isn't really gonna get damaged in a back garden)

Or you can use armoured flex which is easier to bend and make off and cheaper.

If you like, I could email you a diagram of how to do it and connect it up. Just pm me your email address and what wiu plan to run off the supply eg pumps, lights etc.

Also let me know if your fuseboard has RCD protection ( a large breaker with a test button) it will more than likely say 30mA on it.

Thanks a lot for the help. I think I'll be able to extend the socket ring from near the wall to get outside without going through the plaster. Will require a big stick! lol

Main problem is what to do in the garden side of things. Ideally I don't want to be digging up all of the garden, but was worried about clipping a cable along the fence as I have the posts on that side which would mean it protrudes and could get caught. Also it's all grass atm, which with my rash mowing skills could end up making a mess of everything! haha

I've put a quick plan of the garden here: http/s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc363/codheadjohn/?action=view&current=garden.jpg

Only thing powered off it is going to be a pump, and it will be fine in that sense. It's a fairly large load breaker with a 30mA RCD (not at home atm to check exact values)