Thread: Power to the shed

The breaker is sized to the cable, and the cable is sized to the load. If it's a 16A breaker I'm guessing it's 2.5mm2 cable, which will probably be fine for the loads you're talking about, so I'd expect the sparky would be fine with it. He won't change the breaker if it is the correct size for the cable - there'd be no benefit changing it to a lower current breaker. He may, however, change it to a RCBO which is a combined safety switch and breaker if it's not one already (or has an existing RCD protecting it).

If it is 16A breaker I'd leave it and also get that attached to a 15A socket.
You can always safely run 10A or less gear on a 15A socket but not VV

Also, you will need more than just the one outlet. Ask him to install 2 or more double outlets at strategic positions in the shed so that you are not constantly plugging/unplugging your tools.

Depending on how legit your sparky is, they generally don't like relying on other peoples work without checking the existing wiring as at the end of the day its their name on it when they sign off the work. If they do decide to do this, generally its almost the same cost as installing a completely new circuit.

I'm pretty sure 10 amp sockets require 20 amp breakers these days, but a sparky friend of mine says not everyone sticks to this rule as its not enforced by law yet.

Also if your shed is not connected to your house, inform them that you'll help/do the manual labour and you'll save a few bucks that way.

The cable and breaker that are there will be fine. The electrician must change the breaker to a safety switch type (if it's not already) as they are mandatory for all new or altered installations. He will check the condition of the existing cable before confirming that it can be used but you will save quite a bit by re-purposing the existing cable. As Bob suggested, you can either have a single 15A socket installed or several 10A sockets. If you don't have any 15A gear it might be good to have dedicated outlets for the machinery and a double GPO for hand tools.
The circuit breaker has nothing to do with the outlets, it is there to protect the cable. The cable is sized to carry the expected maximum current draw of the circuit taking the length of the cable and how it is installed into account.
Yes I'm a sparky and to be honest I'm happy to use anything that makes my job easier and my day shorter. Ask your electrician what he is happy for you to do. He can only say no thanks.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

The cable and breaker that are there will be fine. The electrician must change the breaker to a safety switch type (if it's not already) as they are mandatory for all new or altered installations. He will check the condition of the existing cable before confirming that it can be used but you will save quite a bit by re-purposing the existing cable. As Bob suggested, you can either have a single 15A socket installed or several 10A sockets. If you don't have any 15A gear it might be good to have dedicated outlets for the machinery and a double GPO for hand tools.
The circuit breaker has nothing to do with the outlets, it is there to protect the cable. The cable is sized to carry the expected maximum current draw of the circuit taking the length of the cable and how it is installed into account.
Yes I'm a sparky and to be honest I'm happy to use anything that makes my job easier and my day shorter. Ask your electrician what he is happy for you to do. He can only say no thanks.

Correct me if I am wrong, but there is no limit on the size/type of sockets under that latest AS? I have been off the tools for a while now but am just about to wire my shed. Looking at the latest version of AS3000 and I cant see anything restricting sockets per circuit for a single domestic installation. Obviously if I put a 20amp breaker on a circuit and I run several 15A machines on that circuit I am not going to get far.

No they did away with the number of sockets per circuit some time ago. You are required to do a calculation based on the total anticipated wattage of the circuit.
It is just putting all the responsibility back on the sparky. It's up to you to determine what is a safe loading for the circuit.
To be honest, it's a while since I've even opened AS3000. Mine is probably not the latest version so it may have changed again for all I know. I have been off the tools for a while as well.
Yes yes, apart from back yarders for you lot around Sydney.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

I have been off the tools for a while as well.
Yes yes, apart from back yarders for you lot around Sydney.

brava

Originally Posted by NCArcher

No they did away with the number of sockets per circuit some time ago. You are required to do a calculation based on the total anticipated wattage of the circuit.
It is just putting all the responsibility back on the sparky. It's up to you to determine what is a safe loading for the circuit.
To be honest, it's a while since I've even opened AS3000. Mine is probably not the latest version so it may have changed again for all I know. I have been off the tools for a while as well.
Yes yes, apart from back yarders for you lot around Sydney.

I am probably worse than most though, I did my trade and I think 2 years on the tools (if that), then moved into the office. That was 20 years ago.

LOL, that is a long time off the tools.
Sorry for the sparky re-union MFU