SWA, where and how to fix on an external wall?

[Chris Green]

So, I have somewhat changed my plan for feeding power to the new shed (well, it's a summer house really). As per previous questions I was going to run the power suspended from a catenary wire but that produces appearance/cosmetic issues at the destination so I've decided to bury it.

However the first several metres will run along the back of the (3 car) garage which results in a few questions:-

How low can it be? I want it to be as low as possible really. There's little risk of collision damage as there isn't even a path there for people, let alone any sort of vehicle.

How should one fix it? Is there any requirement for fixings to be fireproof?

Then on to terminations:-

Is it correct/normal to just put the (correct sized) glands in a hole in the side of the CU or is an intermediate junction box of some sort the normal way?

Finally as regards the buried bit:-

How does one start/finish? It can't stay 500mm deep all the way! :-) At one end it runs into a slope, can it just go horizonatlly until the required depth is reached? (OK, I guess this is down to what seems right to some extent but any guidance would be welcome)

[Andy Burns]

as low as you like

If it's low down, it's not likely to fall in anyone's way, not sure what the new regs say though

These look a bit overkill for domestic use

sometimes it's easier to end the armour on a separate box, and then feed the inner part into the CU, or even join to a separate T&E

[jrwalliker]

You could thread the part that enters the ground through some flexible plastic conduit to give a bit of extra protection when somebody decides to clear the weeds with a strimmer. This is just so that the plastic sheath of the SWA remains intact, protecting the armour wires from eventually rusting. John

[Steve Walker]

Yes. I ran T&E from the house CU, under the floor, before exiting through the wall, directly into the back of a junction box. From there SWA runs to the garage, passing in through the wall, before terminating in another JB, which is in turn connected to the garage fusebox with T&E running in conduit.

I'd not want the struggle of terminating SWA directly into the consumer unit or the large bend radius needed after passing into the garage before changing direction.

SteveW

[tabbypurr]

Can SWA be laid on the ground where there is no possibility of vehicles or walking, in a situation where neither burial nor suspension is satisfactory? I assume not.

You can get plastic coated metal P clips.

NT

[spuorgelgoog]

It can be, but is there a risk that it would get covered with debris and then cut into with a spade accidentally?

Owain

[tabbypurr]

No. Do the regs permit it after a risk assessment?

NT