Electric supply to yard.

northdub14

Hi looking for a bit of advice, I have a yard that is 180 meters from my house and I need to get power into it , it's just to power a few lights and a security camera. I don't particularly want to get a new esb connection if I can avoid it. Would it be possible to run a underground armoured cable to it? Or is it to much of a distance, what size cable would I need if it is possible. Thanks in advance.

2011

It would be possible, yes.
The size of the cable will depend on the size of the load. So selecting energy efficient lights (such as LED) will mean that the cable size can be significantly reduced.

foxy farmer

northdub14 wrote: »

Hi looking for a bit of advice, I have a yard that is 180 meters from my house and I need to get power into it , it's just to power a few lights and a security camera. I don't particularly want to get a new esb connection if I can avoid it. Would it be possible to run a underground armoured cable to it? Or is it to much of a distance, what size cable would I need if it is possible. Thanks in advance.

If you can bury it all the way without too much hassle definitely the way to go. I ran a UG cable to a new pumphouse about 13yrs ago . Similar length to your situation. Tried to locate a mole plough to save digging a trench but failed. Ended up running a trench with my digger. Met some rock but not too bad.
Cable came wound on a drum. Ran shaft through the drum and lifted it with 2 straps off the ground. Tied the cable to the tractor and pulled out the cable to the pumphouse in one go. Worked back tben placing the cable in the trench by hand. Covered the cable and water pipe with sand. Then backfilled.
It was a 3x10mmsq SWA Cable. Armoured cable with 3 cores capable of carrying 40A+. You could use smaller but voltage drop and could become a problem. It also lets you run larger appliances in the future. Can't recall the price/m but a call to any wholesaler will sort that.

2011

foxy farmer wrote: »

It was a 3x10mmsq SWA Cable. Armoured cable with 3 cores capable of carrying 40A+.

For clarity: Although a cable this size can supply a 40A load this cable would be grossly undersized for a load of this size if the cable run was 180m.

foxy farmer

2011 wrote: »

For clarity: Although a cable this size can supply a 40A load this cable would be grossly undersized for a load of this size if the cable run was 180m.

True.

Tuco88

Was the 3 x 10mm^2 swa cable a 3 x 2.5mm^2 at the other end from the tractor pulling? Had a good laugh one time a company specialising in this using winches to get in 240s via a duct. 5 metes of 50s at lunchtime 😅

northdub14

Thanks for the replies. I phoned a electrical supply place today and they recommended to use 3x6sq swa. I will only be using it for about 4 lights, which will be led and a security camera.

Risteard81

northdub14 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.  I phoned a electrical supply place today and they recommended to use 3x6sq swa. I will only be using it for about 4 lights, which will be led and a security camera.

This needs to be properly designed and not just made up on a whim. Your Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) will calculate and select the appropriate cable for you and acquire it. Anything else is a complete nonsense.

2011

Risteard81 wrote: »

This needs to be properly designed and not just made up on a whim.

Agree 100%

180 m of 3 x 6 sq. cable will cost a lot. I would insist on seeing how this size was calculated before forking out any money. To calculate this cable size it is necessary to know the following:

1) The design current. In this case this starts with selecting the lights themselves.

2) The rating and type of protective device (fuse / MCB).

3) The volt drop to the point that this cable will be fed from.
(An assumed conservative value may be used in which case I as the end user would like to know what it is).

4) The earth fault loop impedance to the point that this cable will be fed from. (An assumed conservative value may be used in which case I as the end user would like to know what it is).

5) The length and types of cables from the end of the 3 x 6 sq. to the lights (I seriously doubt that a 3 x 6 sq. will be terminated into the light fittings).

6) What allowance is there for future additions ?

7) Method of installation and any ambient conditions that could impact on the current carrying capacity of the cable.

ptogher14

6sq probably is a bit small for a 180mt run. The problem is once you have power down there you'll find other uses.

Even with a drawn of ten amps you could see a volt drop of 12volts.