Hi,
when we planned the electrical system, we included a 5-core underground cable as a reserve for the garden. It is intended for future garden lighting and power supply. The cable comes out roughly in the middle of the property, under the terrace.
I’m not looking for advice on how to properly connect the cable—that will be done by professionals.
But for my further garden planning, I have the following questions:
when we planned the electrical system, we included a 5-core underground cable as a reserve for the garden. It is intended for future garden lighting and power supply. The cable comes out roughly in the middle of the property, under the terrace.
I’m not looking for advice on how to properly connect the cable—that will be done by professionals.
But for my further garden planning, I have the following questions:
- Can I split this cable into two independent circuits? There is a simple switch inside that is already planned for this purpose. It could later be replaced with a double switch to control each circuit separately.
- Can I then run one circuit to the left side of the garden and the other to the right side? What happens to the green/yellow PE (protective earth) conductor in this case?
Please keep in mind... The current flowing through a conductor also returns via the neutral conductor. If you create 3 circuits each rated at 16A, in the worst-case scenario, 48A would flow through the neutral conductor. This is not advisable. Setting thermal load aside for a moment, I would either install 2 circuits at 16A each (1st circuit Brown+Blue, 2nd circuit Black+Gray) or 3 circuits at 6A each (1st circuit Brown+Blue, 2nd circuit Black+Blue, 3rd circuit Gray+Blue).
Yes, a junction sleeve for the grounding conductor. If you want to split it, you will need additional cables, preferably also the black grounding cables.
Joedreck schrieb:Well, if he doesn’t have a good connection with an electrician, the fiddling around can easily cost over 150. I wouldn’t consider it worth it, but everyone has to decide for themselves. Besides, no one really pays attention to cable lengths unless you have a 2000 m² (21,528 ft²) property and want to run the cable all the way to the far end. What exactly is going to be connected? Just a few lamps?
And since you clearly have very little knowledge, you should really leave it to a professional. There are cable lengths and other factors to consider. Otherwise, it can actually be deadly.
My goodness, you write faster than I can quote
Not on how to connect the cable, no. Just if I can split it in the garden.
Protective earth and protective earth?
As I wrote, the switch for this underground cable is not connected in the electrical panel yet. I can’t measure anything there.
Good idea, true.
Then I can just lay out the 3-core cables to the left and right now, and the electrician can connect them later at the distribution box.
Absolutely. Like I said, I just want to lay the cables in the garden at the right spots because the topsoil is coming this week.
Great, thanks for the tips.
I’m not sure yet if I’ll make 3 circuits.
Cable length will be a maximum of 100 m (330 feet) per circuit for me.
Actually, just lights or maybe a decorative fountain pump will be connected.
nordanney schrieb:
Do you want tips now or not?
Not on how to connect the cable, no. Just if I can split it in the garden.
nordanney schrieb:
Yes, you can. You need to measure which conductor is which.
Typically, brown, black, and gray are the three phases, blue is the neutral conductor, and yellow/green is the protective earth conductor. So for each circuit use one phase, the protective earth and the protective earth.
Protective earth and protective earth?
As I wrote, the switch for this underground cable is not connected in the electrical panel yet. I can’t measure anything there.
Joedreck schrieb:
Before splitting it further, you can install a distribution box and then continue with 3-core underground cables each time.
Good idea, true.
Then I can just lay out the 3-core cables to the left and right now, and the electrician can connect them later at the distribution box.
Joedreck schrieb:
And since you have very little experience, really let a professional handle it. There are cable lengths and other things to consider. Otherwise, it can be deadly.
Absolutely. Like I said, I just want to lay the cables in the garden at the right spots because the topsoil is coming this week.
Dogma schrieb:
Please keep in mind… The current flowing into a conductor also returns via the neutral conductor. If you make 3 circuits of 16 A each, in the worst case 48 A would flow through the neutral conductor. That’s not good. Ignoring thermal load for a moment, I would either make 2 circuits of 16 A (1st circuit brown+blue, 2nd circuit black+gray) or 3 circuits of 6 A (1st circuit brown+blue, 2nd circuit black+blue, 3rd circuit gray+blue).
Great, thanks for the tips.
I’m not sure yet if I’ll make 3 circuits.
danixf schrieb:
Well, if he doesn’t have good contact with an electrician, the fiddling could easily cost 150+. Not worth it to me, but everyone has to decide for themselves. Besides, nobody cares about cable lengths unless you have a 2000 m² (about 0.5 acre) property and don’t want to run the cable all the way to the end.
What will be connected? Just a few lights?
Cable length will be a maximum of 100 m (330 feet) per circuit for me.
Actually, just lights or maybe a decorative fountain pump will be connected.
I also have a question about this...
We have laid a 5-core cable to the garden...
Would it be possible to connect 1 continuously powered circuit (for sockets and lighting in the garden house) and 2 separately switchable circuits (1 for lighting in the garden, 1 for the garden well)?
Of course, I would have everything wired by an electrician. This is just a preliminary question...
We have laid a 5-core cable to the garden...
Would it be possible to connect 1 continuously powered circuit (for sockets and lighting in the garden house) and 2 separately switchable circuits (1 for lighting in the garden, 1 for the garden well)?
Of course, I would have everything wired by an electrician. This is just a preliminary question...
laley schrieb:
The cable length for me is a maximum of 100m (330 feet) per circuit.
Actually, only lamps or sometimes a decorative fountain pump are supposed to be connected. Oh dear. I hereby revise my statement. 100m (330 feet) is actually quite a lot. I’m not usually strict about standards, but this exceeds the guidelines by well over 100%.
Golfi90 schrieb:
I have a question about that too...
We also ran a 5-core cable outside to the garden...
Would it be possible to use it for 1 constant power line (outlets and lighting in the garden shed) and 2 separately switchable lines (1 for garden lighting, 1 for the garden fountain)?
Of course, I would have everything wired by a certified electrician. This is just a preliminary question... Yes
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