Is the wiring in my shed legal?

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BlinkyBill

1443 posts

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#277076 24-Sep-2020 17:13

I bought a rural property which has a separate 3-bay shed, which is about three years old. There is a distribution board in the shed, and it looks like the wiring out from the board, to lights and power points, is power flex (i.e. as in a power cord flex) and not normal electrical wiring.

Is that actually legal? I’m thinking no, and I need to get the wiring replaced by an electrician.

SomeoneSomewhere

1802 posts

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#2573706 24-Sep-2020 19:36

If it is heavy duty flexible cable (construction site cords are) technically it is acceptable, assuming it's of an adequate size. The thin white stuff isn't.

Of more concern is whether it's exposed to physical damage and has adequate protection. If you can see the cable below head height, it's probably not.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2573707 24-Sep-2020 19:40

Also, nowhere should you be able to see or touch the coloured inner conductors, and depending on the situation any sockets should probably be protected by RCD. T

While it's legal to use heavy duty flex as permanent installation wiring, it's pretty uncommon.

Daynger

435 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2573715 24-Sep-2020 19:50

SomeoneSomewhere:

Also, nowhere should you be able to see or touch the coloured inner conductors, and depending on the situation any sockets should probably be protected by RCD. T

While it's legal to use heavy duty flex as permanent installation wiring, it's pretty uncommon.

I thought is was not legal to use flex as fixed wiring.

Wouldve cost the earth though if purchased as bare cable.

3.9.7.2 Says you are correct, heavy duty only.