Garage Earthing

MickLimk

Have run out 10sq. SWA out to the garage for sockets & lighting. Connected to the board internally via a dedicated 32A MCB and to a single row board in the garage.

The board in the garage has a 6A for lighting and a 20A for sockets (4 double metal-clad). Obviously there's an RCD on the board for the sockets too.

My question is regarding the earthing - Is there a limit on maximum distance from an earth rod? My garage is <25M from the house but just wondering if there's any need/benefit in driving a separate earth rod out there?

RoundyMooney

I probably would, but I'm not well up on the regs to know whether it's essential or not.

I'd be inclined to think it isn't myself.

Access

No need, i have a supply running to the shed (35 mtr away) and just reeled out a separate heavy duty earth line with the rest of the cables back to the house trip board from the shed trip board.

Was advised by a neighbour who works for esb to connect the earth back to the house trip board regardless of distance as it would be safer.

Hope that helps

RoundyMooney

Oh, the earths would be connected together of course.

Stoner

if its a 3 x 10 sq SWA, then the earth is a 10 sq cable, so its fine as the earth is the some size as the live cable, so it can carry the same current as the live.

So if the earth matches the live and neutral, and you have a good connection back at your board to the earth rod, then you should be fine.

davelerave

its not standard practice to put down a seperate rod a 10sq earth back to the met is the proper job

MickLimk

Thanks for all the replies. Guess I'm covered with what I have already!