Power to Garage (across road)

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by Diy-dave71, Sep 23, 2019.

  1. Diy-dave71

    Diy-dave71 New Member

    Hi,

    I am looking for suggestions/ideas as to the best way to supply power to my garage which situated to the front of my house and would need to span a footpath and a road.

    Options I am considering are,

    1, Power from the house by burying cable under the path/road.
    2, Power from the house by stringing cable at height then dropping down into the garage.
    3, Generator set up in the Garage.
    4, Some sort of solar panel arrangement.
    5, Wind turbine.

    I am looking to power domestic power tools, garden tools and some lighting, and the charging of cordless power tools.

    Option 1 and 2 I would clearly be needing the services of a qualified electrician but would like to know if they are a non starter before calling anyone out. Or any other solutions I may not have thought of?

    Thanks in advance for any insights.

    David
     
  2. FlyByNight

    FlyByNight Screwfix Select

    Public highway or a private road of some description?
     
  3. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    And the distance.
     
  4. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    Although, in theory, a private organisation/individual can run cables under the highway (Virgin do for example) the process and hoops you would need to jump through will make it totally unrealistic and hugely expensive. Running over it will also require a lot of forms and the height may be unrealistic. I fitted overhead cables between two industrial buildings across an A road, although I didn't do the paperwork it took over 6 months and they had to be set at a great height, they were also data and phone, not mains.

    A generator or PV system would provide power, but won't be ideal.

    Although likely costly I would get a price from the electricity board (DNO) to fit a supply to the garage
     
  5. ajohn

    ajohn Screwfix Select

    As they can dig in various places the DNO is very probably the best option.

    One thought that struck me when I saw under a road was companies that fit new water supplies. The process is referred to as moling. They dig a pit at each end and then link them with a "mole". Normally they would run water pipes through. One option could be with swa in it or swa on it's own. As this doesn't disturb the surface it might help an individual to get work like this done. The people who do it may also be aware of any complications if it involves running under a road.

    John
    -
     
    KIAB likes this.
  6. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    Moling is a good method, but the issue with stuff under the highway is it all has to be mapped, it's owner recorded, someone needs to be available to effect a disconnection if it is accidentally dug up - it's no easy feat.
    We put a cable in to supply a primary school, subbed off a secondary school, ran under a part of a council car park - boy what a hullaballoo, it took months to get all the permits in order and that was for two county owned buildings - heaven only knows what it would be like, or even possible for a private individual. We even had a chap come out from OS to map it's position.
     
  7. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    Of course if it's a private/unadopted road the picture is totally different, you only need the owners consent (in writing).
     
  8. Diy-dave71

    Diy-dave71 New Member

    Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply.

    The road is unadopted, but still a public highway. I am responsible for the part of the road immediately in front of me, which would take a direct line to my garage.

    I would need to traverse 3 ft of path, 12 ft of road and then I'm on my land with the garage set back another 10 ft from the road.

    Yes I was wondering about the potential for moling, with regards to the DNO would this mean a separate meter, standing charge and bill would you think?

    I would have to check who actually owns the road as it is not on my deeds.

    Regards,

    David
     
  9. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    Would think that a decent petrol generator would be the quickest and cheapest option.
     
  10. JustPhil

    JustPhil Active Member

    I’m interested in your question as I’m currently reviewing quotes to install mains to my workshop. I’ve looked into off grid solar pv setups. I think it’ll cost about a grand to get a working setup enough to power a few tools using “eBay special” kit of unknown quality. More “brand name” kit would be 3000 to fit the mid range power tool requirements I’ve got in mind for my workshop, and you never know if the batteries will last long enough for a long session of works. So I don’t think that’s a great avenue to go down.

    It’s just got me thinking though, how much would it cost to replace the important power tools with cordless equivalents and install only a small PV lighting setup? It might suit me, how about you?
    I’ve got a lot of makita 18v, just got a makita 36v mower and it’s brilliant. Only thing on mains in my shed is the table saw (cheaper than a grand for a 36v version!) and on the rare occasions I use the planer I can use an extension lead. Hmm.

    Edit: ah bugger, they don’t do a cordless table saw yet.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2019
  11. Richard_

    Richard_ Screwfix Select

    Bingo!

    Not adopted means it is privately owned. The owners can do what they want as long as access rights are maintained and any other legal obligations.

    For example there might be a wayleave granting utility companies access to maintain their services, or covenants about shared cost of maintenance. Other users may want you to confirm you accept liability for any maintenance costs or damage if it goes wrong.

    So your choices are:
    - Sling a cable across at 4.65m clearance from your house to a tree (standard highways clearance). Cheap, quick, ugly. Risk of getting hit by a muppet in a tall vehicle, or tree debris in a gale.

    - As above with a telegraph pole to look more professional but probably the same cost as digging a trench.

    - Dig a trench. Costs more but only digger hire for a day plus cost of duct. Unseen, potential hassle of avoiding other buried services. Low risk of accidental damage.
     
  12. Bazza

    Bazza Screwfix Select

    How much power do you need?
    You havent said. There's options if you just want to power a hedge cutter now an aagain plus some lights.
    A different approach if you are setting up a car maintenance workshop with an engine hoist and MIG welder +heating.
     
  13. JustPhil

    JustPhil Active Member

    @Bazza “I am looking to power domestic power tools, garden tools and some lighting, and the charging of cordless power tools.”
    More or less covers it.
    Wonder what the highest single load is, in Watts?
     
  14. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    If it's unadopted then as has been said, crack on, it is probably owned co-operatively by all the home owners along it. I would get a price for moleing it in, save annoying folks with your trench. Is it tarmac or just scalpings and dust?
     
  15. Diy-dave71

    Diy-dave71 New Member

    My power requirements would be modest, Lighting would be a constant need, with age creeping up and eye sight failing I would need good lighting most of the time, I would have to check the power usage of my tools but I guess the mitre saw would be the most power hungry at 1800w. I am mainly a hobbyist working with wood and the usual DIY tasks, hoping to semi retire soon and looking to increase my tool portfolio and explore new materials to work with.
     
  16. Diy-dave71

    Diy-dave71 New Member

    It is a proper tarmac road, what trade would cover moleing? I assume it would be a specialist task? Or would it be a case of engaging an electrician and letting him sort out the who and how?
     
  17. Diy-dave71

    Diy-dave71 New Member

    I think that if a mains power solution is not possible then I would possibly run a solar panel/leisure battery set up for the lighting and a petrol generator for corded powertool use. I wonder if a leisure battery setup would charge cordless powertools? and I do believe the sponsors of this site do sell a DeWalt cordless table saw for around £800.
     
  18. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Some hire shops, SpeedyHire is one, actually have the kit available,usually a 45mm,55mm & 75mm Grundomat Moles,suitable for up to 50mtrs distance,as to cost, no idea.
    Used one some years ago to put a new water main under a concrete hard standing,all worked out very well, once aligned it seldom goes off course unless you hit something like a large stone.

     

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