Probably been asked before, but I understand the concept, I just need a
cheap supplier!

Currently in our utility room there is a handily placed (no RCD) socket
for outdoor use, I'm using this for the lawnmower for example. The
previous house owner has run a twin+earth wire down to the pond,
presumably this was being used for a pump/fountain (I'll never know
seeing as they thoughtfully just snipped the outdoor end clean off). I'd
like to set this back up - only a little bit more permanently. What I'd
like to do is make the existing socket RCD protected, and also make the
outdoor a spur off it with an RCD socket outside. Unfortunately this is
expensive. The indoor RCD socket is only about 20 quid, but the outdoor
(single or double) I've seen priced anywhere from 40 to 80 quid. That's
more than the pump it's going to run!

Anybody recommend somewhere that might be cheaper - or find a cheaper
way round it that I haven't thought about?

Thanks

--
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
http://www.toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk
BONY#38

mike. buckley wrote:
Probably been asked before, but I understand the concept, I just need a
cheap supplier!

Currently in our utility room there is a handily placed (no RCD) socket
for outdoor use, I'm using this for the lawnmower for example. The
previous house owner has run a twin+earth wire down to the pond,
presumably this was being used for a pump/fountain (I'll never know
seeing as they thoughtfully just snipped the outdoor end clean off). I'd
like to set this back up - only a little bit more permanently. What I'd
like to do is make the existing socket RCD protected, and also make the
outdoor a spur off it with an RCD socket outside. Unfortunately this is
expensive. The indoor RCD socket is only about 20 quid, but the outdoor
(single or double) I've seen priced anywhere from 40 to 80 quid. That's
more than the pump it's going to run!

Anybody recommend somewhere that might be cheaper - or find a cheaper
way round it that I haven't thought about?

Thanks




www.tlc-direct.co.uk

RCD Spur £26
Single socket for indoors £3
IP56 1 Gang Socket £16

On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:13:37 +0100, "mike. buckley"
strung together this:

Anybody recommend somewhere that might be cheaper - or find a cheaper
way round it that I haven't thought about?

Fit an RCD spur inside for the pond supply and use a normal, non RCD protected,
waterproof socket. http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BRH92.html. For the
socket I would recommend the MK Masterseal range.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

In message , Lurch
writes
On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:13:37 +0100, "mike. buckley"
strung together this:

Anybody recommend somewhere that might be cheaper - or find a cheaper
way round it that I haven't thought about?

Fit an RCD spur inside for the pond supply and use a normal, non RCD protected,
waterproof socket. http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BRH92.html. For the
socket I would recommend the MK Masterseal range.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

TLC Direct seem to be the way to go. I also found some cheaper RCD
outdoor sockets, but they were only rated at IP54, which looks a bit
pants.

Thanks folks.

--
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
http://www.toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk
BONY#38

The indoor RCD socket is only about 20 quid, but the outdoor (single
or double) I've seen priced anywhere from 40 to 80 quid. That's
more than the pump it's going to run!

I'd use a standard outdoor socket, such as screwfix item 10562. IP66 rated
so needs no further protection. Run this off an RCD spur inside the house
that can also run an internal RCD socket if needed.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...11484&id=10562
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...11438&id=14770

That's cheaper (this time) than the TLC items. Although I would recommend
both Screwfix and TLC generally, screwfix do some very good budget IP rated
electricals. The above I have and am impressed by build quality given the
price. I also have their Volex VGCKIT IP rated consumer unit which looks
excellent at any price, let alone the 25 quid they charge.

Christian.

"mike. buckley" wrote in message
news ....
TLC Direct seem to be the way to go. I also found some cheaper RCD
outdoor sockets, but they were only rated at IP54, which looks a bit
pants.

That is rain proof, so you only need to worry if you plan to hose the socket
down or expect deep floods.

Colin Bignell

On Mon, 24 May 2004 17:45:50 +0100, "nightjar"
strung together this:

TLC Direct seem to be the way to go. I also found some cheaper RCD
outdoor sockets, but they were only rated at IP54, which looks a bit
pants.

That is rain proof, so you only need to worry if you plan to hose the socket
down or expect deep floods.

With the flap closed no doubt. With the cheap sockets if you open the flap it is
nore waterproof than a normal internal socket. That's why I recommended the MK
Masterseal range, they're IP rating is the same when a plug is inserted as the
lid seals the plug and socket and the flex inside.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

"Lurch" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 May 2004 17:45:50 +0100, "nightjar"
strung together this:

TLC Direct seem to be the way to go. I also found some cheaper RCD
outdoor sockets, but they were only rated at IP54, which looks a bit
pants.

That is rain proof, so you only need to worry if you plan to hose the
socket
down or expect deep floods.

With the flap closed no doubt. With the cheap sockets if you open the flap
it is
nore waterproof than a normal internal socket. That's why I recommended
the MK
Masterseal range, they're IP rating is the same when a plug is inserted as
the
lid seals the plug and socket and the flex inside.

I find that they won't close over the strain relief on most moulded-on
plugs, so that feature is of little value. However, as none of the equipment
I use outside is IP54 rated, I don't really want to use it when it is
raining anyway.

Colin Bignell

On Tue, 25 May 2004 23:13:24 +0100, "nightjar"
strung together this:

I find that they won't close over the strain relief on most moulded-on
plugs, so that feature is of little value.

True, but if it is a feature that is required then cutting off the
moulded plug and putting on a normal replacement one isn't really a
hassle.

However, as none of the equipment
I use outside is IP54 rated, I don't really want to use it when it is
raining anyway.

Fairynuff, but I think in the OPs case a pump was going to be plugged
in.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

With the flap closed no doubt. With the cheap sockets if you open the flap
it is
nore waterproof than a normal internal socket. That's why I recommended
the MK
Masterseal range, they're IP rating is the same when a plug is inserted as
the
lid seals the plug and socket and the flex inside.

True, but the cheap Clipsal one will maintain rating if you use their
matching plug. And it will maintain IP66, rather than IP56, not that it
makes any difference as it is the second number that is important for this
application.

As very little equipment will be used in the rain, it is no hardship to
replace the plug of the odd item with a matching IP rated industrial one,
but most people won't need to. I, for one, am perfectly happy waiting for
the rain to stop before mowing the lawn.

Christian.

On Wed, 26 May 2004 09:10:01 +0100, "Christian McArdle"
strung together this:

As very little equipment will be used in the rain, it is no hardship to
replace the plug of the odd item with a matching IP rated industrial one,
but most people won't need to. I, for one, am perfectly happy waiting for
the rain to stop before mowing the lawn.

Yes, but as I said in another post, the OP is wanting to plug a pump
in so I can't see that he'll be rushing outside every time iit rains
to bring it in!
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

Yes, but as I said in another post, the OP is wanting to plug a pump
in so I can't see that he'll be rushing outside every time iit rains
to bring it in!

Having seen both, I'd say the Masterseal is better generally because of the
sealing normal plugs thing (although you pay mightily for the privilege).
However, I'd say that whilst using the dedicated IP66 plug, the Clipsal one
would seal better for long term use. It has proper rubber sealing rings,
rather than the compromise that would be required to seal a cable exit of
undetermined diameter.

Basically, the Masterseal is more convenient, but the Clipsal has better
weatherproofing. I may be wrong, though, it is purely through examination of
the parts that I say this, not through any proper scientific comparison.

Christian.

On Wed, 26 May 2004 13:51:29 +0100, "Christian McArdle"
strung together this:

Having seen both, I'd say the Masterseal is better generally because of the
sealing normal plugs thing (although you pay mightily for the privilege).
However, I'd say that whilst using the dedicated IP66 plug, the Clipsal one
would seal better for long term use. It has proper rubber sealing rings,
rather than the compromise that would be required to seal a cable exit of
undetermined diameter.

Basically, the Masterseal is more convenient, but the Clipsal has better
weatherproofing. I may be wrong, though, it is purely through examination of
the parts that I say this, not through any proper scientific comparison.

Right then, we'll agree to disagree, possibly. (Although I'm not 100%
sure that we do!) I fit MK Masterseal because of the quality and the
sealing that it has for a wide range of universal applications. I
don't fit the Clipsal because that would mean using a matching pair of
plug and socket, this loses the flexibility and universalness of the
MK. Although there is nothing wrong with what you say that is why I
don't fit them.
Think that's cleared it up!
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

"Lurch" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 26 May 2004 13:51:29 +0100, "Christian McArdle"
strung together this:

Having seen both, I'd say the Masterseal is better generally because of the
sealing normal plugs thing (although you pay mightily for the privilege).
However, I'd say that whilst using the dedicated IP66 plug, the Clipsal one
would seal better for long term use. It has proper rubber sealing rings,
rather than the compromise that would be required to seal a cable exit of
undetermined diameter.

Basically, the Masterseal is more convenient, but the Clipsal has better
weatherproofing. I may be wrong, though, it is purely through examination of
the parts that I say this, not through any proper scientific comparison.

Right then, we'll agree to disagree, possibly. (Although I'm not 100%
sure that we do!) I fit MK Masterseal because of the quality and the
sealing that it has for a wide range of universal applications. I
don't fit the Clipsal because that would mean using a matching pair of
plug and socket, this loses the flexibility and universalness of the
MK. Although there is nothing wrong with what you say that is why I
don't fit them.
Think that's cleared it up!

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd

I fit the MK Masterseal as well because it allows a more flexible range of
appliances to be plugged in. For dedicated systems a matching plug and socket
are OK but this does limit the use of the external wiring system to that one
dedicated appliance doesn't it ?

For dedicated systems a matching plug and socket are OK but this does
limit the use of the external wiring system to that one dedicated
appliance doesn't it ?

It's not that bad. In this case, the only the pump would need the dedicated
plug as it is used in bad weather. The socket can still be borrowed for
other equipment in a non-IP rated fashion. The lawnmower and strimmer can
still use the socket. The socket is a standard 3 pin square type, not a 16A
industrial or anything.

Christian.