Will 4mm SWA 3 core be sufficient for my project?

Question

Will 4mm SWA 3 core be sufficient for my project?

Plan is to run 10m non-armoured in a conduit on exterior wall from consumer unit, connect in a box to SWA and bury for a distance of 20m to shed. Bury area traffic is negligible. Little consumer box shed side. Max electric draw would be a kettle, tv, fridge, lights, maybe a small electric heater. 

I'm not connecting anything myself. Just need advice before I buy a 4mm SWA. Once I've done all I can electrician to connect and sign it off.

NB does electrician need to see trench depth before I bury it?

Ciaran · Accepted Answer

I would personally put in 6mm because of the load of the kettle and heater even if it’s small as it doesn’t mean it will alway be small or someone taking another portable heater and using it also 

If I was goin the John I would want to see the trench and warning tape go down

George · Answer

4mm swa is rated to 32-40amps this should be sufficient for the loads you have specified

Stuart · Answer

There are a numbers of questions which need addressing all of which would have been handled if the e works are being completed by a competent registered electrician.  Electrical works should be completed correctly, qualified electricians have completed years of training and are assessed annually to ensure all works are completed to current regulations, electrical works should be installed by the same electrician who is signing off the work NICEIC approved contractors are only allowed to sign off their own work, this ensure all works are being completed correctly.  We would discourage individuals from completing their own work and sometimes wonder why un trained and un registered individuals think it is ok to undertake such work, potentially undermining their household insurance.

Billy · Answer

4mm SWA is good for 36A when buried.
Recommended bury depth is 450mm. 
Every electrician is different but just in case I would take photos before back filling the hole to show the depth of the tench.

Many thanks
Billy
Agri-fit solutions

Ian · Answer

It would be easier and probably better looking to use swa all the way.
I would imagine that 6mm 3 core swa would be best and buried at a depth of 450mm. Preferably lay some warning tape  over the top of it when backfilling.
Photos showing the depth should be fine.

Veaceslav · Answer

It's not enough,you need a 10mm swafor a such distance

Benjamin · Answer

Doesn’t sound like the best plan. If you bury it’s got to be really deep and yes, they would have to see it.  Conduit on exterior wall into swa?? Why not have all swa and save time - time is money. 4mm cost and 6mm cost are not that different. Why not future proof. If your not putting a small consumer unit in shed, why bother taking the feed from the consumer unit if it’s another 10 meters??

Patrick · Answer

Hi a cable of 10mm is the correct size for this run. It must be buried at 0.6mm .

Simon · Answer

From your description, i would recommend a 10 mm SWA cable from house consumer unit to your garden room, the load you have listed suffices this size of cable.

Octavian · Answer

Yes an 4mm will do your 42amps consumer unit , also it is good to leave the trench uncover until the enginer finalise the work. My opinion only 

He will also proced the testing even if the cable is already buried

Will 4mm SWA 3 core be sufficient for my project?

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