Installing a new mains power outlet?

[Mike.Gayner]

I want to have a new power outlet put in my garage (my whole house is short on outlets, stupid cheap-ass builders). This is the only picture I've got to show what I'm dealing with:
http://imgur.com/9ADWwWS.jpg

At the top-left of the photo is the edge of the breaker box. Ideally I want a power outlet next to the tool box at a level convenient for the workbench. But would it be cheaper/easier to put an outlet on the the same circuit at the light switch on the right hand side (behind the broom handle)? I figure if you put an outlet and a junction box right there, there will be minimum new wiring/busting into the wall.

I want to run a compressor and eventually a welder off the outlet.

[Big Dog]

Most houses I have live in the lighting is on 10amp fuses. And the power points are on 15amp fuses.
My compressor trips my 10 amp RCD but not my 15 amp.

Does that help?


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Mike.Gayner]

Most houses I have live in the lighting is on 10amp fuses. And the power points are on 15amp fuses.
My compressor trips my 10 amp RCD but not my 15 amp.

Does that help?


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Yes it does, I'll have to check it out when I get home. That's my main concern with wiring into the light circuit.

[The Pastor]

How much would it cost to get a sparky to do it? should be a simple job for them?

[Laava]

You won,t be running a welder off a lighting circuit.
Get a sparky and do it properly.

[Mike.Gayner]

Actually my main question was the one I forgot to ask - how much do you expect a sparky would charge for this?

There's no sense in doing it myself - a sparky still has to come over and hook it up and issue COC. May as well have him/her do the whole lot.

[R650R]

Just call a sparky, about the only thing your allowed to do now is replace fittings like for like.

[Laava]

Sparky is $50-75hr plus mileage

[Robbo]

Can't connect a power point to the lighting circuit. It is an easy install and just needs a short run of 2.5mm Twin +E cable dropped down from your circuit breaker panel to a switched double power point unit below. Has to be done by a registered sparky and should cost around $120

[scrivy]

If you gave Jellywrestler $100 in beer, he'd probably come up from Welly to do it.....
Mind you, he'd keep you awake with his snoring, whack one off into your shampoo bottle and prolly molest your cat while he was there too.....:lol:

But you'd hear some farken good yarns..........

[neels]

Is there an RCD in the board already?

Pretty sure if there's not you'll have to put one in when adding another subcircuit, which will add some cost to the job.

[imdying]

Mind you, he'd keep you awake with his snoring, whack one off into your shampoo bottle and prolly molest your cat while he was there too.....:lol:Yes but will he charge extra for that? :lol:

[Mike.Gayner]

Is there an RCD in the board already?

Pretty sure if there's not you'll have to put one in when adding another subcircuit, which will add some cost to the job.

I doubt it, original wiring from 1994 and I don't think they were using RCD's commonly then? Any idea what kind of extra cost involved there?

Obviously the simple thing to do is get a quote, but I'm just trying to get a feeling right now. Cheers.

[pritch]

Ask around among people or businesses you know to see which electricians are recommended.

[scrivy]

Yes but will he charge extra for that? :lol:

Only if he can't remove the cat fur from between his teeth himself......:crazy:

[The Reibz]

FOr insurance purposes get a sparky to do it.
If your house catches fire because of a wiring fault you did yourself, tough shit. Probably best to do all the cables yourself and then get a sparky to connect it all up and sign it off.

That way atleast your in the clear should the worst happen

[neels]

I doubt it, original wiring from 1994 and I don't think they were using RCD's commonly then? Any idea what kind of extra cost involved there?

Obviously the simple thing to do is get a quote, but I'm just trying to get a feeling right now. Cheers.
1994 probably not, if it's a din rail board with spare space no drama to put one in for the new circuit, an idea of cost...

https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=88&DPT=p&DPI=3466&S=3e7c69ee5030a224462b3fe7626388e0

plus an hour for the sparky to wire it (if they can go straight down the wall from above), $20 for the outlet, some travel time. I vaguely recall someone mentioning it costing around $300 for installing a new outlet.

[Mike.Gayner]

1994 probably not, if it's a din rail board with spare space no drama to put one in for the new circuit, an idea of cost...

https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=88&DPT=p&DPI=3466&S=3e7c69ee5030a224462b3fe7626388e0

plus an hour for the sparky to wire it (if they can go straight down the wall from above), $20 for the outlet, some travel time. I vaguely recall someone mentioning it costing around $300 for installing a new outlet.

Cheers I think you're not too far off. Heaps of space on the rail for RCD.

[Voltaire]

if you want to do welding may need to fit a 15 amp outlet with the larger earth terminal, my welder has the 15 amp plug and I was reluctant to cut if off for warranty purposes.
You might be able to just get an RCD socket and leave the board alone, probably still need a 25 amp breaker and 2.5 cable.
( former electrician)

[St_Gabriel]

Just tell the sparky when s/he prices it up that you want a 15A outlet and it should be around the same price for a single 15a outlet or a twin 10a outlet. Alternatively, as it is a new circuit, ask for both to be installed side by side.

[Waihou Thumper]

Just call a sparky, about the only thing your allowed to do now is replace fittings like for like.

You can also wire a plug....I found out with a couple of extension leads I have. I cut them, bought the plugs and wired them myself, saved a bundle...:)
I am still here but have spiky hair! :)

[Akzle]

fuken code and shit. Wired a stack of shit and none of its on fire.
If you dont mind conduit on the wall and a stand off socket, its easy as urination..
Its so easy to not fuck it up, a vagina is surely the only excuse.