Installing a new mains power outlet?

**Mike.Gayner** · 30th May 2014, 10:58

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** · 30th May 2014, 11:01

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** · 30th May 2014, 11:06

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 30th May 2014, 11:40

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

**Laava** · 30th May 2014, 11:50

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

**Mike.Gayner** · 30th May 2014, 11:52

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** · 30th May 2014, 11:58

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

**Laava** · 30th May 2014, 12:10

Sparky is $50-75hr plus mileage

**Robbo** · 30th May 2014, 12:20

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** · 30th May 2014, 12:31

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.....

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

**neels** · 30th May 2014, 12:48

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** · 30th May 2014, 13:21

Originally Posted by scrivy

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.....

Yes but will he charge extra for that?

**Mike.Gayner** · 30th May 2014, 13:24

Originally Posted by 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.

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.