Temporary electric wires across our land. Is it safe?

[advancebooking]

This is one for the electric forum but couldnt see it on the main forum page. 

 

We have land and have a temporary electricity supply from a digial meter set up by the PEA. We have bamboo poles 20m apart with the white wire going to the hut. The main switch is under a wooden hut we put in the middle of the land. Now a small carport has been finished which is 60m away. If I buy 3 x 20m cords and connect them up (to each other) to supply the carport.... Is it risky if the wires are on the ground in the rain. At the points where I plug the connections into each other I propose to sit them on concrete pavers and put an upside down wheel barrow over it or something to keep the rain off it. 

 

Is this a risk at all if its raining and I go to use a fan or whatever in the carport? The black wires would all be exposed to the rain

thanks

[Gottfrid]

There is always a risk involved if there is an installation done without proper knowledge and professional material.

[Crossy]

It would not be safe!!!

 

Go and buy a roll of 1.5mm² flexible cable and put a plug on one end and a traily outlet on the other. Make a loooong extension cord.

 

Supporting the cable off the ground out of the wet would be a smart move.

 

Plug/socket joins are not intended to be out in the weather unless specifically designed for it.

 

How long would this temporary arrangement be in use for? 

 

[bluejets]

A safety cut used as a mains isolator in a weatherproof enclosure on a pole, right where the mains enter the property would also be a good move.

Cables on the ground never a good idea.

[OneMoreFarang]

8 hours ago, advancebooking said:

We have land and have a temporary electricity supply from a digial meter set up by the PEA

Do you have a breaker box right next to that? And earth?

If you use a RCBO right there, then I guess that would reduce any risk considerably. 

[Crossy]

@advancebooking if you post some photos of what you have we could suggest how to make it safe.

 

Thai "temporary" power is rarely safe in the Western sense of the word.

[Muhendis]

Do I understand this right?

There is a white wire run from the meter on bamboo poles.

I assume the white wire is domestic house wire.

This is unsatisfactory if exposed to the elements for an extended period (a few years).

What is the cable protection at the meter?

Assuming the white wire is two core 2.5mm², there should be a fuse at the meter end not exceeding 20 Amps.

The fuse will ensure the wire won't get too hot in the event of a short at one of the connections etc.

Mind you, if there is a catastrophic fuseless shorting event the PEA supply will be sufficient to vaporise the cable.

[xtrnuno41]

A white wire (probably indoor cable) going over bamboo poles 20 meters apart, how many bamboo posts then?

Swinging in the air or fixed on sideways poles as wel? Think about a stormy day.

So that cable is already at least 40 m or way more (depending on how many bamboo posts) and NO fuse with RCBO?

Then again you start from a wooden hut from a switch.

The length will be 60 meters and again NO fuse with RCBO.

You want to connect 3 cables of 20 meter, so connections are out in the open with some tape? 

Find a shop which can deliver 60 meter(outdoor cable) in ONE piece ! Yes it weighs some. Use your wheelbarrow for carrying it.

Here some for you to see, not only the gold.

https://www.thaiwatsadu.com/en/brand/NNN GOLD

Maybe you can order direct from https://www.bangkokcable.com/ or through Thaiwatsadu or so for the needed amount?

Special fixed order on how many meters. It is not wise to connect 3 separate wires for the length.

You can also use single core wiring and push them through a plastic pipe or pull if you have equipment for it.

It would be cheaper then a flex cable and easily for sell of 100 meters in shops.

Mind code of wiring fase brown, neutral blue. dont forget fuses with RCBO.

 

 

The smaller your copper diameter is and the longer the wire, the less power you will get at the end. Internal resistance power loss.

Also it will get higher when temperature gets higher of cable, due to sun and/or power use

What do you want to run in the carport? Just a light or a high powered engine? How many Watts?

The white cable 1.5 or 2.5 mm2?  At least all is 2.5 mm2, coz of total length.

Temporarily could easy go to permanent. So make it permanent temporarily.

 

If you only need power for a light, then have a solar light?! Panel on roof or wall, done

 

You can buy some little oversized pvc pipe and put cable in there over ground. Taking care of course no water can get in.

NOT sealing the pipe, as it has to breath, heat, hot air has to get out. You can (partly) bury it in soil.

Thats why also an over sizing of pipe, to prevent heating up of cable in pipe.

Also it would be nice if pipe is UV resistant, if above ground, sun rays.

 

The best cable for outside use is YMvk-as. ok thats EU indication. Thailand something like this

0.6/1 kV CV-SWA. Cant find a price, but it will cost you, I guess. And very heavy.

That one has an armor included.

Never the less, dont under estimate electricity, if you do something wrong, it can be the last thing you did.

Or lots of damage.