En bloc garage with a light (no plug socket)

[mark seeker]

I have recently moved and with the flat I've got an en bloc garage with a light bulb / switch, perfect I thought, I need to get a plug socket in here to keep my battery conditioner ticking over winter for the car.

I had a cursory look at the light and noticed it wasn't earthed, just a black and yellow wire going to it so I decided to call in the professionals (before I get flamed).

Tonight my electrician came to the garage to install a plug socket for me, after a while he discovered that the antiquated wiring had no earth. He installed the socket and has however taken an earth from the metal frame of the garage door but advised me as this isn't an official earth (the socket tester was happy - http://www.testermans.co.uk/socket-testers/Audible... he told me to be safe I should run a RCD for my battery conditioner (C-Tek).

I was just wondering on people's thoughts? Does this RCD suffice in this low ampage application or is there an alternative / is this dangerous?

[mark seeker]

andy43 said:

I'm not an electrician either, but taking the earth to the garage door is nothing short of lunacy. In my non-qualified opinion. Lowest rating fuse in the charger plug that you can find, and don't use the garage door when it's raining....

It did seem odd to me, I paid a professional as I'm not one! With an RCD and a low amp fuse what is the worst can happen?

[mark seeker]

Many thanks for the feedback, I’ll combine the answers – I have added a photo as this may make it clearer.

I was not issued with a minor works certificate, the chap took the power from meter / box.

The 'electrician' fitted a plug box directly to the meter/box above, there was no breaker, fusebox or anything installed (I don’t have a photo of this).

If anyone knows of a good electrician in North London please let me know!

[mark seeker]

Appreciate everyone's input, the meter in the garage I think is from a bygone period, the electricity is billed to all garage owners (literally just the cost evenly split by 30 garages). I guess it was considered overkill to get all owners to check their meter (when there is only a light bulb inside).

I have drafted an email to the managing agent today enquiring how I can make a legal plug socket a reality. I think to get access to the main power box for all the garages will involve a conversation with them. I could ideally do with asking other owners if they have a 240v power point in theirs but I haven't really seen anyone in / out of their unit.

[mark seeker]

Again many thanks - I'm waiting to hear from the Managing Agents so we'll see what they say in terms of rectifying the situation.

With regards to the earthed garage, I will disconnect the 'earth' this weekend.

It does seem odd that the garages haven't been updated to comply with current regulations.