How to Decide on Electrical Requirements for your Water Garden
or Fish Pond Design
Your final pond design will probably include a pump, UVC (ultra violet light
clarifier), and maybe lights. These items or pond products all need electric
power to make them work. Consequently planning for an electricity supply for
your garden fish pond project is imperative. Always remember electricity and
water do not mix well so extra special attention has to be paid to ensure
completely safe aquatic environments. The following is a summarised list of
basic requirements ... In the UK all electrical work must comply with Part P of
the Building Regulations and failure to comply is judged to be a criminal
offence. Do take care... and contact your local authority's building control
department for good sensible advice.
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Long lengths of outdoor cable should be
protected using armoured cable or appropriate conduits.
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The source of power should be protected by an
earth leakage or residual current device so that in the event of electrical
connections being exposed to water then the whole electric circuit will trip
to prevent accidents and maybe even death.
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Pond or fountain pumps with short 2 core
cables must not be used in outdoor environments (in fact it is illegal in
many countries to sell such pumps for outdoor usage)
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In calculating the length of cable required decide
first upon whether it will be buried or not and layout the cable run using
rope or string and then add an extra metre for additional flexibility.
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All outdoor connecting points must be
weatherproof and certified as such.
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Outdoor cabling for pond pumps is made from
specially manufactured rubber and certified to meet exacting safety
standards. The cable normally has words to this effect printed on the cable
itself.
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In areas where the public at large and
especially children gather often electrical equipment will be low voltage so
that in the event of any accidents there is no risk of electrocution.
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These days although not always suitable solar
power products are used for safety reasons.
What Kind Of Electrical Devices and Fittings Are Available?
To enable people to install electrical equipment outdoors in full compliance
with legal and building codes power kits have been designed by companies like
Armadillo in the UK.
A complete kit consists of cable, connectors for submersed and ground level
positions, junction boxes, and switch boxes. Click this link to
see a full description of a project using approved
electrical power kits for water garden fish ponds which can
be obtained from Bradshaws.
Click
here to buy electrical power kits from Bradshaws.
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