Electrical - Sub distribution box/lighting automation

Krizzy82 · Dec 08, 2023 12:11 pm

Hi all,

I have just built a new home and have the requirement to add in a sub mains panel in my garage to house automation modules for the lighting control in my house.

I have been in the commercial AV industry and am familiar with automation, so I was able to run all the TPS in and fit the Sub switchboard.

I am trying to prep up as much as possible before my sparky comes to site to fit off.

My questions are.

1)Do I need an earthing rod for the Sub panel? If so what guage earth is sufficient?

2)The feeder cable from the mains is 6mm. I presume that should be more than enough as most circuts are LEDs.?

3) My mains switchboard would like to add an additional x2 Power circuts, plus the submain breaker but it looks like my SB is full.
Will I have to upgrade my switchboard Mains panelLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Main panelTo add in the extra circuts and sub mains circut breaker will this need to be upgraded?Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

SUB panel This is the mains box that will house the control modules. Will it need an earthing rod?Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

?

Pulse · Dec 08, 2023 9:31 pm

Krizzy82

1)Do I need an earthing rod for the Sub panel? If so what guage earth is sufficient?

2)The feeder cable from the mains is 6mm. I presume that should be more than enough as most circuts are LEDs.?

3) My mains switchboard would like to add an additional x2 Power circuts, plus the submain breaker but it looks like my SB is full.
Will I have to upgrade my switchboard

?

1. optional, you can but normally just use the earth from the main switch board

2. should be enough but the distance determines voltage drop - sparky should work it out

3. no you can just swap out the old RCD and seperate MCBs to combination RCBOs so each group of 4 modules can go down to 2.

Your sparky should sort all this for you