240 Generator Powering a Paintball Site

[Dskize]

Need a little help here please ,I'm trying to figure out what the electrical requirements are when it comes to using a Generator to power a site (at 240v),IE a permanent install ,What kind of safety devices do I need too implement (Distro board ,RCD's, drive in an earth spike etc) I'm having a bit of difficulty finding out where too get the information and someone on here must have done it already..

Thanks...

 

[Dusty]

gonna be a big generator. brother is a spark, I will ask him tomorrow for you.

 

[Dskize]

2x16 Amp supplies buddy ..should be plenty for a few lights and a couple of power tools now and then,its the safety aspects im really concerned about as it's a public area etc,all help appreciated thanks

 

[jacktheman2]

If you get a trained sparky he should tell you exactly what to do. But if you going to do it your self i would suggest using round steel conduit for the hole circuit remember to do your calculations and make sure you use the right cable of the voltage that you will be using e.g 2.5mm twin and earth.

Also try not to use fuses in your c/u unit ( consumer unit or disto board ) i think with the new 17th addition of the OSG it's a illegal to use them, MCB's unlike the fuses don't need to wait till the fuse brakes. MCB's as soon as they detect a fault current they trip instantly. but i am sure there is something better you can use.


There is tons and tons stuff that i have forgotten to tell you as i am only on my second year of becoming a electrician so i apologize but i will try and find out the best way of doing it in the mean while i would seek an professional option or wait until dusty gets back to you.

I hope i have been some help and if you have any more questions feel free to ask them.

 

[Shadlad]

Wiring under 10 foot needs to be in trunking, under ground wires need to be armoured. Anything that someone can touch fiddle with needs to be on a breaker. Anything other staff use needs a P.A.T Test or if the public use it. Once a year this needs done. The rules for wiring are weird as you'd not think a grown up would fiddle with live wires, but they do. Hence why it needs to be in trunking if visable to public. Normal standard for tools and lighting of a gen if it is out doors 110 volt.

Also a new law came into force that unless your qualified you need any electrical instal signed off by a sparky within your home. I would assume this is true where the public are concerned as well.

 

[robbo777]

What exactly do you need to power?
The only thing I power on my sites is the pump to fill my toilet cisterns which I just fire up a 750w genny on demand, I don't use lights as we are always packed away before dark, my griddle and tea urn run on gas.

What you need to do is find out what you will be running i.e lights halogen? normal house bulbs? add up the required KW and obviously then get the genny to suit, if you find all of your equipment adds up to 2kw for example you will then need a 2.8-3.3kw genny to handle the surge of switching on the appliances.
If then you decide to make a permanent electrical circuit to handle your appliances you first need to start off with a distribution board with the required MCB's installed i.e 6amp for lighting and 32a for ringmain then from each socket you will need to have an RCD.
I would also recommend you have a copper earth steak as you mentioned above.

 

[Skeet]

I raised this question (well, a similar one) to a learned friend, while asking about power requirements for converting my shed into a Spray Booth (remember my Airbrush questions? Gone a bit nuts I have!)

He said..well...you can plug a couple of 3KW fires into your home electric supply, on the same ring main...it doesn't matter if you put super thick cables between them, as at the end of the day, the switch, is a tiny thin piece of copper.

Earth spike is useful. MCB's, you can buy them built into a socket (1 or 2 gang), waterproof switches etc if needed, which, can be bought from Wilkinsons for £5, for a 2 gang waterproof switch, IP54 I think, as can a waterproof housing for multiway extension lead type things for £20.

 

[Dskize]

Right I'll be a bit clearer,

I have a good working knowledge of domestic electrical installation ,and the cable ratings ,maths and fittings involved,however I have never wired up an external installation that it generator powered before and I need to find out if there are any other needs,

The generator already exists and is at least 7.5 Kw which is more than enough for what is required ,

My understanding goes ..

Generator - Distro-board with RCD and MCB's (clean earth spike driven in)- 0ne 6-10Amp MCB to a 240-110v Drop down transformer which is powering the public area lighting Via IP6 rated C-Form connectors (110 Fluorescent fittings)

One 16A MCB to a 240 C-form to an extension to power an office area and possible couple of 240v sockets at the site reception hut.(possibly run as a small radial circuit but that would be unnecessary in my eyes.

I now know I have to use wire armour ..Do i still have to contain this when I bury it ?

There are lighting cables (Tower clipped) to walls in the changing rooms (3 core 1.5) this will need contained in conduit of some sort yes?

Ta

 

[Golddust]

Id be willing if paid to make sure its idiot proof

 

[Skeet]

Right I'll be a bit clearer,

I have a good working knowledge of domestic electrical installation ,and the cable ratings ,maths and fittings involved,however I have never wired up an external installation that it generator powered before and I need to find out if there are any other needs,

The generator already exists and is at least 7.5 Kw which is more than enough for what is required ,

My understanding goes ..

Generator - Distro-board with RCD and MCB's (clean earth spike driven in)- 0ne 6-10Amp MCB to a 240-110v Drop down transformer which is powering the public area lighting Via IP6 rated C-Form connectors (110 Fluorescent fittings)

One 16A MCB to a 240 C-form to an extension to power an office area and possible couple of 240v sockets at the site reception hut.(possibly run as a small radial circuit but that would be unnecessary in my eyes.

I now know I have to use wire armour ..Do i still have to contain this when I bury it ?

There are lighting cables (Tower clipped) to walls in the changing rooms (3 core 1.5) this will need contained in conduit of some sort yes?

Ta

I do know a bit about burying stuff.

When you dig your trench, put an inch of soft sand (or any sand really) in the bottom, then the cable, then pack around with sand.

Just help prevent flints etc, working their way into the cable and causing failures later on.

You may not need to use armoured cable, if you can duct it...water pipe?