41 Comments

1. Hi Patrick, Regulations for Running Electricity from a Main House to a Granny Flat in South Africa

   When running an electrical cable between the main house and a new granny flat, it’s essential to follow the South African National Standards (SANS 10142-1), which regulates electrical installations to ensure safety and compliance.
   Key Regulations and Guidelines:

   Cable Depth for Underground Installation
   The minimum depth for burying an electrical cable underground is 500mm (50cm) below the surface.
   If the cable is to be laid under a driveway or area with vehicular traffic, the depth must be increased to 1,000mm (1 meter) for added protection.

   Cable Protection
   The cable must be a SWAC (Steel Wire Armored Cable) or similar type suitable for underground use.
   Lay the cable on a bed of sand (about 100mm deep) to protect it from sharp objects.
   Once the cable is laid, cover it with another 100mm of sand before filling the trench with soil.
   Install a warning tape approximately 300mm above the cable to alert future diggers of its presence.

   Distance from Other Services
   If other services like water pipes, sewer pipes, or gas lines are present in the same trench, the electrical cable must be separated by at least 300mm horizontally and vertically.

   Cable Type
   Use an armored cable or conduit to prevent accidental damage.
   The cable size must be calculated based on the load requirements of the granny flat (e.g., lights, plugs, appliances). Typically, a 6mm² or 10mm² cable may be required for this purpose, but an electrician should determine the correct size.

   Circuit Protection
   The cable must originate from the distribution board in the main house, with its own dedicated circuit breaker for protection.
   Install an earth leakage unit in the granny flat’s sub-distribution board for additional safety.

   Inspection and Compliance
   All electrical work must be done by a qualified electrician who is registered with the Department of Labour.
   A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) must be issued upon completion of the installation to certify that it meets SANS 10142-1 standards.

   Important Considerations:

   Trench Safety: Ensure the trench is dug safely, particularly if it exceeds 500mm in depth, to avoid collapses.
   Permits: Check with your local municipality if additional permits are required for the electrical work.
   Future Maintenance: To make future repairs easier, consider marking the route of the cable on a site plan.

   Steps to Follow:

   Engage a registered electrician to assess the load requirements and determine the appropriate cable size.
   Dig a trench at least 500mm deep (or 1m under driveways) along the planned route.
   Lay a sand bed, place the cable, cover with sand, and lay warning tape above the cable.
   Backfill the trench with soil.
   Install all required electrical protection (e.g., circuit breakers, earth leakage units) in compliance with SANS 10142-1.
   Get the installation inspected and obtain a Certificate of Compliance.

   By adhering to these regulations and hiring a qualified electrician, you can ensure that the electrical connection between the main house and the granny flat is safe, legal, and durable.

2. Hi Abubaker, Chasing in Building Blocks for Electrical Installations in South Africa

   In South Africa, chasing into building blocks or walls for electrical installations is allowed, but it must comply with specific standards and guidelines outlined in the South African National Standards (SANS 10142-1), which governs electrical installations, and SANS 10400 (National Building Regulations).

   Key Points to Consider:

   Structural Integrity
   Chasing into load-bearing walls or structural components must be done with extreme caution. Deep or wide chasing can compromise the strength of the wall. Always consult a structural engineer if there is any doubt.
   Horizontal chasing in walls should be minimized as it poses a higher risk to the structural integrity compared to vertical chasing.
   Avoid chasing near corners or at critical structural points such as beams or lintels.

   Depth and Width of Chasing
   The depth and width of the chase must be within limits that do not weaken the wall. As a general guideline, the depth of the chase should not exceed one-third of the thickness of the wall.

   SANS 10142-1 Electrical Standards
   All electrical work must comply with SANS 10142-1, which requires electrical installations to be safe, durable, and properly concealed. Conduits must be installed in the chases to protect the wiring from damage and ensure compliance.
   The conduits should be securely fixed in place, and the chase must be properly plastered to prevent future issues, such as cracking.

   National Building Regulations (SANS 10400)
   SANS 10400 specifies that building work must be done in a way that does not weaken or compromise the safety of the structure. This includes making alterations to walls for electrical installations.

   Use of Conduits
   Electrical wiring should never be directly embedded into the wall without proper conduits or trunking. This is to:
   Protect the wiring from damage.
   Allow for future maintenance or replacements.
   Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards.

   Local Regulations and Inspections
   Some municipalities may have additional regulations regarding wall chasing. It is always advisable to confirm with your local building inspector or electrical inspector.
   Work should be inspected by a certified electrician, and a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) must be issued upon completion.

   Practical Tips for Compliance:

   Plan the Layout: Minimize the number and length of chases where possible by planning the electrical layout carefully.
   Hire a Qualified Electrician: Ensure all work is done by a qualified electrician who is familiar with SANS 10142-1 and local regulations.
   Patch Properly: Once the wiring and conduits are installed, the chase must be filled with a suitable plaster mix to restore the wall’s finish and strength.
   Avoid Overloading Walls: In cases where extensive chasing is required, consider using surface-mounted conduits or trunking as an alternative.

   When Not to Chase:

   Hollow blocks or thin walls: Chasing into hollow concrete blocks or very thin walls can severely weaken the structure. In such cases, alternative methods (e.g., surface-mounted conduits) should be used.
   Structural Walls: Avoid chasing into walls that are critical to the building’s stability without professional advice.

   By following these guidelines and consulting a professional where necessary, you can ensure the electrical installation is safe, legal, and compliant with South African standards.

3. no you must have some sort of protection, warning tape etc, best is to place it in conduit, be sure to check your load

4. it is not legal, each addition should have a new feeder cable installed as the existing feeder cables are be
   designed for a specific load, and should not be used for an extension, of any sort.

5. SABS is the answer, it is legal, as long as you get the result requested

6. no, you must do a proper load flow, staring from the flat, make sure what exact load are reuired, and do a load flow from there, also a armor cable must be used, check your volt drop and amps regarding buried in soil, air, or ducted system, then check your feeder cable and ensure that it can handle the load together with the breaker

7. no, check youe SABS i my years it was a max of 1,5 meter, a plumber wil not know this, but and electrician, it have changed in the years as you can have a cupboard dividing the exact length, and also some water appliances require you a connection within 30 cm from the the unit,

8. Are you allowed to chase in building blocks?
   (Electrical)

9. what are the regulations in running electricity from a main house to a new tech granny flat being built how deep must the cable be buried to cover the 15 meters between them

10. Only a qualified, registered electrician can do this work! If you do it the connection will be illegal.

11. This is not specified in the Building Regs

12. A registered plumber will know the answer to this question – and only a qualified, registered plumber should do the work.

13. Hello, what are the legal requirements when it comes to how far copper Waterpipes should be layed from electrical sockets and or TV outputs. Thanks, TK

14. I am busy converting my garage into a flat. What I like to know is what cable do I have to use to be used to connect the power from the main house to the flat? I running the cable underground and I want to know if I use a 4 mm thick. White insulated 3 core cable if it’s going to be thick enough. Is there a certain type of cable I have to use

15. Hullo,
    what is the minimum distance from a power line that a house can be constructed?

16. I don’t know what you are talking about. What are “compliancestors regulations”? and what sort of wiring?

17. Daniel the NBR govern new construction work and not maintenance. If you are leasing the property, what does the agreement say about maintenance? The norm would be that the owner is liable to fix this kind of damage.

18. Hi, I want to find out something. There is a business in town that needs some electrical repairs on lights came plugs. The plugs are external wall plugs. There is however a problem. The roof leaks and the walls have got water damage and the plaster is busy falling off. The owner doesn’t want to fix the roof or the walls but insist to just fix the electrical problems. Is there a law that regulates repairs as this?

19. Dear Robert

    is it illegal to use a earth incorporated in the cable or must it always have a separate earth(bare)

20. What are the compliancestors regulations regarding black wiring and white wiring running outside the house?

21. Yes… that is why you have three phases!

22. The National Building Regulations do not include electric regs so I really can’t help you.

23. Philo electrics are not covered by the National Building Regulations. You need to contact a registered electrician for advice.

24. Thanks for the compliment, but if you want to use our pix there will be a fee. Let us know what it is that you want to use.

25. Hi.
    Thanks for a well presented site.
    I am busy writing a textbook for school learners in the field Electrical Technology.
    My I use some of the photo’s on your site, it is very clear and show exactly some fundamentals that we look at.
    Regards
    C.Marais

26. What are the rules regarding extending a 15 amp socket without chasing the wall. (Surface wiring). Eg.. how does electrician couple in to the existing socket?

27. I have a house with a 3 phase supply. I’d like to know whether it is legal, when wiring plug points, to have more than one phase per room, e.g. can I distribute my appliance load in my kitchen across all three phases?

28. You have not answered his question

29. You dont need to be registered to wire a house but you would need a registered electrician to do the coc on the house that you have wired.

30. Well you can’t do the work unless you are registered … so get a job with a registered electrician, save up, and get registered.

31. Hi i am a gualified electrician but not registered and i want to wire a house ,what is yo advice dere coz i want mone to get registerd

32. First of all you need approved plans; secondly only a qualified and registered electrician can do the electrics.

33. Hi, I’m in the process of extending my home. This includes the kitchen. Placing electrical outlets (plugs) is my biggest concern. I need to add a number of outlets to the kitchen. Must all outlet points be routed from the floor or can they be extended from the ceiling in the walls (as with lighting) to the wall sockets?

34. You have to be registered to be able to call yourself an electrician. Contact the ecasa Electrical Contractors Ass. They do training and will give you advice.

35. I m n electrician but I have no certificate to prove that i m qualified and i would like to have it but i dont have cash to go to college, how can i get it?

36. Hi Francois, This sounds as though the HOA is paying for the lighting in the garages. This could be a security consideration. This cost will then be shared by all the home owners in the complex through the estates/complex fees/rates and will be quite legal. I suggest that you have a look at your deed of sale. If you do not find anything then you can query this at the next HOA meeting.

37. Subject:
    electricity

    Message:
    Hi i bought a duplex home in a complexs. My garage is freestanding from my home. I have noticed that the power supply for the garage does not come from my DB inside the house. The power for the garage come
    from a central point in the complexs. But the supply for the garage is supplying another 3 garages. Is this installation legal?

38. Moloto you don’t. You get an electrician to do it for you. Furthermore that person must be qualified and registered.

39. How do i connect the surge protector on to a single phase DB connected box?

40. Hi Jan, I guess that you mean the “Flat Twin & Earth” cable. This is widely used under plaster internally nowadays but I doubt if it is ok for external underground use. The normal surfix cable must be run inside conduiting. I suggest you contact either Aberdare Cables— +27 11 396 8000 or the ECASA— 011 392 0000 They will have the specs you are looking for.

41. can you lay 2.5 flat surfix direct in the ground to supply a led pool light