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the yesyes observatory - the build


yesyes

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all the cables for lights and switches go in there. I want to be able to remote control everything through my home automation. There will be electronics in that box that will allow lights to be switched either remotely or with the wall switches. Only one of the cables is a mains feed for the box.

The sockets are wired separately as a ring (well, 3 rings ;) )

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  • 2 weeks later...

oooops, forgot the usual update...

I made a start on the ceiling insulation but ran out of insulation roll. That was one of the hardest jobs so far working overhead with that huge ply sheet alone.

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Then, since I couldn't finish the ceiling I carried on connecting the electrics.

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Brilliant :)  I used a broom to hold my plywood panels up - supported on steps and bits of wood to give the right height.  I didn't have any help with that pert either.

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before I forget again, here's the usual weekend update. ;)

I bought another roll of loft insulation for the last bit of ceiling. I used less than a metre of that roll. Not sure what to do with the rest. Seems a shame to just throw away. Anyone interested? ;)

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Then I put the remaining ply sheet up on the ceiling. Am I glad that's done now!

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then I installed the fuse box on the wall

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On Sunday I wired it up

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Then moved all the remaining timber (I bought far too much...) to the warm room and started putting up the ply sheets in the scope room.

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I only managed to put up one sheet, then Christmas preparations stopped play.

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Yes, it feels good to get the plywood up and the place looking much tidier :)  Certainly looking good :)  Maybe one day I'll suddenly get the urge to put the finishing touches to mine (D section strips over the joins and quadrant in the corners).

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Hi Chris,

Great job you are making of your obsy, it's going to be quite a place when finally finished... Well done that man.

One minor problem though... your SWA installation does not comply with regulations.

The SWA cable should be terminated at the Distribution/fuse box via a proper SWA internal connection Gland like this one: -

http://www.screwfix.com/p/tower-internal-gland-kit-20s-ip54-pack-of-2/40782

With the steel armour connected to EARTH.

The other end should also be terminated using the same gland if it is an internal connection and likewise the steel armour connected to Earth.

If the other end is an outdoor connection then this should use the following type of gland: -

http://www.screwfix.com/p/tower-external-gland-kit-20-ip66-pack-of-2/56505

Again, with the steel armour connected to EARTH.

A single core within the cable will not constitute a good earth connection over a long distance, and this would prevent Earth Leakage Breakers operating properly, if fitted at the obsy end.

These glands come in different sizes and the correct size for your cable should be obtained... the ones linked too may not be the correct size, but are shown as a guide.

Don't want you getting into trouble with regulation inspectors at this late stage... to say nothing of Earth related problems. :eek:

Stay Safe.

Have a great Christmas and a very Happy , and cloud free, New Year.

Best Regards.

Sandy. :grin:

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Yeah, I'll probably re-do this SWA termination. I do actually already have the correct glands.

Regarding connecting the armour to earth, are you sure that's required? I did a search on that and all I could find is that it MAY be used as earth if there's no dedicated earth wire (i.e. 2-core cable with armour), otherwise connecting the armour to earth is optional. The SWA was already installed from the house to an outdoor junction box right outside the obsy and there the armour is also not connected to earth. If it is required, I'll change it (maybe it wasn't required back when it was installed?). I just didn't want to create a "loop" with the only connection between the earth wire and the armour being at the far end of the cable in my obsy.

The RCD is at the house end (was already installed) and it's quite a short run of cable; about 17 metres.

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At least one end must be connected to earth - that's how the SWA protects anyone who cuts the cable - instant short circuit and blown fuse.

In some situations you must connect both ends (using it as an earth, wanting to increase capacity of a separate earth) an in others you must not connect the distant end (TT system).

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OK, makes sense. Ideally that connection would be in the fuse box inside the house? I have not checked there, don't really want to open our main fuse box. ;)

In the outside junction box in the garden it's definitely not connected. So it looks like I will have to connect it there and then connect it through to the few metres of SWA that goes from that junction box to the obsy. I wanted to re-do that junction box anyway as it looks quite old.

The house has a TN-S earthing

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The good thing about having moved to a different country is that I don't need to take part in elaborate family Christmas celebrations but have time for more important stuff - finishing my observatory. :D

So today I finished lining the scope room with ply sheets.

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a bit more progress

mounted the back boxes for the IP66 sockets in the scope room. The cables had to come in from the back, so I sealed the entry point and the screws with aquarium grade silicone. I also finally replaced the socket on the pier with an IP66 one.

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I left the silicone to cure for 2 days, then connected the sockets.

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The first lamp went in in the scope room (warm white 10W LED flood light). There ill be another one like this in the other corner and also 2 red ones (12V, dimmable)

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And then I cleared out the scope room and swept it. Still needs to be hoovered and then the carpet tiles can go in.

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  • 2 weeks later...

No need for a ring, radial would be fine - still, I imagine most won't originate from the CU. Depending on the breaker it may need 4mm2 cable rather than 2.5mm2.

Not quite sure what this refers to. An older post maybe? ;)

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ah, almost forgot again. Very little progress last weekend due to continuous rain. Can't really see much with the roof closed and no lights working yet. I did connect up some more lights. Electrics are almost done now.

One other question came up though which I could use some advice on. Some time ago I got left over carpet tiles from work. The idea was to use them throughout the obsy. I've got more than enough for the whole obsy but I started wondering whether it is such a good idea to cover the scope room floor with carpet. Would I get problems with moisture? Do your obsy floors get wet from dew?

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I used a rubber truck mat on my obsy floor, easy to clean if the weather gets in, also i wouldn't do carpet because you've potentially a static electricity build up and secondly, no matter how hard you try you'll end up dragging dirt in from the garden into your obs. If i were out spending my money now it would be a Vinyl floor tiles, easy to clean and you can get some quite good effects.

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