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How does the wiring work? Do I need installation by a qualified electrician?
No, you don't need a professional electrician. The simplest solution is to wire on an ordinary 13 amp plug, and then plug in to an existing socket. You can also wire directly into the mains, and in most cases this can also be done without a professional electrician.
Control options: wall switch, remote control and/or automated wind sensor
Primrose electrical awnings give you maximum flexibility and choice, while at the same time being easy and cheap to install. When you purchase your awning you can have an indoor wall switch only or a indoor wall switch with remote controls. You can also buy an optional wind, sun and rain sensor to go with the remote control kit . The following summarises how the wiring works for each option.
Overview
The awnings have 2.4 metres of 4 core cable coming out of them. The reason the cable coming from the awning is 4 core cable is because this allows for two separate electrical circuits – one circuit for opening the awning and one for retracting it. This 4 core cable wires directly into the wall switch. A standard 3 core mains cable (3 metres supplied) comes out of the wall switch to your mains. You can simply attach a standard 13 amp plug to this mains cable, or it can be wired directly into your mains.
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Indoor wall switch only
(see Figures 1 and 2)
The 4 core cable from the awning must be connected to the wall switch, which you fix to the wall. You then run the standard mains cable (known as 3 core cable) from the wall switch to an indoor mains socket (see Figure 1). This is a relatively simple thing to do and should not need an electrician. It is our understanding that in general this is not notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations (click here for more information).
Alternatively you can wire the indoor wall switch directly into the mains (see Figure 2). You may wish to use a professional electrician to do this. If you do the work yourself it may be notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations (click here for more information); if in doubt it would be prudent to check by telephoning your local building regulations authority (click here for the phone number).
We supply 5 metres of 3 core cable with each awning. If you need a longer length you can purchase it from us (click here) or from any DIY store.
Note that you will need to drill a hole through the wall or find some other way of feeding the wires from the outdoor awning to the indoor wall switch.
Remote control kit (see Figures 3 and 4)
The awnings have 2.4 metres of what is known as 4 core cable coming out of them. The cable contains two separate circuits one circuit for opening the awning and one for retracting it.
The 4 core cable from the awning must be wired into the receiver box. You then run a standard mains cable (known as 3 core cable) from the receiver box to a mains socket (see Figure 3). This is a relatively simple thing to do and should not need an electrician. If the socket is outdoors, make sure it is RCD protected. It is our understanding that this is not notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations (click here for more information).
Alternatively you can wire the receiver box directly into the mains (see Figure 4). You may wish to use a professional electrician to do this. If you do the work yourself it may be notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations (click here for more information); if in doubt it would be prudent to check by telephoning your local building regulations authority (click here and enter your postcode for the phone number).
We supply 5 metres of 3 core cable with each awning. If you need a longer length you can purchase it from us (click here) or from any DIY store.
The receiver box can either go indoors or outside. If you fix it outdoors, you will need to house it in a weatherproof box, as it is not waterproof. The weatherproof box is an extra, costing £9.95 click here to purchase.
Optional wind sensor
(see Figure 5)
This sits on the awning and has its own cable which wires into the receiver box.
Full installation instructions
Click here to read full installation instructions for our electric awnings.
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Note on Part P of the Building Regulations
On the 1st January 2005 a new section of the Building Regulations 2000 came into force affecting the installation of fixed electrical wiring in and around domestic properties.
What does Part P mean?
Work carried out on an electrical installation in a domestic property and any surrounding land and out buildings is now a controlled service under the terms of the Building regulations. Those carrying out the work must demonstrate to the appropriate authority that the installation is fit for purpose, safe, tested and properly documented and certified. In order to comply with Part P, some work must be notified to the Local Council Building Control Department.
Do I need to worry about Part P with respect to installing my awning?
Installation by professional electrician
If the installation is carried out by a professional electrician then the electrician is responsible for ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations you do not have to worry about Part P.
DIY installation
If you install the awning yourself, you may need to notify your Local Council Building Control Department.
It is our understanding that if you simply plug the awning into an existing socket, either indoors or out, then in general there is no need for notification. However every situation is different and you may wish to check by telephoning your local building regulations authority (click here and enter your postcode for the phone number).
If you wire the awning into the mains, then the work may well be notifiable, particularly if you wire it into an external circuit, or into the kitchen or other location defined as special under the regulations. We recommend you check before installing the awning by telephoning your local building regulations authority (click here and enter your postcode for the phone number).
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