What type of cable should I use for a garden circuit?

The standard cable for buried garden circuits is Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable, typically 2-core plus earth or 3-core plus earth. SWA cable is mechanically robust and provides protection against damage from garden tools, ground movement, and moisture. The armour also provides a path for fault currents when connected to the earth terminal at both ends. For above-ground cable runs on the exterior of buildings, SWA or MICC (mineral insulated copper clad) cable can be used; alternatively, PVC-sheathed cable can be installed in rigid conduit or trunking for mechanical protection. Ordinary flat twin-and-earth (T&E) cable must not be buried in the ground or run in exposed outdoor locations without mechanical protection.

How deep does outdoor cable need to be buried?

Neither BS 7671 nor the On-Site Guide gives a fixed figure. Regulation 522.8.10 requires a buried cable to have an earthed armour or metal sheath (or to run in a duct giving equivalent protection), to be marked by cable covers or marker tape, and to be at a sufficient depth to avoid damage from any reasonably foreseeable disturbance of the ground. In practice many electricians bury garden cables at around 500mm or more, deeper where the ground will be dug or driven over, and lay marker tape well above the cable.

Does RCD protection apply to all outdoor socket outlets?

Yes. Regulation 411.3.3 of BS 7671 requires additional protection by an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA for socket-outlets rated up to 32A, and for mobile equipment rated up to 32A used outdoors. This applies to all garden socket outlets, regardless of their position or height. In practice, all outdoor socket outlets in domestic gardens should be RCD protected at 30mA as a minimum, which is best achieved by using an RCBO at the consumer unit or by connecting to an RCD-protected way.

What IP rating is required for outdoor socket outlets?

Outdoor socket outlets must be rated for outdoor use, with a minimum IP rating of IP44 (protection against solid objects greater than 1mm and against water splashing from any direction). For socket outlets in exposed garden locations (on posts, on external walls where rain can fall directly), IP65 rated outlets are recommended — this provides protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction, which is more appropriate for the UK weather. IP44 is the minimum for a sheltered outdoor location such as under a pergola or covered patio. IP44 sockets on an exposed wall are technically compliant but will deteriorate faster than IP65 rated alternatives.

Is a garden shed supply notifiable under Part P?

Yes. A new supply to a garden shed involves a new circuit originating at the consumer unit or a new sub-circuit from an existing consumer unit. A new circuit is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. If you are registered with an approved competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA), you can self-certify the work. If not, building control must be notified before work commences. Wales has its own Part P with a wider list of notifiable work, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards systems.

Can I use an ordinary extension lead to power outdoor garden equipment?

Extension leads designed for indoor use should not be used outdoors permanently. Standard extension leads are not rated for outdoor conditions (they lack IP protection) and they do not provide RCD protection unless a specific RCD adapter is fitted. For temporary use of outdoor power tools, a suitable outdoor RCD adapter plug (30mA, available from electrical wholesalers and DIY stores) provides a level of protection when plugged into an indoor socket. However, for any permanent outdoor electrical supply — a garden socket, outdoor lighting, shed supply — a properly installed, permanently wired circuit is required.

How should I route cable from the house to a garden shed?

The two main options are underground (buried SWA cable) or overhead (aerial cable). Underground is the preferred route for most domestic installations because it is hidden and protected. The cable should be buried at the a sufficient depth (Regulation 522.8.10; around 500mm or more is common practice), with cable tiles above the cable and warning tape above that. Mark the route and keep a record of it. For overhead routes, the minimum clearance is 3.5m above ground level (5.8m where vehicles pass, IET On-Site Guide Table D2) and the cable span must not impose excessive mechanical tension — a catenary wire or a self-supporting cable should be used for spans over approximately 3m. Overhead cables are subject to wind loading and UV degradation; they are less preferred than buried cables for long-term reliability.

GARDEN ELECTRICAL GUIDE

Garden Electrical Wiring Regulations: SWA Cable, RCD, and Compliance

Garden electrical installations require armoured cable, correct burial depths, mandatory 30mA RCD protection under Regulation 411.3.3, and IP-rated outdoor equipment. This guide covers everything from cable selection to Part P notification for outdoor circuits.

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12 min readUpdated 2026-06-10Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key takeaways

01BS 7671 Section 714 covers outdoor lighting installations; Section 705 applies to agricultural and horticultural premises, including outbuildings on farms. Both apply to garden electrical work in different contexts.
02Armoured cable (SWA — Steel Wire Armoured) is the standard for buried garden circuits. BS 7671 sets no fixed burial depth: Regulation 522.8.10 asks for armour or an equivalent duct, a marker tape or cable covers, and sufficient depth to avoid foreseeable ground disturbance. Many electricians work to around 500mm or more in gardens.
03Regulation 411.3.3 of BS 7671 requires 30mA RCD protection for socket-outlets rated up to 32A and for mobile equipment up to 32A used outdoors, which covers garden sockets.
04Outdoor socket outlets must have a minimum IP rating of IP44 and must be RCD protected. Garden sockets on posts or walls should be weatherproof enclosures rated IP65 for long-term reliability.
05In England, a new circuit is notifiable under Part P, so a new supply to a shed, summerhouse or detached garage normally is. Extending an existing circuit outdoors is not notifiable on its own.

01 · Garden Electrical Guide

Garden Electrical Regulations: The Basics

Garden and outdoor electrical installations are more demanding than indoor domestic work because of the environmental conditions — weather exposure, moisture, mechanical damage from gardening, and the increased risk of electric shock outdoors where the earth is a better conductor than a dry indoor floor.

BS 7671 contains specific requirements for outdoor electrical installations, including Section 714 (outdoor lighting installations) and the general requirements of Part 4 and Part 5 for cable selection, protection against the effects of weather, and RCD protection. New circuits in dwellings, including garden and outdoor circuits, are notifiable under Part P in England.

The three critical areas of compliance for garden electrical work are: using the correct cable type and burial depth, providing mandatory RCD protection, and using IP-rated equipment suitable for outdoor use. Getting any of these wrong creates a risk of electric shock or fire.

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02 · Garden Electrical Guide

Relevant BS 7671 Sections: 714 and 705

Two sections of BS 7671 are particularly relevant to garden and outdoor electrical work:

Section 714 — Outdoor Lighting

Section 714 applies to permanent outdoor lighting installations, including garden lighting, pathway lighting, security lighting, and external building illumination. Key requirements include: RCD protection for all outdoor lighting circuits, IP-rated luminaires appropriate to their location, and correct cable selection for outdoor use. Section 714 also covers festoon and decorative lighting, but temporary seasonal outdoor lighting connected via a standard socket outlet is generally treated under the socket outlet RCD protection requirements rather than Section 714.

Section 705 — Agricultural Premises

Section 705 applies to agricultural and horticultural premises, which includes outbuildings on farms, stables, and market garden installations. It requires 30mA RCD protection for all socket outlets, specific requirements for luminaires in locations where livestock is present (to avoid damage from animals), and earthing requirements for farm buildings. For domestic outbuildings that are not on agricultural premises, Section 705 does not directly apply, but its principles (robust installation, IP-rated equipment, earthing) represent good practice.

For most domestic garden electrical work, the general requirements of BS 7671 (Part 4 protection requirements, cable selection from Part 5, and the RCD rules in Regulation 411.3.3) are the primary applicable standards. Section 714 applies specifically where a permanent outdoor lighting installation is being created.

03 · Garden Electrical Guide

Armoured Cable (SWA) Requirements

Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable is the standard for buried garden and outdoor circuits. The steel wire armour provides mechanical protection against accidental damage from spades, forks, and other garden tools, and also provides an earth continuity path when correctly terminated.

Cable type
2-core SWA (for single-phase supplies with earthing via the armour) or 3-core SWA (for single-phase supplies where a separate CPC is required). The armour must be connected to earth at both ends via suitable SWA glands. SWA cable is available in conductor sizes from 1.5mm to 300mm and above.
Termination
SWA cable must be terminated using appropriate brass SWA glands at both ends. The armour is clamped between the inner and outer cones of the gland and must make good electrical contact to provide the earth continuity path. Inside the consumer unit or distribution board, the armour is terminated to the earth bar via the gland plate. Outside (at the garden socket or shed consumer unit), the armour is connected to the earth terminal of the enclosure.
Cable sizing
Garden cable must be sized for the load it supplies, accounting for burial depth (which reduces the cable's ability to dissipate heat). SWA cable buried in the ground can carry more current than the same cable installed in thermal insulation. Use the cable sizing calculator and check voltage drop for the cable run length.

04 · Garden Electrical Guide

Cable Burial Depths

The minimum burial depth for cables in gardens is specified to protect cables from accidental damage during routine gardening. These depths are the minimum — deeper installation provides greater protection.

Location	Common practice*	Notes
Garden (general)	0.5m (500mm)	Cable tiles and warning tape above the cable
Under paved areas (patio, paths)	0.45m (450mm)	Paving provides some mechanical protection
Under driveways (vehicles)	0.6m (600mm) preferred	Or use heavy steel conduit for additional protection
Where depth cannot be achieved	Any depth	Additional mechanical protection (conduit) required

*These are common trade practice, not BS 7671 figures. Regulation 522.8.10 requires only a depth sufficient to avoid damage from any reasonably foreseeable disturbance of the ground.

Mark the cable route on an as-installed plan — cable routes should be recorded on an as-installed drawing given to the homeowner. This is essential for future gardening or building work. Cable route maps should show the route from the consumer unit to each termination point with accurate dimensions from fixed reference points.

05 · Garden Electrical Guide

RCD Protection — Regulation 411.3.3

Regulation 411.3.3 of BS 7671 is the mandatory RCD protection requirement for outdoor socket outlets. It requires socket-outlets rated up to 32A, and mobile equipment up to 32A used outdoors, to be protected by an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA.

This requirement is non-negotiable — there is no circumstance in which an outdoor socket outlet in a domestic garden can be unprotected by a 30mA RCD. The reason is straightforward: outdoors, a person using electrical equipment is often standing on damp ground, which provides a better earth connection than a dry indoor floor. This means that a much smaller fault current can cause a fatal shock, and 30mA RCD protection is essential to disconnect within the time limits required by BS 7671 before a fatal shock can occur.

Best practice: Use an RCBO (combined MCB and RCD) at the consumer unit for each outdoor circuit — provides both overcurrent protection and 30mA RCD protection on a dedicated way, so a nuisance trip on the outdoor circuit does not affect other circuits.
Alternative: Connect the outdoor circuit to an RCD-protected section of a split-load consumer unit. All circuits in that RCD section will be protected, which meets the requirement.
RCD at the socket: An RCD-protected socket outlet (with built-in 30mA RCD) can also be used, but only where a single outdoor socket is being added and replacing the socket with an RCD type is the most practical option.

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06 · Garden Electrical Guide

Outdoor Socket Outlets

Outdoor socket outlets must meet specific standards for weatherproofing and safety. The requirements are:

Minimum IP44 — protection against solid particles and water splashing from any direction. IP44 is the minimum for outdoor use in sheltered positions. IP65 (protection against low-pressure water jets) is recommended for exposed positions.
RCD protected at 30mA — mandatory under Regulation 411.3.3. The RCD can be at the consumer unit (RCBO or RCD-protected way) or built into the socket outlet.
Weatherproof covers — all outdoor socket outlets should have spring-loaded covers that close automatically when the socket is not in use. Some socket units include a lid that can be closed with a plug inserted ("in-use" covers), which provides protection against rain when equipment is connected.
Mounting position — outdoor sockets should be mounted on a wall or post at a convenient height (typically 0.75m to 1.2m from the ground), clear of water run-off from above, and not in a position where they will be submerged in standing water.

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07 · Garden Electrical Guide

Garden Shed Electrical Supply: Best Practice

Supplying a garden shed with electricity is one of the most common garden electrical jobs. Best practice involves a dedicated circuit from the main consumer unit, SWA cable buried at the required depth, a consumer unit in the shed for local protection, and earth electrode provision if required.

Dedicated circuit from main CU
The supply to the shed should be a dedicated circuit from the main consumer unit, protected by an RCBO or MCB of appropriate rating. Do not share the garden shed supply with other circuits. Size the cable for the maximum load in the shed — typically a 20A or 32A circuit depending on whether power tools, heaters, or EV chargers will be used.
Consumer unit in the shed
The shed should have its own small consumer unit (typically 4 to 6 way), which provides local overcurrent protection and isolation. This allows the shed's individual circuits (lighting, sockets, specific equipment) to be controlled and protected independently.
Earth electrode for TT systems
For sheds that are not connected by a metallic armouring to the main building earth (TT system), an earth electrode (earth rod) must be installed at the shed to provide a local earth reference. The electrode resistance should be measured and must be low enough for the RCD to operate within the required disconnection time. See the outbuilding electrical supply guide for TT earthing details.

08 · Garden Electrical Guide

Part P Notification for Garden Circuits

New circuits are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. For garden work that typically includes:

New outdoor socket circuits
New permanent garden lighting circuits
Supply to a garden shed, summerhouse, or detached garage
EV charger supply in the garden or driveway
Any new outdoor water feature or pool electrical supply

Register with an approved competent person scheme to self-certify garden electrical work and issue the Electrical Installation Certificate on site. This satisfies Part P without building control involvement.

09 · Garden Electrical Guide

For Electricians: Garden Electrical Work in Practice

Garden electrical work is high-value, repeat-business territory. Homeowners investing in garden landscaping, outdoor entertaining spaces, and garden offices are willing to spend on quality electrical installations. A professional job — correct cable, correct depth, IP-rated equipment, properly certified — builds lasting customer relationships.

Cable Sizing and Voltage Drop

Long garden cable runs can cause significant voltage drop. Use the cable sizing calculator to confirm the SWA cable size is adequate for the run length, and check voltage drop with the voltage drop calculator.

EIC Certificate on Site

Issue the Electrical Installation Certificate on site before you leave. Include the cable route description, burial depth, and the as-installed details. The homeowner gets their certificate immediately and your Part P self-certification is processed automatically by your scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Electrical Wiring

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