Power Circuit Extension Athlone | Power to New Areas

About Power Circuit Extension in Athlone

Power circuit extension involves running new electrical cabling from your existing installation to areas that currently have no power or insufficient power. This is commonly needed in Athlone when homeowners convert garages into living spaces, build granny flats or garden cottages, create outdoor entertainment areas with lighting and power, extend workshops or add outbuildings, or add power to carports and covered parking for EV charging.

Extending power to a separate structure or distant area of your property requires careful planning. The cable must be correctly sized for the expected load and the distance - longer cable runs experience voltage drop, which means the cable size must be increased to compensate. For runs over 20 metres, voltage drop calculations are essential to ensure appliances at the far end receive adequate voltage. The cable route must also be properly protected: overhead cables need to be at minimum heights above ground, and underground cables must be armoured (SWA - Steel Wire Armoured) or run through ducting at minimum 450mm depth with marker tape.

For substantial extensions such as granny flats or converted garages with multiple circuits, we recommend installing a sub-distribution board at the remote location. This sub-board has its own circuit breakers and earth leakage protection, fed by a single heavy cable from the main DB board. This provides better protection, easier fault isolation, and the ability to add circuits locally without running more cable back to the main house.

This is one of several specialist services we offer under power points & wiring in Athlone. As part of our Athlone electrical team, we bring over 25 years of hands-on experience to every job.

Power Circuit Extension in Athlone - Abacas Solution

When to Call for Power Circuit Extension

Call when you need power in a garage, outbuilding, granny flat, or garden office, when you are converting a garage to living space and need proper electrical circuits, when you want outdoor power and lighting for entertainment areas, or when you need to run power to a distant part of your property.

Our Power Circuit Extension Process

1

Load Assessment

We discuss what electrical capacity you need at the remote location - how many sockets, lights, and fixed appliances. This determines the cable size for the supply feed and whether a sub-board is needed.

2

Route Survey & Design

We survey the cable route from the main DB board to the new area, identify obstacles, and design the installation. For underground routes, we plan trenching paths. For overhead routes, we plan pole positions and cable heights.

3

Cable Installation

The supply cable is installed along the planned route - underground in ducting or armoured cable, or overhead on catenary wire. At the remote end, a sub-board or socket outlets are installed as designed.

4

Testing & Certification

The complete extension is tested for insulation resistance, earth continuity, voltage drop, and correct protection. The sub-board and all circuits are verified. A CoC is issued covering the new installation.

Property owners in Athlone often combine power circuit extension with plug & socket installation in Athlone and additional power points. We handle everything, so you only need one call.

Safety & Compliance

Underground cables must be armoured (SWA) or run through impact-resistant ducting at minimum 450mm depth with yellow marker tape 150mm above the cable. Cable routes must be recorded on a plan for future reference. Overhead cables must be at minimum 3.5m above ground (5.2m above driveways). Sub-boards must have their own main switch, earth leakage protection, and independent earth electrode if the structure is separate from the main building. All circuit extensions must comply with SANS 10142-1 and require a CoC.

Power Circuit Extension Cost in Athlone

Power circuit extension costs vary widely based on distance and capacity. A simple extension to a nearby garage (10-15m cable run) with 2-3 sockets and a light costs R2,000-R5,000. A full sub-board installation to a granny flat (20-40m underground cable run) with multiple circuits costs R8,000-R20,000. Underground trenching adds R150-R400 per metre depending on soil conditions. SWA armoured cable costs more than standard cable. Overhead installations require poles and catenary wire, costing R1,000-R3,000 per span.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run power to my granny flat from my main DB board in Athlone?

Yes. We install a sub-feed cable from your main DB board to a sub-board in the granny flat. The sub-board has its own breakers and earth leakage protection. The cable is run underground in armoured cable or ducting. This is a common and compliant installation.

Do I need a separate DB board in my outbuilding?

For anything more than a single light and socket, we recommend a sub-board. It provides proper circuit protection locally, makes fault-finding easier, and allows future circuit additions without running more cable back to the main house.

How deep should underground electrical cables be buried?

SANS 10142-1 requires a minimum depth of 450mm (600mm under driveways or areas where vehicles may pass). The cable must be armoured (SWA) or run through impact-resistant ducting. Yellow marker tape is placed 150mm above the cable to warn future excavators.

Can I extend power to my garden for outdoor plugs and lights?

Yes. We run weatherproof cable from a nearby circuit or the DB board to outdoor positions. All outdoor connections use IP-rated weatherproof enclosures. The circuit is protected by an RCBO for earth leakage safety in the outdoor environment.

What is SWA cable and why is it needed?

SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) cable has a layer of steel wire armour between the insulation layers, protecting the conductors from mechanical damage when buried underground. It is required for underground cable routes where ducting is not used. It can also be surface-mounted on walls for protection in industrial areas.