Ring main or Radial for sockets in extension?
- Thread starter uptown47
- Start date
Yep, that's what I was thinking also. The washing machine / dryer sockets are behind those appliances so not easily accessible (without dragging them out from under the worktop) so a fused spur is a quick and easy way of isolating them. I suppose it's just preference though. I'll probably do it that way as, at the moment, the extension build is just a blank canvas - no plasterboard etc - so very easy to work in.
ThanksThanks, I've already got the FCU's on the wall so will just re-run the cable to the new outlets. As you say, it's handy to have that isolation switch
An old electrician I know runs ( or at least he did before retiring ) a separate Earth conductor from the last socket on a radial back to the CU to create a "ring" of the Earth conductor. He referred to it as a way to ensure Earth continuity and I believe he adopted this following an incident that resulted in injury.
High integrity earthing - done for other reaasons.
One might be cruel and say "Too late".
Or
Campaign for all appliances to have two earth terminals like sockets so that it may be done on all circuits.
One might be cruel and say "Too late".
Or
Campaign for all appliances to have two earth terminals like sockets so that it may be done on all circuits.
If you want an isolation switch fit a double pole switch not a FCU. But if the machine develops a fault it will need to be pulled out anyway to fix it so no real need for local isolation.Thanks, I've already got the FCU's on the wall so will just re-run the cable to the new outlets. As you say, it's handy to have that isolation switch
What’s that supposed to mean?
This is completely true.
Conceptually, if you have both a fused plug and a fused connection unit on the same load, either or both might blow in the event of a fault, which might be slightly inconvenient.
IME, the fuses on household appliances burn out approximately zero times per lifetime of appliance.
I did once have a moulded plug fuse pop repeatedly after a burst pipe had poured filthy sooty water over it. I cut off the plug and fitted a new one on the flex and it has never blown again.
20A switches are more expensive than 13A spurs.
The problem is you need to know which one has the fault to pull out! (its always the last one)
Switching them off helps you know which one, rather than pulling them all out
The problem is you need to know which one has the fault to pull out! (its always the last one)
Switching them off helps you know which one, rather than pulling them all out
The cost is irreverent, and the difference is not much in the scheme of things. Do it right not the absolute cheapest.
this, too, is completely true.
in a kitchen, especially, I would say it is best practice to have switches or FCUs running along the wall in a row above the worktop for the appliances beneath, and those above such as extractor hoods, and including spare ones for places where you might possibly want another appliance in future. Your numerous switched double sockets should be in the same row. This is quick and easy and economical when you are wiring a kitchen.
It's not really wrong either.
Winston's opinions can be ignored.
There is nothing about using an FCU that is "wrong"