Electric fire circuit issue

adsmith · Jan 21, 2019

I have been given from a friend an electric fire as seen attached. The fire comes all as one with fire surround and hearth with a power cord and 3 pin plug at the end. The fireplace is rated at 2kw. As far as I was aware this is ok to just plug into my downstairs ringmain. Am I correct With that, it’s just I’m now reading threads online saying they require a dedicated circuit or even an FCU. Seeing as the plug is fused I would have thought this was unnecessary. Is this fireplace not basically a portable appliance. Any help would be greatly thanked just confused and need some clarification

[ElectriciansForums.net] Electric fire circuit issue

dmxtothemax · Jan 21, 2019

2kw ? That's a pretty solid load,
I would be very wary about putting a load like that on any circuit,
Without first knowing whats already on it ?

Gareth Brookes · Jan 21, 2019

Thats 8.7A a ring final circuit is protected by a 32A breaker as long as you dont have a lot of other apliances using the circuit then all should be ok as long as the fire isnt faulty

littlespark · Jan 21, 2019

Depending on the age of your house, you may have a dedicated socket for a fire.

Does the ring circuit also serve the kitchen, as that is where most of the other high load appliances are. Kettle, washing machine etc

Take the kW rating of appliance,convert to W, devide by 230v and get the amps that the appliance will take.
Ie 2kW.... 2000W / 230 = 8.7A

I think it will be fine.

Pete999 · Jan 21, 2019

adsmith said:
I have been given from a friend an electric fire as seen attached. The fire comes all as one with fire surround and hearth with a power cord and 3 pin plug at the end. The fireplace is rated at 2kw. As far as I was aware this is ok to just plug into my downstairs ringmain. Am I correct With that, it’s just I’m now reading threads online saying they require a dedicated circuit or even an FCU. Seeing as the plug is fused I would have thought this was unnecessary. Is this fireplace not basically a portable appliance. Any help would be greatly thanked just confused and need some clarification

View attachment 47304

It's a recommendation thay loads of 2KW and over are wired on their own circuit, It's will be a fixed appliance and will be subject to testing as per ISITEE CoP (PAT)

Wilko · Jan 21, 2019

Hi - very handsome fireplace ! No need for a fused connection unit as the plug should have a 13A fuse inside. Maybe check its not been replaced with a screw or something.

.

Pete999 · Jan 21, 2019

Wilko said:
Hi - very handsome fireplace ! No need for a fused connection unit as the plug should have a 13A fuse inside. Maybe check its not been replaced with a screw or something. .

Maybe get it teste before fitting. Morning Wilko

Wilko · Jan 21, 2019

Morning Pete !
I'm just sitting by my heater having a cup of tea. Nowhere near as fancy but does the job. Before anyone asks, no it is not on fire ...

adsmith · Jan 21, 2019

Hi guys thanks for the replies.
The ring main I have been using to power the heater is just for the downstairs ( excluding the kitchen, that is on its own circuit) so basically the downstairs ringmain is feeding lamps, TV equipment and occasionally the iron when the ironing needs doing. It’s a bit misleading if appliances 2kw and above should be on their own circuit but come with a three pin plug. But as you say that’s a recommendation

Pete999 · Jan 21, 2019

adsmith said:
Hi guys thanks for the replies.
The ring main I have been using to power the heater is just for the downstairs ( excluding the kitchen, that is on its own circuit) so basically the downstairs ringmain is feeding lamps, TV equipment and occasionally the iron when the ironing needs doing. It’s a bit misleading if appliances 2kw and above should be on their own circuit but come with a three pin plug. But as you say that’s a recommendation

Please don't call the circuit "a ring main" it grates on me

these circuits have a new designation "Ring Final Circuit" not to be confused with a Radial Final Circuit, bot unfortunately can be shortened to RFC for short, which can cause confusion to some, tin hat on awaiting the deluge of "old thread" "Pedant" or Pete's on the crusade again,"dumb" "dislike" etc

Taylortwocities · Jan 21, 2019

Bad day, Pete?
Or, is it because today is what is known as Blue Monday?

Deleted member 26818 · Jan 21, 2019

The fact that the fire comes with a 3 pin plug attached, does not preclude it from being on it’s own circuit.

Pete999 · Jan 21, 2019

spinlondon said:
The fact that the fire comes with a 3 pin plug attached, does not preclude it from being on it’s own circuit.

Agree

davesparks · Jan 21, 2019

Pete999 said:
It's a recommendation thay loads of 2KW and over are wired on their own circuit, It's will be a fixed appliance and will be subject to testing as per ISITEE CoP (PAT)

Where is this recommendation you often quote? It's not in bs7671 because that only mentions cooking appliances over 2kW, not all loads over 2kW.

It does say that comprehensive space heating shouldn't be shouldn't be on the ring, but a single portable heater which the manufacturer has supplied fitted with a plug is hardly comprehensive space heating is it?

Barnaby Stedman · Jan 21, 2019

The actual wiring of the thing is quite simple really - just work out the load of the heater - which has been done already for you - think whether there is quite a high load going to be running on the circuit at the same time as the heater being on. If there isnt plug it in and away you go. I think it should be fine considering that the kitchen is on a seperate circuit

Electric fire circuit issue

adsmith

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dmxtothemax

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Gareth Brookes

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littlespark

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Pete999

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Wilko

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Pete999

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Wilko

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adsmith

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Pete999

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Taylortwocities

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Deleted member 26818

Pete999

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davesparks

Barnaby Stedman

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