13amp socket for old storage heater

[Martin2102]

Taking a old storage heater off the wall for my brother who would like a single socket in its place.
It has it’s own circuit in the fuse board (b16 breaker)
I know a little about electrics but don’t know if a standard 13amp socket will run off the breaker safely.
Thanks in advance

 

[MFS Electrical]

RCD socket anyone?

Altering the purpose of the circuit though what about the method of installation ie are the cables at a sufficient depth or suitably protected against damage from nails/screws or the like do the walls have metal parts many things to consider... OP is definitely better getting a spark in...

 

[Dillb]

Altering the purpose of the circuit though what about the method of installation ie are the cables at a sufficient depth or suitably protected against damage from nails/screws or the like do the walls have metal parts many things to consider... OP is definitely better getting a spark in...

Not at all, you are only responsible for you install or alter. So a RCD socket will comply with the regs.

 

[MFS Electrical]

Not at all, you are only responsible for you install or alter. So a RCD socket will comply with the regs.

Edit - worded my point better
Yeah the RCD socket will comply for the requirements for all socket outlets to have RCD protection but as you were the last to touch the circuit I think the Derry would fall with you saying that it’s safe for continued use even though the requirements for RCD protection haven’t been met though could smack an RCD spur at the board and then it would comply without having to change the board...

 

[Dillb]

Don’t know if I agree with that viewpoint to be honest I know where your coming from and it probably should be the way it works but I’ve got a feeling that you changing purpose of the circuit and adding a socket to it you should ideally bring the entire circuit up to standard after all you were the last to touch it?

Where have you obtained that snippet of rubbish from?

 

[MFS Electrical]

Where have you obtained that snippet of rubbish from?

I changed the wording about a bit to make more sense as to what I was trying to say

 

[Dillb]

I changed the wording about a bit to make more sense as to what I was trying to say

Theres a difference between good practice and what you can do. There is a big difference in price between doing whats you can do and what could do, so its all down to the customer.

 

[MFS Electrical]

I changed the wording about a bit to make more sense as to what I was trying to say

Theres a difference between good practice and what you can do. There is a big difference in price between doing whats you can do and what could do, so its all down to the customer.

agreed but for the extra expense of adding a RCD Spur at the board meaning everything you altered is now compliant... I’d say if the customer thinks that’s too much extra I’d think it’s not worth it and walk away. remember it would be you standing up in court trying to justify why you left out RCD protection for the circuit not the customer. Would be different if it was like for like replacement ie replacing a 13Ampsocket with a new 13 Amp socket

 

[Martin2102]

Thanks everyone, there board has a RCD in it, and I’m not altering any wires or anything. It’s just a simple matter of taking the storage heater off and using the existing cables to connect a socket.
Works fine but as someone has said it’s on an off peak board so that will have to change.

 

[Dillb]

agreed but for the extra expense of adding a RCD Spur at the board meaning everything you altered is now compliant... I’d say if the customer thinks that’s too much extra I’d think it’s not worth it and walk away. remember it would be you standing up in court trying to justify why you left out RCD protection for the circuit not the customer. Would be different if it was like for like replacement ie replacing a 13Ampsocket with a new 13 Amp socket

Why does the cable need RCD/RCBO protecting if you havent altered it? BS7671 isnt retrospective so only what you install on a circuit has to comply not the whole circuit.

 

[westward10]

agreed but for the extra expense of adding a RCD Spur at the board meaning everything you altered is now compliant... I’d say if the customer thinks that’s too much extra I’d think it’s not worth it and walk away. remember it would be you standing up in court trying to justify why you left out RCD protection for the circuit not the customer. Would be different if it was like for like replacement ie replacing a 13Ampsocket with a new 13 Amp socket

Unless an rcd is required for fault protection then the advice given is correct, fit an rcd socket. There is no need to provide additional rcd protection to the existing circuit as such however, this seems academic as the OP states the board has some form of rcd protection but has not verified if it is 30ma.

 

[MFS Electrical]

Unless an rcd is required for fault protection then the advice given is correct, fit an rcd socket. There is no need to provide additional rcd protection to the existing circuit as such however, this seems academic as the OP states the board has some form of rcd protection but has not verified if it is 30ma.

I hadn’t actually realised that the board had RCD protection but in all cases where I change the purpose of the circuit even I haven’t altered the actual wiring I’ll stick an RCD on it for a couple of extra quid what’s the point in not doing it? As I said but if it’s simply like for like replacement then I wouldn’t I know BS7671 isn’t retrospective but as I said what’s the point in not making a circuit slightly safer for a few quid...

 

[westward10]

It would depend if your alteration would result in the requirement for additional rcd protection. Obviously there is nothing wrong with you doing this but it is not necessarily required.

 

[davesparks]

Edit - worded my point better
Yeah the RCD socket will comply for the requirements for all socket outlets to have RCD protection but as you were the last to touch the circuit I think the Derry would fall with you saying that it’s safe for continued use even though the requirements for RCD protection haven’t been met though could smack an RCD spur at the board and then it would comply without having to change the board...

With an RCD spur that one cable to that point will comply, but every other cable in the installation won’t. So in order for your RCD spur to provide protection if an accident occurs you’d need to make sure that the accident occurs where that cable is buried.

Partial protection is really no protection at all.

 

[MFS Electrical]

It would depend if your alteration would result in the requirement for additional rcd protection. Obviously there is nothing wrong with you doing this but it is not necessarily required.

I agree that it could be considered overkill but just in my opinion it’s better to do it...

 

[MFS Electrical]

With an RCD spur that one cable to that point will comply, but every other cable in the installation won’t. So in order for your RCD spur to provide protection if an accident occurs you’d need to make sure that the accident occurs where that cable is buried.

Partial protection is really no protection at all.

Protection on the circuit you were last to touch though means that if the accident occurs with the circuit you last worked on you’ve done everything reasonably practicable to prevent injury etc.