16A off 32A ring

[John-SJW]

How do you guys get over taking an appliance which is 16A off a 32A ring?

thx

 

[Spoon]

How do you guys get over taking an appliance which is 16A off a 32A ring?

thx

You just wouldn't to it and give the 16A item it's own dedicated circuit.

 

[James]

We don’t, dedicated supply to a 16A appliance

 

[Pete999]

How do you guys get over taking an appliance which is 16A off a 32A ring?

thx

I wouldn't, I would install the item on it's own dedicated circuit

 

[John-SJW]

I wouldn't, I would install the item on it's own dedicated circuit

If easy to to do, but in some cases not so. The ring can take a 16A draw off it as from a spur using a MF junction box, and 2.5mm cable, is fine. These commercial plugs can do it, but boy are they clunky. But the ring would have to be dropped to a 20A mcb.

Also using a Wylex 104 switch fuse which will take a 16A cartridge off the 32A ring and the above commercial socket and plug off the 104 switch.

Also splitting the ring into two 16A radials - if it can be done of course.

How have others got around it? Must be a number of ways. Many Continental appliances state 16A.

 

[Pete999]

If easy to to do, but in some cases not so. The ring can take a 16A draw off it as from a spur using a MF junction box, and 2.5mm cable, is fine. These commercial plugs can do it, but boy are they clunky. But the ring would have to be dropped to a 20A mcb.
View attachment 60830

Also using a Wylex 104 switch fuse which will take a 16A cartridge off the 32A ring and the above commercial socket and plug off the 104 switch.

Also splitting the ring into two 16A radials - if it can be done of course.

How have others got around it? Must be a number of ways. Many Continental appliances state 16A.

A spur using MF JBs may sound OK but remember an FCU will have a 13Amp fuse in it,

 

[Julie.]

If easy to to do, but in some cases not so. The ring can take a 16A draw off it as from a spur using a MF junction box, and 2.5mm cable, is fine. These commercial plugs can do it, but boy are they clunky. But the ring would have to be dropped to a 20A mcb.
View attachment 60830

Also using a Wylex 104 switch fuse which will take a 16A cartridge off the 32A ring and the above commercial socket and plug off the 104 switch.

Also splitting the ring into two 16A radials - if it can be done of course.

How have others got around it? Must be a number of ways. Many Continental appliances state 16A.

Absolutely NOT.

I suggest you consult the regulations, in particular 433.1.204

16A outlet - 16A radial.

 

[John-SJW]

A spur using MF JBs may sound OK but remember an FCU will have a 13Amp fuse in it

Was think of the Wylex switched fuse with 16A fuse in it off the ring, then the commercial 16A socket.

 

[Julie.]

Was think of the Wylex switched fuse with 16A fuse in it off the ring, then the commercial 16A socket.

Still absolutely not.

When installing whatever is added/changed must be to the regulations.

 

[Taylortwocities]

How have others got around it? Must be a number of ways. Many Continental appliances state 16A.

Basically we don’t “get around it” as you so charmingly put it. Anyone worth their salt will comply with BS7671. It is not allowed for the reasons above.
The ethos of a ring final is for distributed loads with a maximum of 13A on any point. See Appendix 15 for clarification.

Many continental appliances indeed state 16A. Jonny foreigner doesn’t indulge in ring finals and the standard circuit is a 16A radial. Which is what you need to install!

 

[John-SJW]

Was thinking of the Wylex switched fuse with 16A fuse in it off the ring, then the commercial 16A socket.

I have actually seen this done. It may be against 'regs' but electrically sound and safe. Only the one 16A appliance could use the socket outlet because of the commercial plug & socket.

Just wondering how people got around it without running a new radial back to the CU.

As I mentioned splitting the ring into two radials is an option. But this raises another flag. A 16A radial may have a number of 13A sockets in series on it. Either the 16A appliance can be hard wired into the radial, with cable outlet, or fit the commercial plug/socket.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Suggest you ask on another forum. The Screwfix one maybe has the sort of getting around the regs ‘advice’ that you are looking for.

 

[Julie.]

I have actually seen this done. It may be against 'regs' but electrically sound and safe. Only the one 16A appliance could use the socket outlet because of the commercial plug & socket.

Just wondering how people got around it without running a new radial back to the CU.

As I mentioned splitting the ring into two radials is an option. But this raises another flag. A 16A radial may have a number of 13A sockets in series on it. Either the 16A appliance can be hard wired into the radial, with cable outlet, or fit the commercial plug/socket.

So if I read that right - and paraphrase:

I know/agree it is wrong, and could result in prosecution against a professional electrician if they do it.

So please could people confirm if they have done it?

What next: times, places, details - please also provide details of your defence lawyer?

 

[John-SJW]

All say a 16A appliance cannot be taken off a 32A ring because the regs say so, even though it can be done quite safely - and I have seen this done. Fine, I go with that, as we are all best going one way

I pointed out splitting the ring into two 16A radials, bringing up the point that a radial created out of the split may have 13A sockets on it, but a 16A commercial socket/plug can be fitted for a 16A appliance - unlike the Continent we do not have 16A sockets/plugs. I see no one took this one up.

 

[James]

It would not be a good idea in my opinion.

The whole idea of a circuit feeding several sockets should be able to provide for the expected loads placed on it.

So a 16A appliance on a 20A circuit would lead to a circuit breaker tripping every time more than 4A was spread across the 13A sockets.

I suggest you do some diversity calculations and see if it is acceptable.