2 Washing Machine & 2 Tumble Dryers

dgm8000 · Apr 30, 2020

Hi all
I would like your opinion on the set up my landlord is presenting me before he gets (his own) electrician in.

we will be moving in soon and in the utility room we will be taking 2 tumble dryers and 2 washing machines. (At the moment in our current house we can only use a max of 2 appliances at once) setup is
2 double sockets connected to a 13amp isolation switch. Which I’m guessing is connected to the kitchen ring to the 32amp switch on the fuse box
When we use more then 2 appliances the 13amp fuse blows.

Anyway the new landlord said his electrician said he can connect to previous ring in kitchen (32amp at fuse box) add a 20amp isolation switch to go to 2 double sockets.

I’m just after an opinion as it’s “his” electrician and want to make sure I know what I’m talking about if I question him.

I’m thinking to tell him it would be better to run a 6mm t&e from fuse box (looking at 25m of cable) to the utility and having an isolation switch (don’t know what one)

thanks in advance

James · May 1, 2020

I would try not to get too involved in the specifics of how the sockets are supplied, what cables and breakers etc they use.

I don’t like the idea of a 20A isolation switch unless it is fused, as I think it is likely to run over 20A regularly and it is being protected by a 32A breaker or fuse.

Diversity can be applied to this circuit but would have to take into consideration other devices that are connected to it, maybe an ovan or hob?

Send them a quick email with your concerns about not enough power.
Something along the lines of,

Dear ........
Thank you for looking into organising extra sockets in the laundry room, after discussing it with a friend in the trade I have the following concerns.
The sockets are to be used for supplying 2 x washing machines and 2 x tumble driers.
Wash machines are 2200w each and tumble driers are 2800w each (update figures with what is written on the machine name plates.
The total load adds up to 10 000w (10Kw)

All 4 machines will regularly be running simultaneously and I wanted the electrician to be aware of this before starting the job.

My main concern is that together they are likely to be using more than 20A for some considerable period of time.

Thanks again for getting this sorted.

Wilko · May 1, 2020

Hi - it sounds like the existing arrangement was a 13A fused spur taken from a 32A ring final circuit. With 2 or more large appliances connected it’s not a surprise that little 13A fuse pops. Going forward, I would like to add a new 32A rated circuit if you want to be able to simultaneously run those 4 large appliances.