5 kitchen sockets from 1 FSU

[Sintra]

The circuit in itself although not ideal is compliant. If you have concerns why not have a chat with the installer.

 

[Marvo]

I guess only time will tell then. I suspect you won't have grounds to force him to reinstall it at his expense unless it's an annoyance due to fuses blowing.

*Edit* As Sintra suggests maybe have a civil conversation with him and express your concerns that although it's compliant to regs it might be overloaded.

 

[Adam W]

Don't ask for bacon cooked on the George Forman, a cup of tea, toast and microwaved scrambled eggs at the same time whatever you do

AKA 'breakfast'. With this setup you can't cook breakfast. Inconvenient.

 

[DaveyD]

OK, well what I was trying to get at was well put by Marvo. Your electrician knows that the 2.5 twin and earth (if installed clipped or buried in plaster for example) will be good for 27a (it will take less than this if installed in some other methods). He could not leave it protected by the circuit breaker at 32a that the ring main is on because you could potentially draw more than 27a on those five socket outlets - therefore he put in a 13a before the 5 sockets so that the spured cable is protected from overload. Personally I cannot see how you could justify him to change it for safety reasons. He may already have tested what your appliances are actually drawing.
I hope that makes sense.

 

[Octopus]

This addition was done this week. The other electrics were completed in Feb

The "other" electrics, were they in the kitchen too?

What paperwork were you given? if it was the kitchen did you get the LABC notification?

 

[MDJ]

Also, I'm a little uncomfortable, given the number of radio ads about overloading four way bars are fires. Not least since the install is the reinstatement after a fire

now you are trolling, ridiculous

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

So this ring he spurred from...what was the reason given for not simply extending it?

Edit:- Just re-read OP, it's a spur, not a ring - DOH!

 

[stranded]

Just dont turn them all on at once

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Be interesting to know where the original 'spur for fridge' came from and if it was reasonably easy to run a second cable to it and extend current ring.

A thought. If you use loop in/out to every alternate socket, what do you do with the cable that is just passing by a socket when on a horizontal run? Does it go below/above the back box or is it fed through the back box? I'm asking as it's a method I've not used, or can remember using! But then, I can't remember what I did last Sunday!!

 

[andy33gmail]

If you like, I can send you a copy of the certificate, and a link to the fire brigade website, and you can check the addresses match!

No one from the LA inspected to my knowledge, but I wasn't always on site. I have: "Building Regulations 'Part P' Compliance Certificate"..."Rewire of all circuits"

 

[trev]

The guy came up with this arrangement on a rewire? Crikey!

 

[DaveyD]

The guy came up with this arrangement on a rewire? Crikey!

Post #6 Trev, an afterthought after 3 months.

 

[trev]

Post #6 Trev, an afterthought after 3 months.

Well spotted Davey

 

[Outspoken]

It could be argued that considering the location of the circuit it is a reasonable conclusion that the load on the circuit, even for short duration, may exceed 13A and as such just assuming the fuse will protect the circuit, thus allowing short or even extended duration low level overloads IS a breach of the Regulations as required by 433.1.1

Every circuit shall be designed so that a small overload of long duration is unlikely to occur

I would also proffer the suggestion that the installer has not given adequate consideration to 433.1.1(i)

The rated current or current setting of the protective device (I[SUB]n[/SUB]) is not less than the design current (I[SUB]b[/SUB]) of the circuit

Consideration should always be given to how a circuit is to be used, and whilst in a little used room in a domestic premises the solution would be 100% acceptable, this is a situation where lack of adequate planning and forethought has meant the installer has, whilst compliant in one sense, is not compliant because of the reasons in 433.1.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I will be honest, I have done the exact same thing for a client. For two double sockets supplying kettle, toaster, radio and a spare. So not as potentially heavily loaded as the OP. I explained the limitations and possible issues that may arise. I also explained the correct way it should be wired. The client did not want to renew tiling etc so this was pretty much the only option remaining.

To date they have not had to replace the FCU fuse that I know of. I do not feel it breaches 433.1.1 as any overload would be for a short period of time, not a "long duration".

What do others think is the best option: down rating cct to 20A or doing as has been done in the OP, given that redecoration is a no-no (is'nt it fickling always!!!)??