appliances in kitchen having seperate switching eg by fused spur

[Daveyboy]

Hi guys, can anyone point to the building reg about appliances in the kitchen having a seperate switching, e.g washing machine under a worktop- socket under the worktop supplied from fused spur above. Thanks.

 

[telectrix]

appliances should have accessible means of isolation. this can be achieved by means of a FCU, or D/P switch/es. above worktop.

 

[Daveyboy]

do dont happen to know the reg for that do you?

 

[telectrix]

not off hand. not sure if there is a reg. as the socket into which the appliance is plugged is a means of isolation. it's just convenience in not having to drag a heavy washing machine out to isolate. if there is a specific reg. i'm sure some one else can point to it .

 

[Des 56]

Accessability is a loose term that wont have given situatiuons to reference in the brb

First of all,its an interpretation by the designer of what is accessable
To some a socket behind a washer is not accessable,to another,by moving the washer, the socket is accessable
Each to argue the case as he sees fit

The reg number that references accessability comes under fundamental principles in chapter 13
132.12

 

[Daveyboy]

In theory if you had means of isolation for each appliance, you could end up with a lots of switches/FCUs (I know you could have a grid switch). just got me thinking- like for a cooker hood in a kitchen could just have a single socket where the hood will go so you can just plug it in (behind the housing) or would you need a means of isolation elsewhere?

 

[mattmoo1974]

I put a FCU next to the exhaust hose for mine and the cover hides it nicely.
You ve still gotta pull the cover off(which is stainless steal) to isolate.
I think you can just bend this rule to suit yourself tbh.

 

[Octopus]

In theory if you had means of isolation for each appliance, you could end up with a lots of switches/FCUs (I know you could have a grid switch). just got me thinking- like for a cooker hood in a kitchen could just have a single socket where the hood will go so you can just plug it in (behind the housing) or would you need a means of isolation elsewhere?

Not sure that a socket (behind the housing) would be accessible.

My interpretation of accessible is visible!

 

[1shortcircuit]

My interpretation of accessible is

Can be accessed without the use of a tool/s

:thumbsup

 

[moody89]

In theory if you had means of isolation for each appliance, you could end up with a lots of switches/FCUs (I know you could have a grid switch). just got me thinking- like for a cooker hood in a kitchen could just have a single socket where the hood will go so you can just plug it in (behind the housing) or would you need a means of isolation elsewhere?

All of the work I do for the local authority has DP switches for all appliances and to be fair this does make the place look very busy, particularly if there's only a small kitchen. But thats their spec I guess! I'd agree that a grid switch would be the neatest and most professional solution if this was deemed to be essential.

 

[buttonmoon]

Hello

[h=3]"Disconnection of equipment[/h]The means of isolation from the electricity supply must be readily accessible to the user,
i.e. in normal circumstances it must be possible to reach the plug and socket without to much difficulty."

This is a requirement relating to the equipment rather than the electrical installation.

Part of a PAT test.

 

[rsmck]

In my last kitchen all the appliances were simply fed through holes in the floor and plugged into 13A sockets intended for the purpose (and labelled) in the basement - there was an easy means of isolation, but it did involve going into the basement - fine for maintenance though (e.g. changing / repairing an appliance) not so helpful if you needed a way to isolate it quickly.

 

[Knobhead]

Here’s a conundrum for you.
I’ve just moved to a new flat, the kitchen is fitted with FCU’s for the usual stuff. Now I plugged in the washing M/C, etc, then thought about it. The appliance is fitted with a fused plug, and as far as the washing M/C is concerned inaccessible. In effect I’ve now got two fuses in series, not good practice in my eyes. With the fridge the upstream fuse can be down graded to 5A and a 13A fitted to the appliance which will give the discrimination preference to the FCU. But as to the washing M/C?

I think I’ve still got some ¼” round copper off cuts somewhere.

I’m going to fall on the side of DP isolators.

 

[oxocube]

I’m going to fall on the side of DP isolators.

I agree, never understood why some sparks use a fcu to isolate a socket.

 

[Octopus]

If you use grid switches you "only" get double poled isolation so a 2nd fuse isn't essential. The key to the reg, IMHO, is accessible isolation, not fused isolation!