Boiler control fed from plugtop

[spud1]

Hi All,

Just had a call from a customer who has asked me to replace his switched fused spur for his boiler control into a single 13A socket and to put a plug top onto the supply flex.
His reason is, so when he gets a power cut he can can plug the boiler control into his small Honda petrol generator via an extension lead (portable site type).
I can see his logic but I am dubious about taking the fixed equipment of the boiler control off of the hard- wiring, it goes against the grain a little bit!
He is quite persistent but is a good customer so don't want him to think I'm being awkward, so need to back it up with a regulation but cant think what?

Thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Leesparkykent]

You won't find one as its perfectly acceptable to have it on a plug top. The socket should ideally be unswitched so the plug top has to be removed to isolate.

 

[telectrix]

no reason not to. 3A fuse in the plug top and away you go. the plug/socket gives you local isolation which is all the regs. require.

 

[davesparks]

You'll be hard pressed to find a regulation to prevent this.

But unless the generator has a decent regulated voltage output he may find he ends up with an expensive repair bill to fix the damage it could do.

 

[telectrix]

he'd probably be better off using a pure sine wave inverter off a car/leisure battery.

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

Agree with all, no problems with the plug top but as Dave says,generator could be the problem; though not yours.

Beaten to an answer.

Regards.

 

[Dave OCD]

A 13amp plug with the correct fuse fitted is actually quite a good method of isolation for a boiler as even plumbers will/might understand that removing the plug will isolate the power. :smile5:

 

[7029 dave]

Yes nothing wrong, I don't like it, bit DIY IMO.

 

[Blademan_98]

Mine is on a plug. It came with the house like that
Unswitched as others have said.

 

[Paul.M]

How many power cuts does he have normally?

If Grid power cuts are a common problem you could install a duel supply Isolation switches set up at the CU. Wont look very pretty in a domestic home but it is suitable for his needs/concerns. Locking off is essential and an instructions list will have to be placed near the Iso set up but it is do-able and can feed the house (obviously only for restricted circuits... lights, small socket circuit and his boiler).

Only done this once in a remote country side house but it works great. All depends on the home owners ability to understand the importance of locking off Generation supply whilst under Grid supply etc etc etc. Also change the generator plug to a 16A commando

 

[spud1]

Thanks all for your comments, really helpful. I will go ahead and do it for him based on everyone's approval! via un-switched outlet as suggested.

Thanks again

 

[DPG]

Mine is on a 13A plug with a 3A fuse fitted. As others have said, there's nothing wrong with it at all. Daz

 

[AndrewMgan1976]

You'll find the gas man will come out for a boiler service and tell him that it has to be on a Switched Spur Outlet but plug and socket set up is absolutely fine

 

[DPG]

You'll find the gas man will come out for a boiler service and tell him that it has to be on a Switched Spur Outlet but plug and socket set up is absolutely fine

Yeah I've heard that also. Bet they can't give a good reason for it though eh! Daz

 

[AndrewMgan1976]

Yeah I've heard that also. Bet they can't give a good reason for it though eh! Daz

Only thing I can think of is that it is in the manufacturers instructions.