CH Boiler, BS1363, PIR

[ackbarthestar]

Good morning all and sundry,

Went to have a look at a small job the other day where a Gas fitter had fitted a new boiler and a BS1363 plug to temporarily fire it up and wanted me to replace the plug with a SFCU. I said Ok I'll have a look.

Now, when I got on site, I took one look at the condition of the kitchen wiring and made a decision that the electrical wiring required a PIR. I then asked to have a look at the CCU and was told that it was unavailable because her husband was ill in bed.... Fine I thought, no problem. call me back when I can get access.

So the boiler's electrical supply is connected via a switched plug and socket, and as far as I'm concerned that is Ok because it provides both isolation and overcurrent/fault protection. However, the gas fitter states that the Gas regulations require the boiler to be hard wired, I disagree.

What's your thoughts on the matter?

 

[lamb]

Refer to appliance manufacturer's instructions

 

[Amp David]

Some boilers that i've seen being fitted have been supplied with a moulded plug fitted. Tend to be the cheaper end.

 

[ackbarthestar]

Refer to appliance manufacturer's instructions

Well different manufacturers state different things, something along the lines of:

1/ this appliance requires connection via a 3A fuse

2/ This appliance must be hard wired via a Fused connection unit with isolator

3/ This appliance may be connected to a bs1363 plug with a 3A fuse

4/ This appliance should be connected to a SFCU or maybe connected to a unswitched 13A mains plug with a 3A fuse

5/ If in doubt consult a hairdresser! (no only kidding - I made that bit up )

 

[Geordie Spark]

Good morning all and sundry,

Went to have a look at a small job the other day where a Gas fitter had fitted a new boiler and a BS1363 plug to temporarily fire it up and wanted me to replace the plug with a SFCU. I said Ok I'll have a look.

Now, when I got on site, I took one look at the condition of the kitchen wiring and made a decision that the electrical wiring required a PIR. I then asked to have a look at the CCU and was told that it was unavailable because her husband was ill in bed.... Fine I thought, no problem. call me back when I can get access.

So the boiler's electrical supply is connected via a switched plug and socket, and as far as I'm concerned that is Ok because it provides both isolation and overcurrent/fault protection. However, the gas fitter states that the Gas regulations require the boiler to be hard wired, I disagree.

What's your thoughts on the matter?

I don't see a problem with using a plug top - in fact, the boiler in my own house was wired this way until I replaced it with a new which I hard wired.

I'm not aware of anything in the Gas Regs. that state it must be hard-wired unless changes have been made since I did my re-assessment 2 years ago.

That said, I always think that if in doubt, read the manufacturer's instructions. It IS a requirement in the Gas Regs. that ALL documentation - including the Installation & servicing manual - be left with the customer so it "should" be there for you to read !!

 

[Knobhead]

5/ If in doubt consult a hairdresser!

You would probably get more sense!

 

[Rockingit]

British Gas for certain used to/do fit thousands of boilers on plug tops, don't see an issue personally.

 

[Rockingit]

I've also never understood the regulation for not having an immersion tank on a plug top, and I asked my last NICEIC inspector about it, and he didn't either; made some calls up the tech chain of command, and it seems the NICEIC don't understand why it's in the regs too.

 

[needasparks]

I've also never understood the regulation for not having an immersion tank on a plug top, and I asked my last NICEIC inspector about it, and he didn't either; made some calls up the tech chain of command, and it seems the NICEIC don't understand why it's in the regs too.

Not sure if its correct but i asked this when was training just a few years ago, lol.
And the ole boy i worked with said it originates when people had an airing cupboard in their bathroom and more regard was given to not having a socket in the bathroom, this was a time when common sense was quoted in the regs rather than health and safety though.

 

[Richard]

I've also never understood the regulation for not having an immersion tank on a plug top, and I asked my last NICEIC inspector about it, and he didn't either; made some calls up the tech chain of command, and it seems the NICEIC don't understand why it's in the regs too.

I'v seen plenty of 3kw fan heaters with scorched plugs. I think although their rated for 13A, their not good at holding 13A for prolonged periods, like an immersion heater would.

Rich

 

[ackbarthestar]

I'v seen plenty of 3kw fan heaters with scorched plugs. I think although their rated for 13A, their not good at holding 13A for prolonged periods, like an immersion heater would.

Rich

I somehow don't think that an ignition, thermostat, frost stat, electronic programmer, motorized valves fused at 3A on a BS1363 is going to stress the plug.

I suspect its to discourage home alone Alzheimer patents pulling the plug out and then phoning 999 to say that their heating has died ! and then somebody complained to somebody else and the view was to apply the lowest common denominator factor should be applied to all condensing boilers

 

[Richard]

I somehow don't think that an ignition, thermostat, frost stat, electronic programmer, motorized valves fused at 3A on a BS1363 is going to stress the plug.

Neither do I. But then again, that isn't what I said!!

 

[alli]

Some boilers need the pumps to keep on running to push the heat out of the boiler otherwise they shut down on overheat. Could it be as simple as fitting a FCU stops the plug being pulled out of a socket to plug in the hairdryer or whatever, which would avoid any problems with the boiler?

 

[ackbarthestar]

Some boilers need the pumps to keep on running to push the heat out of the boiler otherwise they shut down on overheat. Could it be as simple as fitting a FCU stops the plug being pulled out of a socket to plug in the hairdryer or whatever, which would avoid any problems with the boiler?

That sounds reasonable

 

[Rockingit]

I'v seen plenty of 3kw fan heaters with scorched plugs. I think although their rated for 13A, their not good at holding 13A for prolonged periods, like an immersion heater would.

Rich

I read an ESC report on this issue a while back, to do with using 13A outlets as recharge points for electric cars. The research concluded, if I remember rightly, that there was no detrimental effects by using them at high current loads over prolonged periods.

And Needa - yes, that was the conclusion of the NICEIC too, that it's just a historic hangover and now doesn't really need to be there.