Extractor hood supply

[saucyjack]

Guys, I've discovered that the supply to the above extractor is actually via a plug and socket which is covered by the upper (square) section of the hood. The fuse has gone in said plug (due to a bulb blowing in the hood), and the only way to access the plug is to remove the whole lower pyramid section of the hood from the wall, then drop down the upper square section, consequently disturbing any finishing filler around the upper edge, along with a line of grout where the lower section meets the edge of the tiles; all this to change a bloody fuse!! Sooo, does anyone know of any reason, regs-wise etc. why I shouldn't put in an FCU, probably to the left of the upper square part of the hood? I don't believe this area gets excessively hot, due to the presence of the hood itself, and although maybe not the most aesthetic of solutions, it's got to be better for my client than removing the whole shebang when a bulb blows for instance!! Not sure who installed this, but it's a nightmare.
Cheers in advance for any advice

 

[Guest112]

Means of isolation needs to be accessible and readily identifiable or suitably labelled.

A socket inside the appliance is neither accessible nor readily identifiable, I think your only chance of compliance is if you have fitted a label to the hood detailing the location of the isolator.

I agree, I would always fit an isolator out in the real world but in my house I didn't/couldn't the board is about 5 metres away mind so there's my isolation lol

 

[wozz]

Means of isolation needs to be accessible and readily identifiable or suitably labelled.

A socket inside the appliance is neither accessible nor readily identifiable, I think your only chance of compliance is if you have fitted a label to the hood detailing the location of the isolator.

I should imagine the MCB will cover most of that.

 

[davesparks]

If the mcb is labelled properly it could fulfill the above, yes.
But that is not the only requirement for an isolator is it? They should also be provided for each appliance, so unless it's on its own circuit then the mcb isn't so great.

And dare I mention good practice?

 

[Badged01]

But that is not the only requirement for an isolator is it? They should also be provided for each appliance, so unless it's on its own circuit then the mcb isn't so great?

Setting aside good practise, point to a reg that says that! Does each appliance have to have a seperate means of isolation from all other appliances on the circuit or will one isolator that does all suffice?

 

[Darkwood]

In line plug and socket behind chimney box fed from socket or spur elsewhere - can be safely isolated for maintenance on what might be a kitchen fitter changing the fan.... simples

 

[davesparks]

Setting aside good practise,
?

You can't just set aside good practice, it is a fundamental requirement!

 

[Badged01]

You can't just set aside good practice, it is a fundamental requirement!

Says who? If you are following regulations then you are doing all that is required of you!

 

[davesparks]

Says the regulations in the fundamental principals section.

That is a bad attitude to have, a skilled tradesman should always strive to do the best job he can, not just the minimum he can get away with.

 

[Badged01]

Says the regulations in the fundamental principals section.

That is a bad attitude to have, a skilled tradesman should always strive to do the best job he can, not just the minimum he can get away with.

Balderdash! The regs make no reference to "best practise" as the regs themselves are effectively best practise in 'ensuring' compliance to statutory regs (e.g. EAWR's). You follow the regs (BS7671) then you have most likely met all the legal requirements of statutory regs.

Whether you consider that sufficient is another arguement as to your professionalism .....

 

[davesparks]

The fundamental principles of the regulations require good workmanship, which is synonymous with good practice.

What is the argument as to my professionalism please? And as you say 'another' then what were the others?

 

[Guest112]

the way I see it is that my cooker hood (and most) came on a plug top so it needs as much local isolation as a bedside lamp haha

 

[davesparks]

Yes it does need as much local isolation as a bedside lamp, an easily identifiable and accessible means of isolation.

With the bedside lamp you easily identify the means of isolation (plug) by following the flex. Not so easy when it's hidden inside the appliance.

 

[Badged01]

What is the argument as to my professionalism please? And as you say 'another' then what were the others?

Its a turn of phrase not aimed at you! What I'm saying is that meeting the regs is the minimum required, whether an electrician then wants to go further and meet good practise becomes a question of his professionalism! But by meeting the regs has has done what is required of him.

 

[davesparks]

It's not a turn of phrase I have heard before, and certainly didn't read that way.

I don't agree I'm afraid, for a start there is a regulation specifying good workmanship which as I said before is synonymous with good practice.
And an electrician is a skilled tradesman and should uphold the best standards, there is a lot more to be a tradesman than knowledge of, and ability to comply with, regulations.

 

[Badged01]

I don't agree I'm afraid, for a start there is a regulation specifying good workmanship which as I said before is synonymous with good practice.

So who defines and regulates good practise?

You only have to read the threads on here to see there are numerous ways to doing things -- some I believe good, some I believe bad -- but nearly all meeting regs!