Fused RCD spurs

[terryp]

I'm connecting a heated towel rail via a fused RCD spur and have now been asked to add a shaver socket. Both are only 3A load so under 13A. The shaver socket is permanently connected but the towel rail is on a timer. Can both of these be connected to the spur via their own 3A fuses. Cearly the load is ok but they would count as fixed appliances. The alternative would be to do the shaving socket off the lighting circuit but then its not on the RCD!

 

[m4tty]

Aint the shaver socket selv so doesnt need rcd ?? im prob wrong tho

 

[saveloy]

Aint the shaver socket selv so doesnt need rcd ?? im prob wrong tho

You still have to protect the cable supplying it if it is less than 50mm from surf...... (blah blah blah) so unfortunatley it will have to go on an RCD, plus all circuits in a bathroom have to be on an RCD regardless of cable depths.

 

[terryp]

ok but can it go on the same rcd (and therefore spur) as the towel rail?

 

[ghost]

The trouble you will have by doubling up on the spur is you will need to rate the fuse for the total load demanded. You say 6A. Therefore it will need to be a 10A fuse, the cables must be rated for 10A. If the towel rail recommends fusing to 3A the chances are the cable connected by the manufacturer will not be rated at 10A.
I'm not a fan of RCD spurs, I always prefer to try and encourage customers to update their consumer units rather than have spurs all over the place. Bit more expense, but much safer.

Sorry, just read again, you did say through 2x 3A spurs.

 

[terryp]

Yep: my thinking was I can fuse each appliance with a 3amp fuse thus protecting them. The fused spur wiring would be rated up to 13A so could fuse this at the RCD at 10 or 13A. Thus all is good - only concern is that I thought you were only supposed to have one fixed appliance on a spur - but I cant see whats wrong with having another as long as the total load is lower than 13A.