Grid Switch Recommendation

[andyh]

Hi All,

Starting the design of the electrics for the kitchen & utility in a new build. I'm looking to put a grid switch in the utility and one in the kitchen. I'm currently looking at the MK ones but has anyone any other recommendations?

Also looking for some advice with regards cabling the grid switch. The utility one will have washing machine, tumble drier, water control valve, rain harvesting pump, UFH manifold control and treatment plant. I was intending to put fused connection units for each appliance but that means having the fuse located behind the appliance. I know you can put fuse units in the grid switch but this would look rather odd if each appliance had a fuse unit and switch. Any other suggestions?

Also is there still a requirement to have the switching within 2m of the appliance?

 

[Sintra]

IMO if you are using a grid switch use MK.

 

[alexg]

30cm to 3 meters for oven dp switch if over 13 amps - building regs.
If 13 amps or less plug in or sfu or sfu and flex out plate wherever you like. Isolation in this case is via mcb according to regs. If built in however then sockets /sfu /fo plate needs to bs accessible for msinetenance, ie on wall behind unit next to appliance.

 

[bugsy]

No point in putting a fused cu behind appliance if the plugtop's fused .

 

[Sav]

Hi,
I once put in a grid for a kitchen, whereby the switches were on top ( 4 ) and below were the fuses (again 4 ).

But as Bugsy said, if appliances have plug tops, no need to install fused units.

Hope this helps,

Sav

 

[andyh]

Yes that's if the plugs are left on! I prefer connecting the power lead directly to the FCU as it takes up less space behind the appliance. Before anyone says it can void your warranty, I know some manufacturers state this but I still prefer wiring direct.

Seems the options are to leave the FCU behind the appliance or have a simple flex outlet plate behind and a fused unit above. I think I'll do what I've always done and install a FCU behind the appliance.

Thanks guys.

 

[Roger]

I know its an old thread,but interesting to me anyway.

Looked a large kitchen install today and customer said he would be interested in a grid plate in the ultility room so he could isolate everything from there if there was problems.

So I was thinking one new kitchen ring for standard double above worktop sockets.Then from Grid plate run radials to connection points either above cupboards or below worktop and would be a selection to suit what appliances are there and whether plugs are on or not.I was thinking of running a couple of 4mm feeds from CU to Grid then i could feed up to 3 appliance connections subject to loading.Fuses to be in grid plate or do FCU near appliances

Appliances have to be within 3 meters of isolation point according to building regs ? is that right ?

If cooker is on 6mm can you get a DP switch on a grid to do that or not ? need to look at MK website.

what have others done ? Lots of thoughts in my head ,all suggestions welcome

 

[mogga]

one problem with puting cooker on a grid(if the 45a dpsw is available) would be the amount of cables in the box its gonny be tight with a ring and the outgoing cables at 2.5 but a 6mm would make it very tight IMO Id stick with a ccu near the cooker as your going to have sockets above worktop anyways it wouldnt look out of place either also wouldnt like the Idea of having 2 circuits in the grid switch with appropriate lables would sort of defeat the reasoning for having a grid switch ie looking better