How do you get round kitchen FCU's

[David.]

I've read on other websites people not happy about having FCU's for appliance's hidden in cupboards or under sinks etc. Or not happy with socket outlets been behind appliances (washing machine etc). My washing machine socket is behind my drawer but it doesnt bother me as im not unplugging it everyday.

Surely though nobody wants 4, 5, 6+ FCU's above the work surface?? Would just look total poop

How are you supposed to win?

cheers

 

[slocm3105]

Just put plenty of sockets in the kitchen and a fused spur next to each for as many appliances they need. Doesn't look bad at all.

 

[Sav]

Hi David,
How about a nice multigrid . You can get say a 4 gang grid with switches that are engraved e.g dishwasher, washing machine, oven etc etc.
You can have 3 gang , 4 gang or 6 gang switch, ie. 3 on top and 3 below. You can configure the grid, for example have the outlet behind the appliance, say washing machine and have the engraved switch on the multigid. Or if your not have a plugtop on the washing maching but a flexed outlet, then you can get an unswitched fuse which again sits in the multigrid below the relevent switch.
These multigrids come in chrome as well. I have fitted a few to customers kitchens and they like them due to everything being neat and tidy, instead of having a lot of fcu's along the kitchen !!!
Hope this helps, if only slightly......

Best regards mate,
Sav

 

[slocm3105]

Hi David,
How about a nice multigrid . You can get say a 4 gang grid with switches that are engraved e.g dishwasher, washing machine, oven etc etc.
You can have 3 gang , 4 gang or 6 gang switch, ie. 3 on top and 3 below. You can configure the grid, for example have the outlet behind the appliance, say washing machine and have the engraved switch on the multigid. Or if your not have a plugtop on the washing maching but a flexed outlet, then you can get an unswitched fuse which again sits in the multigrid below the relevent switch.
These multigrids come in chrome as well. I have fitted a few to customers kitchens and they like them due to everything being neat and tidy, instead of having a lot of fcu's along the kitchen !!!
Hope this helps, if only slightly......

Best regards mate,
Sav

But if you do that make sure you get a decent make like Crabtree so that you can almost guaruntee getting replacement switches that will fit the grid . Will save you a lot of time if you ever get called back there .

 

[SparkyDave]

agree with the grid comment.

looks 100 times better IMO.

Always go for the MK ones myself.

 

[Sav]

On my last job, I used Hamilton, which were good, but like the guys say, use ones that are good fitment ( like Hamilton ), or G.E.T, or Mk, again one of the best.
Thanks again guys and speak soon,
Sav

 

[adam.h]

Have a dedicated cupboard for th FSU's.

 

[parkerbloggs]

which do prefer: wire the grid as part of the ring or individual radials. if its a 32A ring circuit will the 20A grid switches be under rated?

 

[Eggster71]

If the CCU's not too far from the kitchen I'll sometimes run the appliances as radials with labelled FCUs adjacent to the board.

 

[Amp David]

Just put plenty of sockets in the kitchen and a fused spur next to each for as many appliances they need. Doesn't look bad at all.

Don't think there's anything poop about this method either.

 

[tigerpaul]

I agree with the gird method, and when I done it, it was wired as a ring. I didnt think about the switches being underrated at the time. But you're right, they are..

 

[sparks1234]

Sockets in the cupboards adjacent to the appliance

 

[Sav]

The cupboard idea is good, but sometimes the customer puts their plates and/or cuttlery inside the cupboard and switches them off . Seen this on callouts, where the customer says their washing machine is not working, only for me to simply switch the isolator on again !!!!
I wish I had just these all day !!!
Sav

 

[rme]

I agree with the gird method, and when I done it, it was wired as a ring. I didnt think about the switches being underrated at the time. But you're right, they are..

If you wire the grid switch as part of the ring, then from the DP 20a Grid Switch feed a 13 Amp Grid Fuse Unit then off to your single socket outlet in 2.5mm cable the switch would only ever be switching 13amps max?

Anyone else got any views on this?