New 13a outlet

[matt75]

Hi

I am new to these forums and not an electricain, however feel confident doing minor works replacing faceplates and light switches.

I have a question which you may be able to answer with regard to a new 13a switched outlet i want to install in a bedroom.

The point I want to install the outlet in used to be a immersion heater switch. This water heater was removed long ago and when british gas installed the boiler they ran a new spur from this switch to a 3A fused switch. My question is can I replace the old immersion switch with a 1 gang 13a switched socket and connect the 3A spur to this.

I hope this makes sense and any feedback welcome.

Thanks

 

[stephenf8542]

What size of fuse is protecting it?

 

[matt75]

What size of fuse is protecting it?

It's a 15 amp fuse in the fuse board

 

[not clever]

You can, but you'll be needing to install an rcd to the circuit.

 

[matt75]

My whole fuse board is the original Wylex one , with fuse wire fuses. I have seen the Wylex retro fit RCD's that fit in to the unit, would you suggest replacing all of the fuse wire fuses with these, or just replace the whole unit with a new consumer unit.
I have spoken to 2 electricians on replacing this board and both seemed reluctant to do it for some reason?

 

[Mac]

My whole fuse board is the original Wylex one , with fuse wire fuses. I have seen the Wylex retro fit RCD's that fit in to the unit, would you suggest replacing all of the fuse wire fuses with these, or just replace the whole unit with a new consumer unit.
I have spoken to 2 electricians on replacing this board and both seemed reluctant to do it for some reason?

Get an electrician in mate.The immersion should be on it's own circuit anyway.Why are they reluctant to do the job.Possibly it will need more work doing to it.When you change the board to a new 17th edition board,this is when you normally find all the faults.You should have a periodic inspection done on the wiring to see if you have any problems and well before the board is changed.What are you going to use the 3A spur for anyway

 

[matt75]

Get an electrician in mate.The immersion should be on it's own circuit anyway.Why are they reluctant to do the job.Possibly it will need more work doing to it.When you change the board to a new 17th edition board,this is when you normally find all the faults.You should have a periodic inspection done on the wiring to see if you have any problems and well before the board is changed.What are you going to use the 3A spur for anyway

Hi

The immersion was on its own circuit but the immersion was removed when i had gas central heating installed. British Gas re-used the old cable that came from the immersion on/off switch and connected a 3A fused outlet which the new boiler is connected to. I wanted to know if i could replace the immersion on/off switch with a single switch socket to run TV/ Sky etc... and keep the 3A spur to the boiler in place off the back of this new socket.

I don't know why none seem keen to change it, the house is 1978 build. I know the original electrian did not want to do it because we used to have eco7 heating but thats long gone.

Thanks

 

[Mac]

Hi

The immersion was on its own circuit but the immersion was removed when i had gas central heating installed. British Gas re-used the old cable that came from the immersion on/off switch and connected a 3A fused outlet which the new boiler is connected to. I wanted to know if i could replace the immersion on/off switch with a single switch socket to run TV/ Sky etc... and keep the 3A spur to the boiler in place off the back of this new socket.

I don't know why none seem keen to change it, the house is 1978 build. I know the original electrian did not want to do it because we used to have eco7 heating but thats long gone.

Thanks

You can do it mate,but if anything goes wrong with your combi boiler and British Gas come out,they may say that your guarantee is void.Only a thought

 

[baldsparkies]

It's never easy giving advice to the general public when they want to attempt diy work on electrics. The introduction of part P is an attempt to cut back on such action so bear this very much in mind.Having said that,and taking what you ask at face value I am left with the following conclusion.
The only work you intend is to change an existing double pole immersion switch for a single 13A socket outlet that is fed from a radial circuit which has a switch fuse spur at the end of that radial run.
You are not adding to the circuit and no additional wiring is involved,also your replacement socket outlet is not intended to supply outdoor equipment and you are not in a controlled area ie kitchen or bathroom.
Rewirable fuses at your consumer unit are still legal even under current regs,mainly because you have an existing installation that has been wired to an earlier addition of BS7671 ie Fourteenth with 1974 ammendments.
If you really feel competent, and the above is correct, then I would say fine. However bear in mind that you need to be sure you have a good earth return path to allow a disconnection time of 0.4 seconds for your rewirable fuse thats 2.04 ohms maximum (How will you check this ?) along with insulation resistance ie 1 Meg ohm minimum at 500 volts dc again how will you check this ? also correct polarity.
The list goes on and where safety is concerned you really need to consider elements of what you intend in ralation to things you probably would never consider, all the above are however common knowledge to most of the electricians on this site. Bottom line,
I'ts your choice.

 

[matt75]

It's never easy giving advice to the general public when they want to attempt diy work on electrics. The introduction of part P is an attempt to cut back on such action so bear this very much in mind.Having said that,and taking what you ask at face value I am left with the following conclusion.
The only work you intend is to change an existing double pole immersion switch for a single 13A socket outlet that is fed from a radial circuit which has a switch fuse spur at the end of that radial run.
You are not adding to the circuit and no additional wiring is involved,also your replacement socket outlet is not intended to supply outdoor equipment and you are not in a controlled area ie kitchen or bathroom.
Rewirable fuses at your consumer unit are still legal even under current regs,mainly because you have an existing installation that has been wired to an earlier addition of BS7671 ie Fourteenth with 1974 ammendments.
If you really feel competent, and the above is correct, then I would say fine. However bear in mind that you need to be sure you have a good earth return path to allow a disconnection time of 0.4 seconds for your rewirable fuse thats 2.04 ohms (How will you check this ?) along with insulation resistance ie 1 Meg ohm minimum at 500 volts dc again how will you check this ? also correct polarity.
The list goes on and where safety is concerned you really need to consider elements of what you intend in ralation to things you probably would never consider, all the above are however common knowledge to most of the electricians on this site. Bottom line,
I'ts your choice.

Many thanks for your comments, I understand 100% where your coming from with the above, and doing any of the recommended testing is well beyond my scope.
i'll give it some thought.