Ring main concern

[ggman]

Recently I had a kitchen installed obviously the kitchen fitter electrician modified the wiring; an RCD was added on the kitchen ring main (so I was told).
The RCD (CEB RC63BR) is there and is working correctly but is not just protecting the kitchen but the whole house, everything works fine no complaints with it
My concern arises since I want to install an electric fire (1.8-2 Kw) in the living room in place of the actual gas fire, there is a plug on the ring main so easy to connect.
In the kitchen I have a: tumble dryer, a canopy fan, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge freezer plus the usual kettle toaster and mixer.
Hob and oven have their own supply
In the living room I have a 42 Plasma television, and a PC desktop another 2 little television are upstairs the wife occasionally uses the iron and vacuum cleaner.
I am worried that the use of the electric fire will overload the wiring.
I have an old fashion CU but not with wire fuse, there in the CU is a spare place for another fuse and circuit.
The CU is fitted on an under stairs cupboard adjacent to the kitchen should be no problem to branch the kitchen main ring on a new circuit or at least connect a radial circuit to the tumble dryer.
I will contemplate an eventual replacement of the CU.
I am a retired electronic Tech, I do understand about electrics but this job maybe has to be done by a qualified electrician.
Is there somebody that can help? Will be possible to have an estimate? I am living in RM post code area

 

[damien1]

as far as i know it should be a split board one side with the rcd protecting bathroom etc and the none rcd side protecting ring main and lights

 

[B6 7BU]

[video=youtube;l5Mmz1OnCR8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Mmz1OnCR8[/video]

 

[ELEKTRIC]

lol,lol

 

[sparks1234]

The majority of circuit changes will need to be covered by RCD if altered, particularly buried cables, socket outlets

 

[DurhamSparky]

i see the problem

"the wife occasionally uses the iron and vacuum cleaner."

the overall RCD is FINE however it will cause problems should it trip as all the power will go off! and connection of a 2kw fire would probably be ok as you have not taken into account diversity.

and please dont give silly advice Damien, as far as i know and i do know are two different things! a split load box was ok for 16th but on the 17th it should be RCD for all circuits!

 

[jaresquire]

Not all circuits must have RCD - except in TT earthing surely?

 

[gamblor6]

nope not all circuits need rcd, lights only need if cables are buired less than 50mm from surface ect. rcd everything seems to be the common answer but its not always true.

 

[telectrix]

nope not all circuits need rcd, lights only need if cables are buired less than 50mm from surface ect. rcd everything seems to be the common answer but its not always true.

don't forget anything in a bathroom must be RCD protected as well

 

[ggman]

Hi Steve
Thank you for your reply . So you think that I would be ok to use the electric fire plug in on the ring main.
Shame you so far away.
I could have used your services.

 

[Rappid]

Hi ggman

I'm not too far away from you, PM if you you need some advice.

 

[ezzzekiel]

nope not all circuits need rcd, lights only need if cables are buired less than 50mm from surface ect. rcd everything seems to be the common answer but its not always true.

unless everything is suface mounted then chances are you will need rcds
single upfront rcd does not meet 17th regs in most respects but does meet the requirements your spark needed for the work he carried out.

your fire will be fine on the ring main, not everything will be pulling at the same time.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

I have not seen a single domestic job since the 17th ed came out that did not require all circuits to be 30mA rcd protected, apart from the odd sub main to garage.