Spurs before cooker Iso

[TimmyB]

Hi All
Just come across new kitchen install with the old cooker cable extended to new position and a 13A socket wired in 2.5mm connected to the 6.0mm at old cooker position. Would you argee the 32A protection for this socket is a breach of Regs

 

[trev]

Obviously installed by an idiot

 

[Dan23584]

Obviously installed by an idiot

Agreed!

 

[malcolmsanford]

IMO it is very bad practice to do this. But you have to look at the load expected on this 2.5mm. If it is feeding just 1 double socket then in theory it is unlikely to exceed 26amp and if all conditions are met in section 433.2

 

[trev]

Malcolm I agree about the loading bit but suppose a diyer wants to do something in there, knocks the sockets off and goes to work on that outlet. One dead diyer!

 

[TimmyB]

The requirment for the socket from reg 433.1 is surely a 20A device which cannot be compatible with the 32A cooker circuit

 

[malcolmsanford]

The requirment for the socket from reg 433.1 is surely a 20A device which cannot be compatible with the 32A cooker circuit

Then you would not be able to have a A2 radial then if that was the case.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Malcolm I agree about the loading bit but suppose a diyer wants to do something in there, knocks the sockets off and goes to work on that outlet. One dead diyer!

There is that and there is also in appendix 15 that a cooker should be on it's own dedicated radial circuit, but as we know the appendices are informative except of appendix 1

Bottom line Trev I agree it was installed by an idiot

 

[TimmyB]

The A2 radial is a 32A circuit, The A1 is a 20A circuit, so the socket is relying on the downstream 13A fusing in the plug tops.
Think might ask installer for there paper work on this

 

[trev]

And you honestly think there'll be paperwork mate?
Good luck with that one then

 

[malcolmsanford]

You have it now Timmy the protection device at the CU is protecting the Cable mate. You will never in theory have more than 26amps at that 1 x double socket, and it would be amazing if you ever actually had half that at the socket at one time.

So though it is very bad practice for the reasons that Trev and I pointed out, providing you can adhere to the conditions of the regs and 433.2.2 in particular you could do it.

 

[telectrix]

or to be certain slap a FCU next to the cooker isolator.

 

[TimmyB]

So the installer of this abomination can argue it complies, i think it stinks

 

[trev]

The installer can argue what the hell he likes in my opinion. Fact of the matter is it's wrong, shoddy, potentially dangerous and nothing that would be done by any competent electrician I know, which is why I'm betting there will be no paperwork in support of this crap.
People doing work like this should be buggered with something sharp and rusty.