Under counter fridge and freezer isolation

[rubberfrog]

Evening all,

First off I’m relatively new to this site and whilst studying ive have read through lots of threads, some really good answers, topics and banter .

There seems to be conflicting views about the safe isolation on permanatly fixed appliences that ive read

Please could you guys clarify for my particular circumstance?

I have an under counter fridge and seperate freezer-which i propose supplying them via double socket of the ring main and i want to follow the the letter of the law and isolate them via a FCU.

The regs and as i understand, you have to have an accesible means of isolation.

i plan to achieve this by spuring of the kitchen ring via a 13A FCU (mounted in the adjacent cupboard as "part of the fabric of the building"!) and run 2.5mm T&E (approx 2 foot/0.5m)to a double socket suppling a fridge and seperate freezer.(I dont want to cut of my new plug sockets for connection plates as the warranty will be voided)

will i have any dramas with the above in terms of my loading as they will be in constant use?
(load of both approx 1A (240 W)/Max I of T&E approx 27A?)

any help will be greatly appreciated

Many thanks
rubberfrog

 

[sjm]

This would seem to be acceptable, the FSU should be located at the front of the cupboard for easy access. All electrical work that is carried out in a kitchen should be certified and notified to LBC as required by part P building regs.

Cheers
sjm

 

[Johno]

Personally I would put the double socket in the cupboard and just cut a big hole for the plug tops.

 

[Des 56]

Quote
will i have any dramas with the above in terms of my loading as they will be in constant use?
(load of both approx 1A (240 W)/Max I of T&E approx 27A?)
Sorry,cant quite make head or tails of that

If you intend using a single fused spur to isolate both items,your limiting factor is the fuse in the spur
Given that its a fridge and a freezer,it would seem that you are pushing the limits of the load range that is available this way

Quote
i want to follow the the letter of the law and isolate them via a FCU.

There is no such law,there is regulations that suggest that appliances should have an accessable means of isolation,that isolation can be by means of unplugging them from a socket in the cupboard ( as stated by Johno)
Doing this would be seen as a better method of installation than a single switch for both appliances

 

[rubberfrog]

Cheers guys thanks for the replies,

Ill adopt the socket in the cupboard approach but so i know,

Des, can you explain in ref to the load range? my calcs were based on the operating info of the appliences


load of both approx 1A (2 x 0.5A) opearting current

Surely you will only reach close to max opearating current at intial switch on at room temp or if the door is left open? (approx 10A each as both appliences are fused at 13A on the plug tops )

Max loading of 2.5mm T&E approx 27A

cheers