Spur off 16a Radial

[JamesAtkins]

Hey there,
Been googling for several hours now trying to find an answer to what should be a very simple question.
I have a Radial Circuit in my garage, connected to a 16a RCD at the Consumer Unit. Currently there are just a few double sockets spread around the garage.
Im looking to add a double socket over a different side of the garage. The easiest point to join the socket to the radial is halfway along it (nowhere near the end!), will a 30amp junction box suffice or should i connect a 13amp FCU for the spur?
Thanks in advance.
James

 

[JohnW2]

I have a Radial Circuit in my garage, connected to a 16a RCD at the Consumer Unit. Currently there are just a few double sockets spread around the garage. Im looking to add a double socket over a different side of the garage. The easiest point to join the socket to the radial is halfway along it (nowhere near the end!), will a 30amp junction box suffice or should i connect a 13amp FCU for the spur?

No problem - you can have as many 'branches' (and sub-branches) of a 16A radial circuit (they're not usually called 'spurs' with a radial) as you like - no need for an FCU. Does this circuit also serve lighting?

Someone will probably point out that any new sockets need to be RCD protected - so if the circuit is not RCD-protected, that needs to be addressed (either by RCD-protecting the circuit, or by installing an RCD socket), and that any new cables buried <50mm deep in a wall (unlikely in a garage!) also require RCD protection unless they are adequately mechanically protected.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JamesAtkins]

I have a Radial Circuit in my garage, connected to a 16a RCD at the Consumer Unit. Currently there are just a few double sockets spread around the garage. Im looking to add a double socket over a different side of the garage. The easiest point to join the socket to the radial is halfway along it (nowhere near the end!), will a 30amp junction box suffice or should i connect a 13amp FCU for the spur?

No problem - you can have as many 'branches' (and sub-branches) of a 16A radial circuit (they're not usually called 'spurs' with a radial) as you like - no need for an FCU. Does this circuit also serve lighting?

Someone will probably point out that any new sockets need to be RCD protected - so if the circuit is not RCD-protected, that needs to be addressed (either by RCD-protecting the circuit, or by installing an RCD socket), and that any new cables buried <50mm deep in a wall (unlikely in a garage!) also require RCD protection unless they are adequately mechanically protected.

Kind Regards, John

thanks for the quick reply.
The garage radial is already protected by the RCD. There is a light connected to the radial but has an FCU (3amp fuse i believe) before it so all should be correct there?
So just to be clear all i need to do is hook a junction box in the middle of the cable and create a branch from there?

 

[AndyPRK]

yes, but it would be better to run the cable to the nearest socket or fcu

 

[JohnW2]

thanks for the quick reply. ... The garage radial is already protected by the RCD. There is a light connected to the radial but has an FCU (3amp fuse i believe) before it so all should be correct there?

That's all fine.

So just to be clear all i need to do is hook a junction box in the middle of the cable and create a branch from there?

Yes, you could do that - although, as Andy has said, it would be slightly 'nicer' to run the cable from an existing socket or FCU, thereby avoiding the need for any junction boxes.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Connect to the circuit where you say is easiest, but instead of using a JB put a socket there - might come in useful one day.

 

[securespark]

Am I smelling some more "initial" confusion?

I hope this radial circuit is protected by a fuse or MCB in addition to an RCD!

 

[JohnW2]

Am I smelling some more "initial" confusion? I hope this radial circuit is protected by a fuse or MCB in addition to an RCD!

I confess that I forget to check with the OP, but I assumed that the '16A RCD' he mentioned was actually a 16A MCB (or conceivably RCBO) - he'd be very hard pressed to find a '16A RCD'!!

Kind FRegards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

he'd be very hard pressed to find a '16A RCD'!!

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rcds/7319843/

Although why anybody would pay that sort of money for a 16A device rather than pay a fraction of it for an 80A one beats me....

 

[JamesAtkins]

cheers for the responses guys, John you are correct i meant a 16A MCB.
Sounds like the best way is to avoid using a junction box so ill do just that.
thanks again.

 

[securespark]

Plenty of others far cheaper, Ban.

http://www.yesss.co.uk/switchgear-d...REmnh2ih5lgC6UCJat1xe2WXtnOXtt1CZihJxY7_D_BwE

 

[EFLImpudence]

The garage radial is already protected by the RCD.

i meant a 16A MCB.

So, does that mean there is no RCD?

 

[securespark]

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Cheap as Chint