Double socket spur off Immersion Heater supply

[lothianhomebuilder]

Can I wire in a new double socket off immersion heater supply to power Fridge freezer? Supply is protected by Wylex MCB rated B16. Immesion heater is seldom used as it is back up should gas c htg fail.

[Steve]

No.

You may only do this if you disconnect the immersion and all its wiring, back to where you want the fridge freezer.

[lothianhomebuilder]

So its plan B with a spur off existing ring main which involves lifting some rather nice varnished floorboards. Thats life.

[mfarrow]

Steve wrote:

No.

Why not? Regs don't say don't and the OSG doesn't list its source. Besides which it only says "on its own circuit" which an FCU would accomodate for anyway.

Immersion heaters are used so rarely if you've got C/H, it's a shame not to take advantage of the spare capacity the MCB can provide.

A fridge/freezer has such a small power consumption that as long as you label the socket "Fridge Freezer only" I don't see how/when it'll ever be an issue.

[londonboy]

It is listed. Cant quote it but it says something about water heaters over 15litres, also heating elements over 2kw should be on a radial.

[RF Lighting]

It is recommended in the OSG, but not actually a regulation in BS7671.

Really really rubbish circuit design for it to supply anything else though.

[mfarrow]

RF Lighting wrote:

Really really rubbish circuit design for it to supply anything else though.

Unconventional and indiscriminate, but we need to give the lad his options...

[333rocky333]

RF Lighting wrote:

Really really rubbish circuit design for it to supply anything else though.

just a thought, what if the heater switch was changed to a socket, then it would be two sockets on a radial.

If he ever needs the element he could plug it in.
Is that a really rubbish idea.

[RF Lighting]

Yep