New Spur Connection for Underfloor heating in bathroom

ap222 · 17 Dec 2010

Hello all,
I have installed a Devimat 500W UFH system in my upstairs bathroom & plan to wire it up in the form of a spur from a single power socket outside the bathroom. (This is the most easiest & convenient option as opposed to connecting directly to the CU downstairs).
I will be installing a 13A 30mA RCD FCU between the power socket & spur. The lenght of the spur is about 3-4 metres max.
This single power socket has currently two cables (2 Live & 2 Neutral) going into it and is part of the upstairs ring circuit.
There are currently no spurs coming off any of the sockets on this upstairs circuit.
This power socket is normally used for a hair drier & Iron.

Will it still be ok to spur off this particular socket as there will be circumstances when the hair drier/iron will be in use when the UFH will be on.

Any guidance appreciated.

Thank you

Taylortwocities · 18 Dec 2010

Your underfloor heating is a relatively small load at 500W so you should have no worries on that count.

Have you notified your local authority that you are doing electrical works in a bathroom? What have you said re how you will comply with P1?

If not you must read, and act on, this: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part_p:diy_electrical_work_and_the_law

ap222 · 18 Dec 2010

Taylortwocities said:
Your underfloor heating is a relatively small load at 500W so you should have no worries on that count.

Have you notified your local authority that you are doing electrical works in a bathroom? What have you said re how you will comply with P1?

If not you must read, and act on, this: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part_p:diy_electrical_work_and_the_law[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your reply Taylortwocities, I'm glad to hear the connection will be fine.
Re; complaince with building regulations, I am getting my CU upgraded to RCD protection, as I understand that 30mA RCD protection is a requirement for new bathroom electrical renovations. I've notified building regulations & my Electrician will be changing the CU over & issuing a certificate. I'LL get him to check the connections re the UFH in the bathroom. Have just retiled the floor & thought I'd add UFH at the same time.
I'm quite confident in what I've done, wanted to make sure it was ok, but leaving the CU upgrade to the Electrician.
Thanks again

big-all · 18 Dec 2010

i hope you have enough wall mounted radiators to heat the bathroom
even leaving a 500w mat on for 24 hours a day it will not heat a bathroom except on the warmest days

PrinceofDarkness · 18 Dec 2010

ap222: that single socket might well have two cables to it, but that of itself is no indication that it's part of a ring circuit (without further testing). For example, the presence of two cables at an outlet could just as easily indicate a spur feeding another outlet.

The CU doesn't need upgrading for this specific purpose: An RCD spur could be fitted in place of that single socket.

I doubt that you've already notified this job - sorry, I just don't believe you - but on the other hand I couldn't care less about your dealings with the local BC provided that you do the job reasonably safely.

Lucia.

ap222 · 18 Dec 2010

big-all said:
i hope you have enough wall mounted radiators to heat the bathroom
even leaving a 500w mat on for 24 hours a day it will not heat a bathroom except on the warmest days

Yeh bathroom has already got a decent sized towel rail radiator, so heating is no problem, the mat was just to add comfort on the chilliest of mornings

ap222 · 18 Dec 2010

PrinceofDarkness";p="1835561 said:
ap222: that single socket might well have two cables to it, but that of itself is no indication that it's part of a ring circuit (without further testing). For example, the presence of two cables at an outlet could just as easily indicate a spur feeding another outlet.

The CU doesn't need upgrading for this specific purpose: An RCD spur could be fitted in place of that single socket.

I doubt that you've already notified this job - sorry, I just don't believe you - but on the other hand I couldn't care less about your dealings with the local BC provided that you do the job reasonably safely.

Hi Lucia, I've checked all sockets on the upstairs circuit & all have 2 cables. I will be installing a RCD FCU at that spur for added protection, I've not informed BC regading the UFH but I have notified regarding the consumer Unit as its classified as major works.
Surely, Installing RCD protection can only be safer for me & my family & my ufh will also comply with the regulation.

Taylortwocities · 18 Dec 2010

ap222 said:
. I've notified building regulations & my Electrician will be changing the CU over & issuing a certificate.

If you are using an electrician who is registered then you do not need to pay a fee to the local authority or notify them, yourself. That is all done by the REGISTERED ELECTRICIAN. He will do the work, certify and notify the local authority. That's assuming he is a member of one of the self cert schemes.

ALso re

ap222 said:
.I will be installing a RCD FCU at that spur for added protection

That's pointless if your consmer unit has 30mA RCD protection. It will not give you any more protection.

ban-all-sheds · 18 Dec 2010

Also re #2:

ap222 said:
I've not informed BC regading the UFH but I have notified regarding the consumer Unit as its classified as major works.

The UFH is just as much a notifiable job as the new CU

ap222 · 18 Dec 2010

Taylortwocities said:
ap222 said:

. I've notified building regulations & my Electrician will be changing the CU over & issuing a certificate.

Click to expand...

If you are using an electrician who is registered then you do not need to pay a fee to the local authority or notify them, yourself. That is all done by the REGISTERED ELECTRICIAN. He will do the work, certify and notify the local authority. That's assuming he is a member of one of the self cert schemes.

ALso re

ap222 said:

.I will be installing a RCD FCU at that spur for added protection

Click to expand...

That's pointless if your consmer unit has 30mA RCD protection. It will not give you any more protection.

Thanks, I will check with my electrician.

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New Spur Connection for Underfloor heating in bathroom

PrinceofDarkness

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