Install a double socket off of a FCU

winston1 · 23 Aug 2017

JohnW2 said:
Electrically, that's true ...
That's also true (well, I assume that they are all internally fused), but that doesn't stop the (UK) instructions at least sometimes calling for an external fuse <13A fuse - for whatever reason.

Kind Regards, John

The only reason the MI would call for a small fuse in the UK is because they are wrong when the same boiler is used elsewhere on a 16 amp circuit.

We don't have to follow the MI especially when they are wrong.

ArmPole · 23 Aug 2017

Wow, what a helpful bunch, thank you very much for your quick and detailed replies

deadshort · 23 Aug 2017

ArmPole said:
Hi,

In my kitchen there is a FCU for the Combi-boiler. Can I install a double socket next to the FCU and wire it into the load side? I want to run a 700w microwave and a Tassimo coffee machine from the sockets.

Alternatively, can I change the FCU to a FCU and single socket combined unit? yes you could use a dual back box.

DS

Thanks for any advice.

PA

ban-all-sheds · 23 Aug 2017

winston1 said:
The only reason the MI would call for a small fuse in the UK is because they are wrong

No, that is not the only reason. They might call for one because of requirements in the gas regulations.

the same boiler is used elsewhere on a 16 amp circuit.

Elsewhere has different gas regulations.

We don't have to follow the MI especially when they are wrong.

Do we know that they are wrong in this instance?

winston1 · 23 Aug 2017

Show me a gas regulation that says boilers should be externally fused at a low value similar to the internal fuse.

ban-all-sheds · 23 Aug 2017

I can't.

winston1 · 23 Aug 2017

ban-all-sheds said:
I can't.

So maybe there isn't one. I don't believe gas people are qualified to write electrical regs anyway.

ban-all-sheds · 23 Aug 2017

winston1 said:
So maybe there isn't one.

Maybe there isn't.

And maybe there is.

I don't believe gas people are qualified to write electrical regs anyway.

Be that as it may, if they put a requirement in the gas regulations then it applies to the installation of gas appliances.

JohnW2 · 23 Aug 2017

deadshort said:
Alternatively, can I change the FCU to a FCU and single socket combined unit?

Click to expand...

yes you could use a dual back box.

Yes, but, other than physically, that is no different from the OP's original suggestion to just install a separate socket - or to have an FCU and socket on the same modular faceplate. As has been discussed, if the boiler 'requires' a low rating fuse, then a socket supplied from the load side of that FCU (as proposed by OP) would be pretty marginal for his intended loads. On the other hand, if the socket were supplied from the supply side of the FCU, that would be non-compliant IF the FCU is on a spur from a ring final (and we don't know about that).

Kind Regards, John

mwatsonxx · 23 Aug 2017

The op should ensure that FCU supply is permanent. It might be fed via the control circuit to the boiler.

sparkwright · 23 Aug 2017

EFLImpudence said:
If the FCU is on the ring circuit then you can make the new socket part of the ring as well.
If the FCU is a spur from the ring circuit then, yes, you can do as you ask.

Perhaps you can let us know what wiring is connected to the FCU if you are not sure.
Switch off the power before looking.

There's no such thing.

Has the op revealed if the existing FCU is directly on the ring, a spur from the ring, or on a radial circuit.

Apologies if so, I can't see it.

Can't understand all this talk of feeding the new socket from the load side of the FCU if it's not necessary...

ArmPole · 23 Aug 2017

The FCU is on a spur from the ring main

sparkwright · 23 Aug 2017

I suppose if you're installing a double socket, it wouldn't be much harder to install another FCU, so a 13 amp unswitched FCU supplies both a 3 amp FCU for the boiler and a double socket.

This, or a similar arrangement, would certainly be better than feeding from the load side of the boiler FCU.

JohnW2 · 23 Aug 2017

sparkwright said:
I suppose if you're installing a double socket, it wouldn't be much harder to install another FCU, so a 13 amp unswitched FCU supplies both a 3 amp FCU for the boiler and a double socket.

Indeed. Dare I mention that I did make that suggestion in the second reply in this thread? (and it would have been the first reply if I had typed slightly faster!)

Kind Regards, John

sparkwright · 23 Aug 2017

JohnW2 said:
Indeed. Dare I mention that I did make that suggestion in the second reply in this thread? (and it would have been the first reply if I had typed slightly faster!)

Kind Regards, John

You may dare, and I really think this is the best option.

Boilers DO demand a 3 amp fuse, ignoring something like this (which is in the MI) would be foolish IMO.

Some MI are total ******, but not always.

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Install a double socket off of a FCU

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