Sounds basic, but can anyone help with this question... I'm installing a heated floor which is rated to 16A and requires a 16A RCD. 16A RCDs seem to be as rare as the proverbial rocking horse **** (at least wall mounted such as a Volex RCD Fused Connection Unit - B&Q). Is there an issue with replacing the 13A fuse in such a unit with a 16A. Alternatively, continuing with the 13A fuse and accepting that once in a while, the floor may draw more than 13A and blow the fuse? Will this compromise the RCD function?
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16A RCD
- Thread starter greennige
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You cant get a 16A fuse for that application and no you cant if you could, if it is rater at 13A then that is that. Tell me, if the warm up under floor heating on a mat? What square meterage have you installed. I know the controllers can switch 16A but to have installed enough under floor heating to draw a 16A load is no mean feat!
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16A is min value you can of course use a larger one. There does seem to be a miss conception with RCD sizes v MCB sizes. If the max current is 16A then you can't use a MCB bigger than 16A but can use a RCD bigger than 16A. The norm would be a RCBO ratted 16A as that does job of both units.
Example is here although I think I would use double pole however they do seem to be expensive
Example is here although I think I would use double pole however they do seem to be expensive
16 a rcbo's are easy to get and use that to supply a 20 amp double pole switch
Your 16 amp supply requires a dedicated circuit from the consumer unit. You cannot run a 16 amp supply of a socket circuit.
As mentioned, RCBOs are convenient.
If this isn't possible, a 16 amp fuse or MCB at the board. Then an inline RCD (RCCB) fitted somewhere between the board and the local isolation switch for the underfloor heating.
As mentioned, RCBOs are convenient.
If this isn't possible, a 16 amp fuse or MCB at the board. Then an inline RCD (RCCB) fitted somewhere between the board and the local isolation switch for the underfloor heating.
It's a Handy Heat carbon film. 5 square meters
if it is this stuff - http://www.handyheat.co.uk/underfloor_heating/carbon_laminatewood.htm then it used 130 / 160W per m2, no where near 16A
Yep that's it, but for carpet/vinyl. Are you saying 13A is OK - that it'll never draw in excess of 13A?
worst case is 5x160 = 800W / 230V = 3.48Amps
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As stated largest single mat is 1800W which is under 13A so simple
RCD FCU will do the job.
I fitted underfloor heating in a wet room to dry floor and was surprised that although the floor was as hot as it could be and still waked on in bare feet that without towel rail room not warm enough.
There are two basic types of electric mat. The fixed resistive type and the chemical type. The latter can be cut to length and as it heats up the resistance increases so that furniture placed on the mat does not cause local overheating.
I used plain resistive type as no furniture in wet room and needed type with earthed outer for safety in wet room. However in other rooms the chemical type is a lot better. I have used similar as frost protection (Raychem) and it worked well.
Liquid is best as the max temperature can be better controlled no hot spots.
I fitted underfloor heating in a wet room to dry floor and was surprised that although the floor was as hot as it could be and still waked on in bare feet that without towel rail room not warm enough.
There are two basic types of electric mat. The fixed resistive type and the chemical type. The latter can be cut to length and as it heats up the resistance increases so that furniture placed on the mat does not cause local overheating.
I used plain resistive type as no furniture in wet room and needed type with earthed outer for safety in wet room. However in other rooms the chemical type is a lot better. I have used similar as frost protection (Raychem) and it worked well.
Liquid is best as the max temperature can be better controlled no hot spots.
Indeed, so an RCD like the one shown is fine. Just put a 5amp fuse in it, no more..
When you made your application for Building Regulations approval what did you say would be the way you'd comply with Part P?
Indeed. And that reminds me:. 17th Edition of BS7671 requires that the designer of a floor heating system must provide a plan for the system. There are 16 items to be recorded in the plan. Upon completion, this plan has to be affixed to the dist board of the heating system.
Have a look at Section 753, specifically 753.514.
Good luck with that one...how many domestic jobs do you see with a circuit schedule recording conductor sizes and protective device types for circuits do you see attached to the dis board?
None, at all that I have been to.
But the requirements of 753 are a recent addition - just thought it would be worth posting a reminder..
But the requirements of 753 are a recent addition - just thought it would be worth posting a reminder..
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