Can you have a socket on a 20A ring?

[casademont]

I have a new house and realise there is a socket on the ring to the boiler (20A). Is this a problem / do I need to have it moved to a 16A fuse?

 

[stem]

A dedicated supply for a boiler is common practice, it is usually a radial circuit not a ring though. 20A is ok as long as there is a fused spur, something like this......

Untitled

• stem
• 23 May 2012
• 1

.....supplying the boiler and any associated components pump, thermostat, programmer etc as applicable. This should have a 3A (or 5A occasionally) fuse in it to protect the boiler.

If one socket has been added it won't be overloading the circuit, provided that suitably rated cable has been used for 20A.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I have a new house and realise there is a socket on the ring to the boiler (20A).

It's not a ring.

Is this a problem /

No.

do I need to have it moved to a 16A fuse?

Almost certainly not. Do you know what size cable it is, and whether it runs through any thermal insulation?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Are you sure there is not a boiler on the socket circuit (20A)?

 

[winston1]

.....supplying the boiler and any associated components pump, thermostat, programmer etc as applicable. This should have a 3A (or 5A occasionally) fuse in it to protect the boiler.

WRONG. The fuse is to protect the cable between the FCU and the boiler. All reputable boilers have internal fuses for protection. If this was not the case how would boilers operate in other countries where FCUs are not available or compliant?

 

[stem]

OK, I don't disagree. Maybe it's to protect the wires running from the boiler terminals to its internal components. Whatever the case, as we are the UK, manufacturers stipulate that the fused spur to the boiler should still be fitted with a 3A fuse, or possibly less in the case of Vaillant for example:

For some oil boilers it can be 5A as the injection pump draws more current. But it will probably have thicker cables

Some heating systems also have external components such as programmers, thermostats, motorised valves pump etc., which won't have internal fuses and will be supplied via the same fused spur.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

WRONG. The fuse is to protect the cable between the FCU and the boiler. All reputable boilers have internal fuses for protection. If this was not the case how would boilers operate in other countries where FCUs are not available or compliant?

Maybe in those countries the gas regulations are different.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, but that's the same reasoning.

Having regulations which are only possible because of local conditions and methods must mean that they are not really necessary.

If conditions in the places where they are not possible were so much worse then presumably they would be introduced.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It is not necessary for our motorway speed limit to be 70mph, but it is.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, but that's the same reasoning. Having regulations which are only possible because of local conditions and methods must mean that they are not really necessary.

That clearly would be true if the views about 'safety', and about the required level of 'safety', were the same in the various countries concerned.

Speed limits on similar roads in different countries are not necessarily the same.

Kind Regards, john

 

[EFLImpudence]

It is not necessary for our motorway speed limit to be 70mph, but it is.

I don't follow the logic.

 

[JohnW2]

I don't follow the logic.

Maybe the (first sentence of) the message I posted almost simultaneously with BAS will make the logic a little clearer?

Kind Regards, john

 

[EFLImpudence]

That clearly would be true if the views about 'safety', and about the required level of 'safety', were the same in the various countries concerned.

As I said, I don't follow the logic.

That Britain has (supposed) Electrical and Gas regulations stating a 3A fuse must be used on boilers (I'm not sure it is a regulation rather than something just stated because it is - like extractor fans) is only possible because Britain has 3A fuses in plugs and FCUs.

Speed limits on similar roads in different countries are not necessarily the same.

... but they could be.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I don't follow the logic.

You said

Having regulations which are only possible because of local conditions and methods must mean that they are not really necessary.

Our speed limit is different to that in France, so does that the value of ours is not necessary?

In France, motorways have a lower speed limit in the rain, our don't. Does that mean that the French regime is unnecessary?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That Britain has (supposed) Electrical and Gas regulations stating a 3A fuse must be used on boilers (I'm not sure it is a regulation rather than something just stated because it is - like extractor fans)

As you said, supposedly. It would be good to know for sure.

But assuming that there is such a regulation, then the only response to this:

is only possible because Britain has 3A fuses in plugs and FCUs.

would be "be that as it may".