Different circuits in a grid switch

[AdamW]

Is it allowable to switch multiple circuits in a grid switch? Let me explain my intentions:

I am designing my new kitchen, and am currently doing the best bit: designing the wiring. Oh yeh! Stick with me for this one, it takes some explaining.

Currently my kitchen is supplied by a 30A radial to the oven and hob (via cooker switch then FCU), with the plug sockets on the 30A ring for the whole flat. I am planning to have a fridge/freezer, oven, gas hob, cooker-hood, washing machine, dishwasher, kettle, and microwave in the kitchen. So, in terms of current draw, that's a fair old whack if you decide to roast some beef whilst washing dishes and boil-washing socks at the same time, and making a cup of tea.

So, what I am hoping to do is to use the existing 30A radial to supply the oven, hob ignition and washing machine (via separate FCUs)... Even on maximum draw they won't be pulling the full 30A between them, and the oven and washing m/c are the most likely to be drawing full power at the same time. I plan to install an additional radial for the fridge/freezer, and a new ring to supply the rest of the kitchen.

Here is where my question starts:

Is it acceptable to switch separate circuits inside a grid switch? I am hoping to use an MK grid switch (8-way) with printed switches for each appliance. But I will be switching from 3 separate circuits if I do this.

Also, is each module totally separate? i.e. you wire from one to the next, or are there rails? I am thinking the latter is unlikely, but thought I would ask.

 

[mrscalex]

I'll let you know exactly how these switches are wired sometime in the next few days when my order comes through for MK 6-gang & 2-gang plates. I've already been waiting a week from my local electrical specialist so bear that in mind if you have to get yours ordered in.

Don't forget all the appliances have to be within 6 feet (2 metres?) of the switch which may be a tall order, hence why I have 2 seperate grids.

You might like to get switches with neon indicators for key appliances

 

[AdamW]

I had forgotten about the 2 metre requirement... however despite the extensive list of appliances, it is really quite a small kitchen, and a quick flick of my tape measure revealed they will all be within 2m. I was thinking neon with the fridge especially.

Perhaps multiple grids is the way to go. Still, would be nice to have the option of one big'un!

 

[plugwash]

all the modules are totally seperate electrically

im pretty sure there are no regs against having multiple cuircuits in the same box but it would be very sensible to have a warning label about it

 

[Damocles]

I think there is, if more than one circuit is powering live connections within the same enclosure. Makes sense: you might have switched off one thing and assume that's everything.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

[cpw]514-11-01[/cpw]

Oh dear.

 

[Damocles]

was that an obituary?

 

[Lectrician]

MK supply warning stickers with their yokes.

 

[pipme]

An isolation warning notice, where required, in accordance with Clause 514-11-01

 

[dw3101]

Are you saying you are going to put a fused spur on the cooker / hob supply for the washing machine??

I would not recommend that in the slightest, sounds like a diyer or kitchen fitters trick.

David

 

[AdamW]

Not in the slightest. The cooker switch unit will be removed (no point in having that after going to all the effort of a big grid-switch). I will then treat the circuit as a common-or-garden radial. The cable will be run to the grid switches for the oven, hob (ignition only) and washing machine. The switched side of these switches will run to FCUs in 4 or 6mm (depending on what the existing circuit is wired in). These will be fused at 13A for the oven and wmc, 3A for the hob.

I am not putting a fused spur on a cooker supply, I am changing it to a standard radial, unless I decide to just rewire it when I install the additional 2 circuits. In that case I will install two 30A rings and one 15A radial instead.

So, from what people have said, I can have different circuits running in one accessory box provided I use an isolation warning label. I have had a look at the warning labels on TLC, none of them seem to cover having mixed circuits in a box. The nearest it comes is "Danger: live terminals" and "Isolate elsewhere". Should I use this one to cover all?

 

[pipme]

Make a big difference when selling the flat, will confirm prospective buyers' impression when confronted with Lunar lander type control panel ....

P

 

[dw3101]

I could do with some of them stickers for front doors..

Personally I think you are over complicating things and I dont understand why you are trying to do this..

I would say NO, you shouldnt bring seperate supplies into one patress / box.. and if your doing it for neatness.. id rather have two or three fcu's/isolators rather than that sticker in my kitchen..

Whats wrong with conventional methods?

No disrespect..but sometimes overcomplication can cause more probs than needed.

David

 

[Lectrician]

The warning stickers can go on the yoke inside, as this is an intermediate barrier. The MK stickers are sized to fit on the yoke.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So, from what people have said, I can have different circuits running in one accessory box provided I use an isolation warning label. I have had a look at the warning labels on TLC, none of them seem to cover having mixed circuits in a box. The nearest it comes is "Danger: live terminals" and "Isolate elsewhere". Should I use this one to cover all?

No - you need to explicity warn about the different circuits present. And the reason you can't find a ready made label is that there isn't much call for them - multiple circuits in the same enclosure are uncommon.