Electric Fire Install Question

[Ljc1980]

Wondering if someone could help!

I’ve had an inset gas fire removed, gas capped etc.

There is a switch beside the fireplace that was for the igniter, and the wire is still in the opening. Can I add a stocket to this wire to plug a new electric fire into so that can then be the switch for switching off and on?

Or does an electric fire need a socket with bigger loading or something, like an oven does?

I thought it would be fine as the fires all seem to come with a plug so thought a normal type socket would be fine, but I’m not an expert to say the least!

 

[EFLImpudence]

There is a switch beside the fireplace that was for the igniter, and the wire is still in the opening. Can I add a stocket to this wire to plug a new electric fire into so that can then be the switch for switching off and on?

Probably. Is it on the socket circuit with the same size wiring?

Or does an electric fire need a socket with bigger loading or something, like an oven does?

Not like an cooker, no. Just a normal socket.

Some ovens have plugs.

 

[ericmark]

The whole idea of the ring final at end of second world war was to run electric fires in the home, however in real terms the 13 amp plug has been modified with extra insulation so although it can supply 3 kW for a short time, if used for an extended time like with an immersion heater, then better to use a fused connection unit (FCU). With lower wattage 2 kW or less no problem simply plugging in.

Clearly the gas fire igniter would not use much power, likely still spurred from a ring final, but one would need to check on that, for all we know could be part of the lighting circuit.

 

[Diver Fred]

I have a thought from college days that a 13A plug and socket should be rated at 10A continuous; 13A is acceptable for intermittent loads.

 

[Ljc1980]

Thank you for your replies, I now have the fire and bought a socket to attach to the wire.

The wire I think has 1mm2 on it, does that sound thick enough? Pics below

The fuse in the socket outside the fire was a 3amp. I’ve been told I should get a 10amp for that, does that sound right?

 

[Murdochcat]

The most important question is what is the power rating of said heater?

 

[Ljc1980]

The manual says 220-240v 50Hz
1kW/2kW heat outputs

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The wire I think has 1mm2 on it, does that sound thick enough? Pics below

The fuse in the socket outside the fire was a 3amp. I’ve been told I should get a 10amp for that, does that sound right?

Imm is rated around 2400w, for which a 10amp fuse would be OK. What is the rating of the new electric heater?

What is the 'switch', a photo might help identify it? Another thing we need to be sure of, is that the 'switch' is supplied via a power circuit.

 

[Ljc1980]

Here is switch outside fireplace

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Here is switch outside fireplace

That is a fused spur unit, so in all probability on the power circuit/ the ring or radial socket circuit.