Fcu question

[ezekiel]

If a fcu for a washing machine above a worktop supplys a socket below the worktop for the washer then is the fcu wired into the ring or taken as a spur from the ring or is both methods ok - noticed all these neon fcu labled for washers fridges etc supplying sockets and just curious

 

[bongos]

I've often wondered this. I would think the most typical way that people use a FCU is on a spur from the ring but I would have also thought that it could be used wired on the ring if you wanted.

But I'm no spark! I'm sure someone will answer this question shortly

Anyone know which method is prefered?

 

[ColJack]

wired into the ring is always preferable as it leaves just 2 sets of wires to terminate at any given point, no need to try and cram 3 sets of wires into a terminal..

incidentally, with an odd numer of wires it's best to double over one wire end to keep the screw pressure even over the whole group..

 

[JohnD]

if you are using a fused plug beneath the workshop, some people (me) think it is preferable to have a 20A DP switch, with label and neon, above the worktop, with an unswitched single socket as a single spur, directly vertically below the switch.

the switch can be wired into the ring which can (should) be run horizontally 150mm or so above the worktop round most of the kitchen, with a plentiful supply of sockets and switches in a neat row.

the advantage of using a switch rather than an FCU is that you then achieve the ideal number of fuses per appliance (one).

 

[ColJack]

is it safe to run a 20A switch straight off a 32A ring main without fusing down?

 

[Spark123]

Yes as the overcurrent protection is downstream.

 

[securespark]

I would fit a fused spur above (isolation & fuse readily to hand), and a 15A socket below.