Fiddly Kitchen Socket

[securespark]

Bought one of these from TLC:

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/KS104.html

Fiddliest bit of kit ever!
Good job the incoming cable was only 1mm² T & E. Even then it was a bar steward to install.





Surprised the metalwork is not connected to earth.

 

[sparkwright]

Dare I ask why 1 mm2?

 

[securespark]

No. Go away.

 

[securespark]

OK then... it is fed via an FCU.

 

[sparkwright]

Presumably each module has to be linked with short bits of wire, which could be very awkward in some installations.

Bad design really.

Where'd you find that then?

Homebase?

 

[sparkwright]

Ah, yes, TLC...

 

[securespark]

Yeah... I did think the two sockets might have one set of terminals...

 

[JohnW2]

OK then... it is fed via an FCU.

Do I take it that the sockets are for lighting loads only, then - I'm sure you know that 1mm² cable is not acceptable for 'power' circuits

Kind Regards, John

 

[securespark]

An absurdity! On the other hand, manufacturers are allowed to protect 0.75 with a 13A fuse.

It's running a wall wart for a DECT phone and a 5.22A toaster. So the load it is carrying is less than a lighting circuit of 6A. Plus, the 1milli is a maximum of half a meter in length.

 

[winston1]

An absurdity! On the other hand, manufacturers are allowed to protect 0.75 with a 13A fuse.

It's running a wall wart for a DECT phone and a 5.22A toaster. So the load it is carrying is less than a lighting circuit of 6A. Plus, the 1milli is a maximum of half a meter in length.

So what about when someone comes along and plugs in a kettle next to the toaster? OK the FCU fuse goes and they replace it with a 13A one. Then what?

 

[JohnW2]

It's running a wall wart for a DECT phone and a 5.22A toaster. So the load it is carrying is less than a lighting circuit of 6A. Plus, the 1milli is a maximum of half a meter in length.

Maybe, but that's common sense. I'm talking regs, and it's not compliant! Have I got any 1mm² cable in my house other than in lighting circuits? .... no comment Would I actually ever wire a BS1363 socket, via a FCU, with 1mm²? ... perhaps not, but probably mainly because of the regs (and the possible scenario mentioned by winston).

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

But as has been said before that reg., Table 52.3, makes no sense.

To be compliant with 1mm² (or 0.75mm²) ss could have used "Non-sheathed or sheathed flexible cable" instead of "Non-sheathed or sheathed cable".

 

[securespark]

I used the 1 milli as it was there and to replace it would mean smashing tiles off the wall.

If I put a 13A fuse in the FCU, so what?

The rating of 1 milli is?

 

[JohnW2]

But as has been said before that reg., Table 52.3, makes no sense.

It doesn't - but, if one assumes that a "power circuit" is anything which is neither a "lighting circuit" nor a "signalling or control circuit", it is otherwise clear what the regulation is saying/requiring (i.e. what it "actually says"), even if it makes little sense.

To be compliant with 1mm² (or 0.75mm²) ss could have used "Non-sheathed or sheathed flexible cable" instead of "Non-sheathed or sheathed cable".

He could. As we have agreed, it makes little sense - but that's not a problem peculiar to this one regulation.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

I used the 1 milli as it was there and to replace it would mean smashing tiles off the wall. If I put a 13A fuse in the FCU, so what? The rating of 1 milli is?

Assuming no 'extreme' installation method a 13A fuse would adequately protect 1mm² cable. However, the regs require Iz≥Ib, as well as Iz≥In, so you would have to be able to argue that the "design load" of 2 x BS1363 outlets was less than the CCC of the cable. Of course, if there were just a single BS1363 outlet (even without an FCU), that condition would usually be satisfied, even though Table 52.3 would still not be happy with 1mm² T+E for a 'power' circuit.

Don't forget, as we've discussed before, that it probably takes around 22A to blow a 13A BS1362.

Kind Regards, John