Grid switch in kitchen for multiple appliances

[pajeffery]

I'm currently going through a kitchen refit and I'm looking at switches/sockets that the electrician will install.

I remember in my old flat I had a grid with switches for all the appliances, I also seem to remember that each appliance also had a fuse.

Most of the grid switches I've seen just show the appliance and no fuses - I'm just curious what most people use to wire up the appliances.

I won't be doing any of the wiring myself, I know my limits, just a curious customer that wants to understand options

 

[sparkwright]

The normal way with a grid switch is to just have switches, and the fuse will be in the plug, which is plugged into a socket nearby the appliance.

 

[Murdochcat]

Grid switches like you describe are the work of the devil.

I would think again and ask the spark

 

[flameport]

I remember in my old flat I had a grid with switches for all the appliances, I also seem to remember that each appliance also had a fuse.

Do you actually want those, or is it just something that someone else said you needed?

They are not necessary or desirable.

​

 

[ericmark]

Some appliances seem to be missing off switches, I know I had a fridge/freezer that would not switch off, only way to de-frost was turn off at grid switch, also washing machines if weights come loose you can't get near to switch off, so good reason for localised isolation switches, however we do not expect fuses to rupture, so the one in plug is enough with a BS 1362 13 amp plug, only with 15 amp or 5 amp plug it was it required to have fuse holders, which if you expect a fuse to blow then I can see point, but we don't so can't see point.

 

[nero44]

Would like to know as well, exactly why they are undesirable (other than personal preference).

Looking at a kitchen rewamp project sometime next year, but I did have these in many previous flats (new built) I lived in and found them quite handy, especially with these new modern fully intergrated inbuilt kitchens. Over the 8 years living there, I had to exchange parts to my washing machine, oven and dish washer. I also found it useful just to switch off most of the applicance when going away for a few weeks.

 

[opps]

Would like to know as well, exactly why they are undesirable (other than personal preference).

Looking at a kitchen rewamp project sometime next year, but I did have these in many previous flats (new built) I lived in and found them quite handy, especially with these new modern fully intergrated inbuilt kitchens. Over the 8 years living there, I had to exchange parts to my washing machine, oven and dish washer. I also found it useful just to switch off most of the applicance when going away for a few weeks.

We have a series of plastic switched FCUs in the back of a cupboard to isolate the various white goods. Prior to the refit, we had metal faced switched FCUs above/near each whitegood. She what scowls at me decided she wanted a less cluttered look- hence the surface mount FCUs in one of the lesser used cupboards.