HELP ON A FUSED SPUR

[MARK NHS]

JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS REGARDING A FUSED SPUR.

THE 'LOAD' SECTIONS ARE FOR THE ITEM & THE 'SUPPLY' IS FROM THE RING MAINS IS THAT RIGHT ?

ALSO ON THE BACK OF THE FUSED SPUR IT HAS TWO EARTH SCREWS IT SEEMS THE EARTHS CAN GO ON ANYONE (i.e NOT INDICATED LOAD/SUPPLY) ?

THE FUSED SPUR HAD A 13AMP FUSE WHICH I REPLACED FOR A 3AMP FUSE BEING THE RIGHT FUSE FOR THE ITEM IS THAT OKAY TOO ? (WRITING ON BACK OF THE FUSED SPUR SAYS DP 13A 250V IS THAT THE MAX THAT CAN GO INTO IT, NOT A SET RATE, i.e having to go out to buy a 3amp fused spur for a 3amp item)

 

[moderator]

Picture courtesy of RF Lighting (well borrowed)

 

[seehig]

eh yes...it does exactly what it says on the tin mate...just read the label

 

[industryspark]

correct, supply is from the circuit, i.e your ring main and load is the equipment/acsesorie/new cable.

the earths from the supply and load should be connected together and to the fcu, i.e put them both in the earth terminal of the fcu! if you have 2 eath terminals they should be linked together anyway via a metal bar more than likelly.

the idea is that the earths are continous and linked to the other earths.

make sure you earth the back box aswell!

fitting the 3A fuse is fine yes, 13A is the max that is alowable to be fitted!

 

[securespark]

make sure you earth the back box aswell!

Good practice, but is it strictly necessary? I was under the impression that with a box with at least one fixed lug in use, it was not necessary to earth the box?

 

[MARK NHS]

If i need to earth the back box how do i do that how its in the loft

 

[securespark]

There is no need to earth a non-metallic box, which it probably will be in the loft. If not, then just run a piece of 1.5 sleeved with G/Y from the terminal on the accessory to the terminal on the box.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I am of the opinion that FCUs should be suppplied with a 3A fuse as standard leaving the user to select a higher rating if it is necessary.
That would be much safer than (as now) when the FCU comes with a 13A fuse and the inexperienced DIYer doesnt think, or know, to put in the correct rated fuse.

Congrats to MARK NHS for spotting the need to have the correct fuse and asking proper questions first.

TTC

 

[breezer]

the same could be said about plugtops and the supplied fuses