Install a double socket off of a FCU

[ArmPole]

Hi,

In my kitchen there is a FCU for the Combi-boiler. Can I install a double socket next to the FCU and wire it into the load side? I want to run a 700w microwave and a Tassimo coffee machine from the sockets.

Alternatively, can I change the FCU to a FCU and single socket combined unit?

Thanks for any advice.

PA

 

[EFLImpudence]

In my kitchen there is a FCU for the Combi-boiler. Can I install a double socket next to the FCU and wire it into the load side? I want to run a 700w microwave and a Tassimo coffee machine from the sockets.

If the FCU is on the ring circuit then you can make the new socket part of the ring as well.
If the FCU is a spur from the ring circuit then, yes, you can do as you ask.

Perhaps you can let us know what wiring is connected to the FCU if you are not sure.
Switch off the power before looking.

a FCU and single socket combined unit?

There's no such thing.

 

[JohnW2]

In my kitchen there is a FCU for the Combi-boiler. Can I install a double socket next to the FCU and wire it into the load side? I want to run a 700w microwave and a Tassimo coffee machine from the sockets.

I would imagine that the fuse in the FCU for the boiler is (deliberately) small (probably 3A), which would be pushing things in terms of the loads you indicate.

Alternatively, can I change the FCU to a FCU and single socket combined unit?

Assuming you could find one, you could not do that if the FCU is wired as an 'unfused spur' from a ring circuit. You copuld if the FCU is 'on a ring', or is part of a radial circuit.

What you could do would be to put a 13A fuse in the existing FCU and then (assuming the combi requires a 3A fuse) use that to supply a second FCU (with a 3A fuse) for the combi and also supply a double socket.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

There's no such thing.

With thanks to flameport ...

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, I should have mentioned the fuse.

Surely a 5A would do without an additional FCU?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is that one of Flameport's antiquities?

 

[JohnW2]

Is that one of Flameport's antiquities?

Dunno ... Mr Google found it. I'm sure he (flameport) can tell us, though.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

https://www.flameport.com/electric_museum/sockets_13A_BS1363/aei_socket_with_fused_outlet.cs4

This is one of the few electrical accessories which has no modern equivalent.

 

[JohnW2]

This is one of the few electrical accessories which has no modern equivalent.

Ah!! I suppose it's not all that surprising that it disappeared - since a lot of people would probably be tempted into installing it (non-compliantly, if the socket comes from the load side of the FCU) as a spur from a ring final.

Having said that, I presume one can do it, even today, with 'modular' accessories (Click?).

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, but there wouldn't be much point in the OP's situation.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, but there wouldn't be much point in the OP's situation.

Agreed - for the reason I just gave. If one fed the socket from the supply side of the FCU and installed the whole shooting match as a spur from a ring final, it would be non-compliant. However, if one could find a big enough modular set-up, I suppose that one could install 2 FCUs and a single socket in the manner I suggested.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

OP did say running from the load side of FCU.

 

[winston1]

I would imagine that the fuse in the FCU for the boiler is (deliberately) small (probably 3A), which would be pushing things in terms of the loads you indicate.
Assuming you could find one, you could not do that if the FCU is wired as an 'unfused spur' from a ring circuit. You copuld if the FCU is 'on a ring', or is part of a radial circuit.

What you could do would be to put a 13A fuse in the existing FCU and then (assuming the combi requires a 3A fuse) use that to supply a second FCU (with a 3A fuse) for the combi and also supply a double socket.

Kind Regards, John

You wouldn't need the second FCU provided the boiler cable is at least 1.0mm. Boilers are all internally fused and outside the UK are on circuits fused at 16 amps anyway.

 

[JohnW2]

OP did say running from the load side of FCU.

He did but, as I said, if there is a 3A fuse "required" (e.g. by MIs) for the combi, then that would be pretty low for the loads he envisages - hence the other options I explored.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

You wouldn't need the second FCU provided the boiler cable is at least 1.0mm.

Electrically, that's true ...

Boilers are all internally fused and outside the UK are on circuits fused at 16 amps anyway.

That's also true (well, I assume that they are all internally fused), but that doesn't stop the (UK) instructions at least sometimes calling for an external fuse <13A fuse - for whatever reason.

Kind Regards, John