Should boiler and washing machine be on their own circuit?

[EddieJT]

I plan to have a boiler and washing machine in a large airing cupboard type thing in the hallway. This cupboard also houses the CU.

The other side of the back wall of this cupboard is the kitchen.

How should I setup power supply for boiler and washing machine in this cupboard? Tap into the kitchen supply for both, or either? Give each it's own circuit straight from CU. Can the 2 go on their own circuit or should they be independent?

Whatever the answer is it will be easy to do. Just need to know which is the right way please? Thanks in advance.

 

[ericmark]

The boiler is no problem as less than 5A but the washing machine is normally around a 3KW load and putting on either end of a ring main (parallel conductors of unequal length) is not really recommended.

However the Part P rules mean to add new circuits into the CU needs notifying and paying the LABC their fee if done as a DIY job.

If you are going for cheap option and getting a registered electrician to do the work then I would expect he would connect both direct to CU for less than you will pay LABC to notify.

I would at least take the supply for washing machine from CU even if from same MCB as ring main. If you take from same MCB as ring main it may not need Part P fees paying but I am not sure! Maybe someone will know as it is not a new circuit but it is work in a consumer unit.

 

[EddieJT]

Thanks Eric. I should have mentioned that this is following a complete rewire that I have done myself and am having an electrician to certify soon (please noone start lecturing me on how this is not how it should be done-I am aware). So putting in another circuit to CU makes no odds to me LABC wise.

So shall I take one more circuit from the CU to feed the boiler and WC, or give them one each?

 

[ColJack]

20A radial should be fine.. 13A plug for the washer, 3A FCU for the boiler..
be aware of any steam or whatever that the washer may generate though..

 

[EddieJT]

Brilliant, thanks.

 

[ColJack]

Brilliant, thanks.

talk is cheap... press the button

 

[EddieJT]

I getcha

 

[Steve]

put them on their own circuit, shared if you want. This means the cable can run on the surface, therefore needn't be RCD protected!