Storage Heater Radial to Socket

[sebmaster]

Hi,

I'm in the process of removing all the old storage heaters and replacing them.

Each one was powered by its own radial circuit from a dedicated CU in the basement with one 100A breaker for all.

Is it safe to terminate that radial with a double socket after removing the storage heater?

 

[Spark123]

Probably, a couple of things to consider - the socket might only come on when the off peak supply is present. The socket won't be RCD protected either - is it likely to be used to supply portable equipment outdoors?

 

[sebmaster]

Hi Spark123,

Its on the second floor so it wont be used to power outdoor equipment, good point about the off peak supply, I didn't think of that! Ill do some investigating.

The main CU is a little old so there is no RCD protection on any of the circuits, I wanted to make sure that putting a socket on a circuit protected by a just an overcurrent device with such a high rating was acceptable.

In any case the socket will be marked so anyone doing work in the future will know that one socket is on a different circuit.

Thanks for your help!

EDIT: One more question, if I wanted to downsize the cable to 2.5 (from 4) via a choc box/junction box, I know that wouldnt technically be against regs but how bad a practice is that? Is it just not a great idea, or a real no no?
I know it sounds pretty silly with the protection it has at the moment but then if a situation arose where the full 100 ended up being pulled the 4mm wouldnt be able to handle that anyway.

 

[nozspark]

Are you saying that the only protection for you off peak circuits is a 100A fuse??

Please post a picture of your off peak CU!!

 

[sebmaster]

Hi Nozspark, you were right to be skeptical ive done some investigating and this is what I have:

-Its not just a 100A fuse, some bright spark (no pun intended) had the idea of making a fuse holder with the ratings in black on a dark green background, so of course in my dimly lit basement I couldnt see any indication of what it was and took it to be a blank.

As it is its a 15A fuse for each of the heaters.

-Spark123, the CU is off peak but I called the electric company and they are going to put it on normal rates so it will be on 24/7 now.


Heres my question, I want to power an outside set of lights and pump (permanent installation) aswell as the socket I mentioned in the original post, obviously I dont want one 15A fuse to protect that, so can I replace the 15A fuse with a 30A RCD and use that as a socket radial circuit to power the new socket and the pump/lights?