3kw water heater on a 13a plug or fcu?

[lummocks]

Would this be possible on this type of circuit...basically I wan't to replace a water heater that has been installed by plugging into a 13a socket that has blown up (after about 20 years by the looks of it!)

My calculations @ 240v...would be looking at ~12.5 amps, is this ok to use a 13 amp plug and socket or fcu or would I be looking at running an independant spur from the fuse box.

Thanks in advance

 

[plugwash]

are we talking immersion heater here or an instant heat for a single point or small number of points here?

 

[lummocks]

single point jobbie, just a little over the sink thing in our workshop

 

[plugwash]

A fcu or a GOOD QUALITY plug and socket on the socket circuit should be fine unless other load is unusually high, it's no worse a load than a washing machine or similar.

avoid cheap plugs and sockets, they often don't get on well with loads that pull the full 13A.

 

[lummocks]

Nice, thanks matey!

Just one more question, do I need to earth bond the copper pipe that will be feeding it?

 

[plugwash]

there is no requirement for such a bond in BS7671 but if the manufacturer tells you to fit one then follow thier instructions.

 

[lummocks]

Thanks again

 

[Adam_151]

Bad practice to feed big fixed loads like this from a ring final circuit , though I will conceed that an instantanous water heater like this isn't quite as bad as an immersion heater (which could be running for hours)

Follow plugwash's advice to repair it, but it really ought to be moved onto a dedicated circuit...

 

[briwire]

Isn't there something in the regs about not mounting sockets within a certain distance of a sink?

Also, make sure your taps, pipework and sink (if metal) is bonded to earth.

 

[plugwash]

Bad practice to feed big fixed loads like this from a ring final circuit , though I will conceed that an instantanous water heater like this isn't quite as bad as an immersion heater (which could be running for hours)

A washing machine draws just as much power, probablly draws it for longer and has requirements that mean while it can techincally be moved for most practical purposes it may as well be fixed and noone seems to worry about putting those on a ring.

 

[Spark123]

Isn't there something in the regs about not mounting sockets within a certain distance of a sink?

Theres the one which says something along the lines of that all equipment must be of a design appropriate to the conditions where it is installed.

Also, make sure your taps, pipework and sink (if metal) is bonded to earth.

Why? I suppose you could do a little bit of local supplementary equipotential bonding but as a workshop isn't a special location this isn't really required, then there's the argument about being in contact with a large earthed piece of metal (sink) whilst coming into contact with a faulty appliance etc.

 

[securespark]

Yeah, supp bonds not required outside a special loc.

My problem with this is the possibility of creating multiple earth paths.

I don't have too much of a problem with it being a large lump of earthed metal, as it should be at the same potential as the cpc in the faulty appliance, hence no p.d.

 

[lummocks]

Isn't there something in the regs about not mounting sockets within a certain distance of a sink?

Also, make sure your taps, pipework and sink (if metal) is bonded to earth.

The socket is about 1.5m above the height of the sink (not installed by myself) would it be better to just use a fcu? Not really any different tho is it!?

Looking at the circuit again it looks to be a spur off the ring main