Cooker circuit conversion

[Overandunder]

Hi all,

I am always wary about regulations hence my post here seeking advice, and I thank anyone for their replies in advance.

In my kitchen I have an existing cooker circuit (6mm T&E) which runs direct to the CU through a 32A MCB, protected by an RCD (30mA). The old cooker was removed (replaced by a gas oven) and the old switch converted to a double socket, which I believe is permissible under the regs.

My wife now wants a dishwasher installed in that end of the kitchen. My question is does anyone know of a way of converting the double socket to provide an FCU for the dishwasher and keep the double socket? I know that a spur from a spur on a ring circuit is a no -no, but what are the restrictions on a radial circuit like this ?

I could just plug the dishwasher directly into the socket but that would look a bit messy and the cable to the dishwasher would be 'on show' all the time - plus I would lose a socket. I'm interested to know if there is a better option here.

 

[SUNRAY]

Hi all,

I am always wary about regulations hence my post here seeking advice, and I thank anyone for their replies in advance.

In my kitchen I have an exisiting cooker circuit (6mm T&E) which runs direct to the CU through a 32A MCB, protected by an RCD (30mA). The old cooker was removed (replaced by a gas oven) and the old switch was converted to a double socket, which I believe is permissible under the regs.

My wife now wants a dishwasher installed in that end of the kitchen. My question is does anyone know of a way of converting the double socket to provide an FCU for the dishwasher and keep the double socket? I know that a spur from a spur on a ring circuit is a no -no, but is a radial circuit like this treated the same way ?

I could just plug the dishwasher directly into the socket but that would look a bit messy and the cable to the dishwasher would be 'on show' all the time - plus I would lose a socket. I'm interested to know if there is a 'better' option here.

you can have as many sockets as you like but you may struggle getting 2x 6mm² cable into 13A fittings

 

[Overandunder]

you can have as many sockets as you like but you may struggle getting 2x 6mm² cable into 13A fittings

So in theory you could just run a cable from the existing double socket to a new FCU - but only in 6mm (I take your point about struggling to make these connections in the 13A double) ?

 

[winston1]

So in theory you could just run a cable from the existing double socket to a new FCU - but only in 6mm (I take your point about struggling to make these connections in the 13A double) ?

You don't need an FCU, you need a socket, the dish washer plug has a fuse. You don't need 6mm, 2.5mm is OK as long as there is only one socket on the end of it.

 

[EFLImpudence]

OR - 4mm² cable if you want more sockets.

 

[jg321]

4mm would be my preference so that it's a bit more "standard" and as mentioned you can put more sockets in later. Anyone ever tried getting a 6mm and a 4mm into a socket terminal?

 

[Overandunder]

Thanks to all. It looks like 4mm t&e is the way to go. Thinking about the total draw the existing double skt does get used for a kettle, so if the DW was on at the same time then the demand could at times be over 20A, albeit temporary. So if that's right then the better choice is to run with 4mm t&e and keep the existing 32A mcb ?

By the way we're not talking a long cable run - probably around a metre and a half at most from the old cooker point /socket so the cost of the cable doesn't come into it.

 

[winston1]

Thanks to all. It looks like 4mm t&e is the way to go. Thinking about the total draw the existing double skt does get used for a kettle, so if the DW was on at the same time then the demand could at times be over 20A, albeit temporary. So if that's right then the better choice is to run with 4mm t&e and keep the existing 32A mcb ?

By the way we're not talking a long cable run - probably around a metre and a half at most from the old cooker point /socket so the cost of the cable doesn't come into it.

Up to you, but the feed to the dish washer socket will never be more than 13 amp whether the kettle is on or not.

 

[jg321]

Up to you, but the feed to the dish washer socket will never be more than 13 amp whether the kettle is on or not.

Also true.

 

[flameport]

Anyone ever tried getting a 6mm and a 4mm into a socket terminal?

It's possible with some sockets, but not all.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Anyone ever tried getting a 6mm and a 4mm into a socket terminal?

Some are bigger than others, but 3 x 4mm² is not a problem.

 

[JohnW2]

It looks like 4mm t&e is the way to go. Thinking about the total draw the existing double skt does get used for a kettle, so if the DW was on at the same time then the demand could at times be over 20A, albeit temporary. So if that's right then the better choice is to run with 4mm t&e and keep the existing 32A mcb ?

As has been said, it's up to you - but since you started by saying that your interest was in regulations, it's probably worth reminding you that one double socket fed by 2.5mm² cable (of any length) is compliant with regs. As has also been said, the advantage of 4mm² is that it would mean that you could add additional sockets in the future (any number of them).

Kind Regards, John