Electric Radiators on an RFC

[Midwest]

Here's one for a Sunday. I need some advice please.

I went to quote for a job yesterday, where my client is replacing the aged electric convector panel heaters in her flat with some new electric radiators.

I was asked to remove one of the old ones. All the existing heaters are connected to FCU's. Having done a visual inspection of the supply circuit, I noted it was in fact a dedicated 32A RFC (i.e. only used for the heaters), wired in 2.5mm tw&e, as opposed a 32A radial.

The current load is 3750w, made up of 3 x 1000w & 1 x 750w (16.3A @ 230v). The new load would be 4750w, made up of 1 x 2000w, 2 x 1000w & 1 x 750w (20.6A @ 230v). These new heaters have been chosen by the manufacturers, by the dimensions of each room etc.

I understand appendix 15 gives guidance on not supplying electric space heating on RFC's, and reg 433.1.204 (on RFC's) 'if the current carrying capacity of the cable is not less than 20A... etc'.

The reference method would I guess be A, giving a ccc of 20A for 2.5mm.

Your thoughts?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Out of interest are the new heaters hard wired sort with flex into fcu, standard plug or interchangeable?

 

[Midwest]

Out of interest are the new heaters hard wired sort with flex into fcu, standard plug or interchangeable?

The new rads are DigiLine, and come without plugtop, the manufacturer states they must be connected via FCU.

 

[cliffed]

Not much of a load there really,bit of an issue if they are supposed to be of a Fcu,personally ,I think a plug top would suffice.

 

[Wilko]

Hi MW - I'm thinking the heaters are likely spaced out around the ring in different rooms and so RFC point load is not a concern(?). And with a total load of just over 20A using a dedicated 32A RFC for them seems ok to me.

 

[Wilko]

At mine I've just changed out a wall rad from 1.5kW to 3kW in the kitchen, it's on a manufacturer's plug as was its predecessor. And its plugged into the only kitchen RFC I've got, along with the toaster, kettle, fridge, washer, dryer, dishwasher, boiler and every other thing it seems. I do (finally) feel guilty enough to break out the tools and put in a new circuit for it. But I've been told to wait till wifey is away ...

 

[Midwest]

Thanks all; worrying unnecessarily it would appear, just thinking about putting such appliances on RFC's.

 

[Octopus]

The contradiction in the regs is that anything over 2Kw should be on its own circuit ....................

 

[Midwest]

It does refer to cookers, ovens & hobs (app 15), but not electrical heaters, not being over 2Kw. But take your point, which was why I posted.

 

[NDG Elecs]

The contradiction in the regs is that anything over 2Kw should be on its own circuit ....................

Sorry Murdoch, didn't mean to tag your post as 'old'....I think I may have dozed off with my phone in my hand...!

 

[HandySparks]

Sounds fine to me. A fixed load of about 20A on a circuit correctly rated at 32A. No chance of any additional load being plugged in.

My view on the ring final circuit notes in Appendix 15 is that they relate to a general power circuit with socket outlets and FCUs, not a dedicated heating circuit.