Use of 20AX switches in spurs off ring main

[redbarnman]

I bought a number of 20AX grid switches with printed labels on them e.g. washing machine. These were to put an isolator above the work top for a 13A switched socket under the work top in the utility room. Electrician says no as the spur will be off a 32A ring the switch must be capable of the ring rating not the spur (single 2.5mm2 T+E). I can almost see his point but most suppliers have a range of printed 20AX but none for 32A so you end up with an unlabelled switch or a stuck on label which is not great. Any views on this? Thanks.

 

[ferg]

Well the cable is rated @<32A

 

[Ian1981]

its 20 amp through the switch ie the max load.
Does that mean you can’t have a 13 amp fused spur?

 

[littlespark]

So what does your electrician want? 20AX gridswitch into a fused grid module to protect the spur?

What you have described is fitted in millions of homes across the uk.
Its just like having a spur off a ring, which is perfectly acceptable and within regs - (as long as its only to one point), but the spur has an isolation switch.
The only reason to have a fused spur is if theres more than one point served from the spur, ie a radial circuit off a ring

 

[Toneyz]

I bet the switch in a 13A double switched socket is not rated at 32A same principle.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

I bought a number of 20AX grid switches with printed labels on them e.g. washing machine. These were to put an isolator above the work top for a 13A switched socket under the work top in the utility room.

Why? There is no requirement for isolators above the worktop, and they look so ugly.
Also why 13a switched socket as well as an isolator, surely an unswitched socket is better if you have isolators?

The best isolation is pulling the plug. If there is a fault you will need to move the machines anyway so pulling the plug is easy.

 

[ferg]

The whole point of the isolators is to enable isolation of the appliance without moving it.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

In that case turn it off at the CU, or even the switch on the front panel.

 

[ferg]

I'm guessing the CU will be more than 2m away and the switch on the front panel does not isolate the appliance.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

So what? There is no requirement for isolators anywhere, so the CU can be used.