Fertech http://www.burnleyplumbingsupp...-2-year-warranty.html

come with a moulded plug fitted to the flex.

Andy

Gloworm: On one page it states that it is preferable to connect the boiler to a SFCU but makes a proviso that the boiler can be connected via a plug and socket to BS1363, as long as its not in a bathroom, then on the next page the diagram shows the supply permanently wired.

Table 53.2 states that plugs and sockets are not suitable for emergency switching, but can be used for isolation.
So we can assume that it would be nice if we had both isolation and emergency switching functions close at hand but really it doesn't matter about emergency switching when push comes to shove!

It seems that its a question of what the definition of 'permanent' means in this situation.

Legh

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Why do we need Vernier Calipers when we have container ships?

http://www.leghrichardson.co.uk

"Science has overcome time and space. Well, Harvey has overcome not only time and space - but any objections."

You didnt look in the right place

Who's found a source of BS 1362 sockets and plugs then? Doh!

Why an unswitched socket?
- Andy.

LOL you can only get them from a plumbing supply trade counter

Edited: 13 September 2011 at 10:47 AM by zeeper

You do need to be a little careful of the term "manufacturers instruction". I would like it struck from the regulations as some of the things they say are ridiculous. A very specific instruction such as "DO NOT....." is reasonable enough, but other vague comments about how a 3A fuse is housed (plug or FSU) are simply preferences. The remark seems to have made its way into the regulations from the manufacturers group, but their own implementation should be specific, say why BS7671 does not cover the case without modification, and refer to the particular regulations concerned. This information should be fixed to a notice on the appliance for the use of future inspectors. A search on the net is totally unsatisfactory, as there is no connection to a particular product or manufacturing date (in other words it could even be retrospective!).

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David
CEng etc, don't ask, its a result not a question!

I saw a Baxi today with both the phase and neutral fused, surely this can't be right?

Andy

Feed the boiler from a fcu via a plug top, thats whats in my house.
The fcu to compy with the manufacturers instructions, the plug so i can use my generator during power cuts and have heating.

Acceptable within an appliance, though not normally for premises wiring.
Presumably these appliances are sold internationaly, including in countries were both poles of the supply are live or potentialy live.

There are probably still some 3 phase, 4 wire 127/220 volt supplies in use in parts of Europe.
Also probably still some 3 phase 3 wire 220 volt delta systems.
In either case fuses in both wires are required to protect against an internal fault between the blue wire and a water or gas pipe.

Also in parts of Europe, polarity at sockets outs is either pot luck, or the plugs can be inserted either way round.

The opening of a fuse in the neutral would still leave a lethal voltage on internal parts of the appliance, but anyone working on it should be aware of this and isolate it properly, not rely on a blown fuse in one pole only.

I favour plug and socket supply, not only to facilitate use of a generator, but also to provide more certain isolation for repairs.
By removing the plug from the socket, it is beyond doubt that the supply is dissconnected.
Turning off a fused connection unit relies on it being dry, undamaged, and correctly wired in the first place.

Good and reasonable explanation, however at the end of the day it the fuse holders are just mounted on the end of a "chocolate" strip connector that push fits onto a peg in a housing, easily swapped for a UK specific version to comply with UK rules and methods of installation, or doesn't it matter that the neutral is fused. I assume that it doesn't.

Andy

It was told more than once by local Corgi/Gas Safe plumbers (I'll not use the term "heating engineers") that they preferred the boiler on a plug top if possible/acceptable by the customer because they didn't need to go through any Proving Dead procedure if they just yanked the plug out but they would if they just flicked an FCU.

I guess they were thinking about those rare occasions when someone who gives a damn might be watching!!

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"I learned very early the difference between knowing
the name of something and knowing something". - Richard P. Feynman

One day they will get to a boiler where the power supply into the boiler can be disconnected, but the boiler is still live because a separate feed has been run to the programmer/ thermostat. I have seen several boilers wired this way with two power supplies.

Andy