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Two high-power appliances on a single 40A RCD
Former Community Member
I have an electric shower installed on a 40A RCD, in a room adjacent to my kitchen. The shower is only used in an emergency - i.e. when our gas boiler is unable to provide hot water to our main bathroom. I would like to take a spur from this 40A connection to use for a new double oven, which is rated at 32A. Can anyone advise on a safe and legal way to do this, ensuring that only one of the two appliances can be connected at any one time?
Interesting debate! To further clarify, in case of any doubt, the circuit in question has no sockets. It is a hard-wired connection which was installed specifically for the electric shower, 10 years ago. The proposed solution would add a 2nd hard-wired connection, for the oven (with a switch to ensure that only one can use the circuit at any one time).
..something to ensure that they cannot be used simultaneously is fine.
To David, the reg number is a few pages back.
This is an existing circuit. A shower circuit. Not relevant how often it is used. I It was designed " as is". So Ib has been decided before any inkling of adding to it. Your motor example is a different application and environment.
To add another load increases Ib by dint.
It does,however raise another issues of the bar for safe for continued service as opposed to compliance with BS 7671.
You could, for example, install to your own judgement, ignore BS7671 and bang test it. It works (up to a point). It could then be subjected to trial by EICR code , have a load of C3's and be found "satisfactory"......essentially avoiding BS7671.
Do you think that is a good thing? Your margin for error is gone or reduced. How does this not adversely affect the process as being fit for purpose? It is worth repeating; this is someone's house.
Interesting debate! To further clarify, in case of any doubt, the circuit in question has no sockets. It is a hard-wired connection which was installed specifically for the electric shower, 10 years ago. The proposed solution would add a 2nd hard-wired connection, for the oven (with a switch to ensure that only one can use the circuit at any one time).
..something to ensure that they cannot be used simultaneously is fine.
To David, the reg number is a few pages back.
This is an existing circuit. A shower circuit. Not relevant how often it is used. I It was designed " as is". So Ib has been decided before any inkling of adding to it. Your motor example is a different application and environment.
To add another load increases Ib by dint.
It does,however raise another issues of the bar for safe for continued service as opposed to compliance with BS 7671.
You could, for example, install to your own judgement, ignore BS7671 and bang test it. It works (up to a point). It could then be subjected to trial by EICR code , have a load of C3's and be found "satisfactory"......essentially avoiding BS7671.
Do you think that is a good thing? Your margin for error is gone or reduced. How does this not adversely affect the process as being fit for purpose? It is worth repeating; this is someone's house.
