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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?
The point about the shower is that whilst you may not intend to use it routinely, a future occupier might wish to do so.
There are plenty of appliances in that kitchen - IMHO wiring in a more powerful oven to the socket circuit is asking for trouble.
So back to the shower. The surface-mounted switch is easily accessible in the kitchen. It really wouldn't be difficult to replace it with a changeover switch. Job done!
Yes I can see the important point being raised by you and others regarding future behaviours/future occupiers (or "abuse" as someone else referred to it). Your point regarding the other appliances on the kitchen circuit was something I have also been mulling over - it doesn't feel like the best option for the new oven to share a 32A circuit with a range of other appliances in the kitchen (everything from a washing machine and dishwasher to a toaster and bread machine), particularly when there is a separate 40A supply available within a couple of metres which is unused for 99.9% of the time.
So yes, from what I've read so far, the changeover switch remains the solution which represents the best balance between cost and safety.
So what might I expect to pay to have the existing switch replaced with a changeover, and to have the circuit extended 2-3 metres to the oven area?
The point about the shower is that whilst you may not intend to use it routinely, a future occupier might wish to do so.
There are plenty of appliances in that kitchen - IMHO wiring in a more powerful oven to the socket circuit is asking for trouble.
So back to the shower. The surface-mounted switch is easily accessible in the kitchen. It really wouldn't be difficult to replace it with a changeover switch. Job done!
Yes I can see the important point being raised by you and others regarding future behaviours/future occupiers (or "abuse" as someone else referred to it). Your point regarding the other appliances on the kitchen circuit was something I have also been mulling over - it doesn't feel like the best option for the new oven to share a 32A circuit with a range of other appliances in the kitchen (everything from a washing machine and dishwasher to a toaster and bread machine), particularly when there is a separate 40A supply available within a couple of metres which is unused for 99.9% of the time.
So yes, from what I've read so far, the changeover switch remains the solution which represents the best balance between cost and safety.
So what might I expect to pay to have the existing switch replaced with a changeover, and to have the circuit extended 2-3 metres to the oven area?
