On 30/05/2021 16:35, Grumps wrote:
> On 28/05/2021 18:42, ARW wrote:
>> Of course 10A MCBs are available which might be suitable (if 16A is
>> for some reason not) and they would not trip with a 2kW heater.
>>
>> Keep us updated.
>
> So, I had a quick visit to the property (still haven't got the full EICR
> yet) and had a look at the wiring behind the FCU. Well would you believe
> it, it's almost certainly only 1.5mm2. I measured the cable (with my
> trusty plastic vernier) and it was a little more than 8mm but much less
> than 10mm.
>
> I don't have any edition of the regs but I do see table 4D1A (which is
> probably for most domestic situations) that shows max capacity of 1.5mm2
> cable as 14.5A (cable is plastered into the wall).
I think you are looking at the wrong installation reference method.
"Buried in masonry" is treated as method C, same as "clipped direct". So
on current draw alone 20A would be a closer estimation. (there may be
voltage drop issues if the cable is long) See:
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/Cables#Metric_Cables
> So the electrician was partly right I think. 16A MCB is too much, but
> his suggestion of 6A would be too little. When I get the report I'll
> have a chat and hopefully come to a compromise of using 10A MCBs.
I would argue that 16A is fine for a number of reasons. Primarily, the
MCB only *has* to provide fault protection at the origin of the circuit,
not necessarily overload protection - that can be done elsewhere (a spur
on a 32A ring circuit being a prime example - the 32A MCB will not
provide overload protection for a single length of 2.5mm^2).
You seem to have adequate overload protection via two means - firstly by
selection of power consumption of the appliance - since this is hard
wired you don't have to consider someone "plugging in" a too heavy load.
Secondly you mention a FCU. That kind of implies a 13A fuse is the
highest that can be fitted there, and that will also prevent overload on
the cable.
> The property was re-wired in 2004. Would (or did) the regs change
They have changed in that time (from the 16th to the 18th edition - so
new rules on RCD protection, and maximum permitted earth loop impedance
Cmin factiors[1])), but not in ways that would have a bearing here.
> or did
> the original installer make a mistake?
Not really - just engineered it to meet the requirements without any
additional overspend or overbuild.
[1]
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/Calculating_A_Cable_Size#17th_Edition_Amendment_3.2C_Cmin_factor
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/BS7671_Wiring_regs_changes_-_17th_edition