by ericmark »
Fri May 30, 2008 3:18 pm
Most washer, fridge and freezers will have a fuse in the plug and because the same item must be useable thro out the common market and only the UK has fused plugs all overload requirements for non built in units must be within the appliance and the manufacture is not allowed to rely on the fuse in the plug. This does not apply to built in appliances. The fuse in the plug for non built in appliances is only to protect the flex. So you need either fuse in plug or fuse in fused switch unit not both. The normal method is to use grid switches and a socket near to the appliance. The grid switch can have all three appliances switched from the one unit. The ability to remote switch for non built in units is not a requirement but very handy so they can be defrosted without pulling them out. Also with the amount of fires in washing machines switches on them is recommended. On built in units remote isolation is required and fusing as to manufactures recommendations. Once you move to built in units the manufacturer can stipulate what he likes this has become quite a problem with split level cookers where two separate overloads may be required and the standard trip in the consumer unit may not be good enough.
You don’t say if the units are built in or free standing also any electrical alterations in a kitchen will come under Part P there is a link in projects section.
