Which amp fuse??

cuffie

I am REALLY sorry to be thick here, but my dishwasher plug has a 13 amp fuse in it. This is plugged in behind the kitchen wall units. On the wall above the worksurface is the neon switch that controls it. What amp fuse should be in this neon switch??
Thanks. x

ghandi

If the neon switch is fused (not all are) - use 13 amp fuse, nothing smaller.

cuffie

Thank you! I thought so, but I looked in one of the other switches that we have for undercupboard lighting and that was 3amp, which I know makes sense, but I was just doubting myself!! Thank you. x

Boilercare

ghandi If the neon switch is fused (not all are) - use 13 amp fuse, nothing smaller.

The size of the fuse is intended to protect the current carrying capacity of the cable/wiring.
Therefore NOT all fused spurs (with or without a neon) should be fitted with a 13Amp fuse.
This ruling also applies to ordinary 3 pin plugs too. Read the instructions that came with the appliance if they are available, or use the following rule as guidance;

The current rating of a fuse (the Amp rating) should be greater than the current drawn by the appliance, but lower than the current carrying capacity of the wiring.

Hope that's not too confusing, but in general terms it means that you should always use the smallest fuse you can.

Regards
Dave

TimBuckTeeth

It is correct that not all fused spurs should be fitted with a 13A fuse, fans and lighting should usually be 3A.
But if the fused switch unit is feeding an under worktop mains socket then a 13A fuse should be fitted.
The advice to use a 13A fuse is correct for this application. If the dishwasher is directly wired into the switch then a 13A fuse (the same as originally fitted in the plug) would be correct.

Moneymaker

Do a search and you'll find plenty of sites that explain fuses.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wfc2.htm
http://www.glodark.co.uk/fuses.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061015185549AAsyalA
http://fuseone.com/fuseology.aspx

ghandi

Boilercare wrote: »

The size of the fuse is intended to protect the current carrying capacity of the cable/wiring.
Therefore NOT all fused spurs (with or without a neon) should be fitted with a 13Amp fuse.
This ruling also applies to ordinary 3 pin plugs too. Read the instructions that came with the appliance if they are available, or use the following rule as guidance;

The current rating of a fuse (the Amp rating) should be greater than the current drawn by the appliance, but lower than the current carrying capacity of the wiring.

Hope that's not too confusing, but in general terms it means that you should always use the smallest fuse you can.

Regards
Dave

I thought that a fused spur off a ring or radial final should have a minimum 1.5mm cable because the max domestic fuse size capable of being used in the FCU is 13 amps?

The OP asked specifically about a dishwasher, average of about 2Kw, therefore over 700W (use 3 amp fuse below this and 13 amp above this - appliance manufacturer standardisation!)