Can I install an 2kw electric fire to this switch?

jonnydeppiwish!

When the gas safe person disconnects the gas fire, get them to check as they’ll have a better idea given they have to have some electrical training to sign off boilers etc.

housebuyer143

@ThisIsWeird

Here is the photo of the wires. Looks like narrower wires to the fire compared to the ones coming from elsewhere 

FreeBear

Looks to be on the ring main, so should be OK for a 2KW heater. Would be as well to add some grommets round the knockouts, but the electrician should be able to do that along with any other remedial work required.

ThisIsWeird

As FB says.

That's good news - the FSU itself is receiving a full supply, and is happy. If the current fuse is less than 13A, it'll need changing.

If the feed wire exiting the FSU to the connection plate is thinner, it'll likely be 1.5mm as opposed to 2.5 - no great surprise for its original intended use.

Now, 1.5mm is technically ok for carrying 13+ amps, which is the most that the FSU would be allowed to deliver in any case, and easily enough for a 2kW heater. But, whether it's 'correct' to retain it and not upgrade to 2.5mm, I don't know.

If the short length to the plate is easy to replace, then the sparky may wish to do this. But if it means wrecking the wall, then they may ask if you are ok with keeping the 1.5. Or they may say nothing at all!

Personally, regardless of the regs, I would be 'ok' keeping it 1.5mm (provided it is 1.5mm, and not 1...)

housebuyer143

Thanks everyone..I feel like I should be able to get this fire working one way or another 👍 

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

As FB says.

That's good news - the FSU itself is receiving a full supply, and is happy. If the current fuse is less than 13A, it'll need changing.

....

I would check to make sure it is on a ring circuit rather than making that assumption.

I'd also look at what else is on the same ring to make sure adding a 2kW electric fire isn't going to cause problems with tripping.

ThisIsWeird

Darn, I missed my 'almost certainly' caveat.

All info is given on the assumption that HB143 is getting a sparky in to do the work.

Almost certainly you are good to go, HB

housebuyer143

ThisIsWeird said:

Darn, I missed my 'almost certainly' caveat.

All info is given on the assumption that HB143 is getting a sparky in to do the work.

Almost certainly you are good to go, HB

Ha ha, I am definitely not going to attempt this one myself 👍 I feel confident now though an electrician will get it working on that switch 😃

FreeBear

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

As FB says.

That's good news - the FSU itself is receiving a full supply, and is happy. If the current fuse is less than 13A, it'll need changing.

....

I would check to make sure it is on a ring circuit rather than making that assumption.

I'd also look at what else is on the same ring to make sure adding a 2kW electric fire isn't going to cause problems with tripping.

It could be a spur leading to another spur, so I would concur. It needs checking.