Radial Or Ring

[Ash]

I'm going to be running a dedicated circuit for just a washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher.

I want to just run a 20A radial for this. (10m cable max) With all of them going at once, would this be enough?

Whenever I try and find out ratings of white goods I mainly just get the kWh a cycle uses.

 

[pewter]

why not a 32A radial

 

[M107]

Why only 20A?

If your set on wanting a radial use 4mm & put in a 32A circuit, gives you scope for future expansion of the circuit.

 

[kerching]

At an educated guess all of those appliances use about 10A each.........................so NO :coat

 

[Ash]

One of those things where I'll have a reel of 4mm t&e in my van for a year again

 

[M107]

2.5mm RF then.

 

[betty swollocks]

Just buy 10m of 4mm t&e then

 

[M107]

But then he wont have any cable left over to put in his van Betty

 

[pewter]

Or 3x 16A radials on t+e 2.5mm

 

[m4tty]

Ring

 

[binky]

20a radial is unlikely to work with all the appliances running at once.

Personally I would 4mm radial on a 32A MCB, but I can understand is you don't want to do this Ash, although once you get used to 4mm you might find that it's not in the van for long.

 

[betty swollocks]

But then he wont have any cable left over to put in his van Betty

Silly me how short sighted of me!

 

[kerching]

if worried about it being left on the van for eons.......leave the van doors unlocked.......simples

 

[Doc Hudson]

One of those things where I'll have a reel of 4mm t&e in my van for a year again

Just buy 10m of 4mm t&e then

Many wholesalers still have the option to purchase cable by the meter if you are absolutely sure you wont need a full reel. Even available on line if your local wholesaler will not do cut lengths. http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Twin_and_Earth/index.html 4.0mm T&E £1.50 per meter. With VAT & postage still under £25.00. Probably work out more economical in both time & money rather than messing around with a short ring. With regard to the overall loading, as Kerching suggests, when the heating elements are on the appliances with be 10A+ each. As most dishwashers & washing machines just have a cold feed that has to be heated up and I very much doubt if any of the appliances only have a 5A fuse in their plug.

Doc H.

.

 

[IzzyS]

• Don't forget that 4mm cable may possibly be under rated for use with a 32A MCB, depending on installation method.  You may need a 6mm (!!!) radial if the cable runs through an insulated wall, even if in contact with the plasterboard.

 

[Ash]

Think I'll go with 4mm. It's only a very short distance running free under kitchen counters, 6mm would be overkill

 

[steptoe]

I ran a 2.5 radial in for my washing machine, then the mrs decided she wanted the dishwasher beside it so ran in another, rather than use up 2 ways in my already overpopulated board I decided to link them both to my OS socket and make a ring of the 3 of them, bit of a bodge as I wanted my OS socket on its own, but still no big issue if any item trips out as they have all got DP sw/fused spurs on them so can be seperately isolated,

and they are not crucial items.

 

[OnOff]

Think I'll go with 4mm. It's only a very short distance running free under kitchen counters, 6mm would be overkill

Make sure, with 4mm that you use sockets with a decent amount of room to get the cables in............with these Volex designer things in the photo you struggle to get 2 x 2.5mm in unless you don't mind copper showing. TBH I've been countersinking the square hole a bit so the insulation sits under.................spurring off is a pain i.e. 3 cores. Using 4mm here would be grief! 

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z346/clicon357/85/PC090036.jpg

 

[apprentice87]

Sockets that you cannot get the cables in...Makes you wonder who designs the crap.... How do they get it past the british standards people?? I suspect they are no more than a money making scam now though...

john

 

[sellers]

I'll take the 4mm, go through loads of the stuff!