Lounge Fireplace

10-11-2013, 19:09

Hi all,

Strange question - in our living room we have an electric switch on the wall - it's a simple on/off job with a fuse - and about 2 ft from the floor. I originally thought this was for an an electric fire.

Now - we've just bought an electric fireplace but it came with a plug - so all good.

My question is - what's with the on/off switch /fuse for? I can't find another blanking plate where you'd wire in a electric fire, and when I opened the said on/off/fuse, there was nowhere to wire in an appliance.

So - what are these used for?

craigj2k12 · 11-11-2013, 04:03

I own a number of properties, and quite a few of them have these seemingly random switches dotted about the walls, I can only presume they were added for storage heaters, or other heating/dehumidifier devices used over the years

11-11-2013, 06:59

Yeah - but ours is new build - well it was when we moved in about 5 years ago...

blackthorn · 11-11-2013, 07:18

got 2 of these in my kitchen and 1 in the living room .They dont seem to turn anything on or off when I switch them.

Osem · 11-11-2013, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthorn

got 2 of these in my kitchen and 1 in the living room .They dont seem to turn anything on or off when I switch them.

Do your neighbours ever complain of their appliances randomly switching on and off?

progers · 11-11-2013, 07:28

How many wires in and out of it?

11-11-2013, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthorn

got 2 of these in my kitchen and 1 in the living room .They dont seem to turn anything on or off when I switch them.

In the kitchen they are generally for washing machine and dishwasher - we have two and that's what they are for. Actually we have four - another for the fridge and cooker.

---------- Post added at 10:47 ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by progers

How many wires in and out of it?

On ours? Standard 3 mains - L, E, N wires...

Taf · 11-11-2013, 10:31

One of each, or doubled up?

11-11-2013, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taf

One of each, or doubled up?

Are you referring to the comment about the 4 switches or the wires in the plastic box?

craigj2k12 · 11-11-2013, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Yeah - but ours is new build - well it was when we moved in about 5 years ago...

God knows, one of my properties has a switch next to every socket in the house, but it doesn't turn any of the sockets off!?! Its got an electrical safety certificate so who knows. Maybe its a practical joke among electricians?

Taf · 11-11-2013, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Are you referring to the comment about the 4 switches or the wires in the plastic box?

To the wires themselves. If there are only one of each, it sounds like a spur to which you can attach an external item like a fire. If the wires are doubled (2 in each connection point) it would probably be a ring main, but if the red wires are on 2 separate connectors it would be a switch point feeding something elsewhere.

---------- Post added at 13:12 ---------- Previous post was at 13:06 ----------

This is typical installation for an electric fire cabled output.

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/electrics/...tion-unit.html

Graham M · 11-11-2013, 12:25

Check this about half way down, looks similar? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storage_heater

Uncle Peter · 11-11-2013, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taf

To the wires themselves. If there are only one of each, it sounds like a spur to which you can attach an external item like a fire. If the wires are doubled (2 in each connection point) it would probably be a ring main, but if the red wires are on 2 separate connectors it would be a switch point feeding something elsewhere.

---------- Post added at 13:12 ---------- Previous post was at 13:06 ----------

This is typical installation for an electric fire cabled output.

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/electrics/...tion-unit.html

Wouldn't there be a separate circuit on the consumer unit if it were a ring main? Maybe there's a clue on one of the breakers.

Taf · 11-11-2013, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

Wouldn't there be a separate circuit on the consumer unit if it were a ring main? Maybe there's a clue on one of the breakers.

If it is on the ring, it would be protected by a circuit typically called "downstairs sockets" which would, of course, protect all downstairs sockets.

The same circuit breaker would also protect any spurs off that ring.

There should be many "rings" in modern builds (upstairs sockets, downstairs sockets, upstairs lighting, downstairs lighting, etc., with specific circuit breakers for showers, cookers, etc.

11-11-2013, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taf

To the wires themselves. If there are only one of each, it sounds like a spur to which you can attach an external item like a fire. If the wires are doubled (2 in each connection point) it would probably be a ring main, but if the red wires are on 2 separate connectors it would be a switch point feeding something elsewhere.

---------- Post added at 13:12 ---------- Previous post was at 13:06 ----------

This is typical installation for an electric fire cabled output.

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/electrics/...tion-unit.html

I love playing Cable Forum Bingo!

House!

That's EXACTLY what we have. When I originally opened it up, I didn't spot the extra three terminals to connect the appliance too.

I guess we need an electrician to cut of the plug off and then wire it up into this socket?