Patio heater (hard wire)

hadley1 · Feb 9, 2022

Hi all,

I am looking to install a 3kw patio heater spurring off an existing socket (on a ring main) as below:

1. Cable to isolator switch (32 Amp TP&N Rotary Switch Insulated Weatherproof - IP65 | Contactum (DX032AC) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMDX032.html)
2. Cable from isolator switch to 16A push switch (16 Amp Time Delay Touch Timer - IP66 | Elkay (560A-1) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK560Adash1.html)
3. Cable from 16A switch into patio heater.

Cable will be 1.5mm2 SWA.

Is this proposal OK?

Thanks.

MJPD29 · Feb 9, 2022

Certainly not what I would do. I would have a 3kw load on its own dedicated circuit.

hadley1 · Feb 9, 2022

It would mean a lot of builder's work to put on a new circuit. The current circuit is on a 20A MCB which feeds two double sockets, neither of which are in use.

Petej999 · Feb 9, 2022

hadley1 said:
Hi all,

I am looking to install a 3kw patio heater spurring off an existing socket (on a ring main) as below:

1. Cable to isolator switch (32 Amp TP&N Rotary Switch Insulated Weatherproof - IP65 | Contactum (DX032AC) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMDX032.html)
2. Cable from isolator switch to 16A push switch (16 Amp Time Delay Touch Timer - IP66 | Elkay (560A-1) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK560Adash1.html)
3. Cable from 16A switch into patio heater.

Cable will be 1.5mm2 SWA.

Is this proposal OK?

Thanks.

No general advice is any load of 2KW or over needs to be on it's own circuit spurring from an RFC is not advisable, 1.5MM2 is hardly large enough for the 3KW heater load

hadley1 · Feb 9, 2022

Petej999 said:
No general advice is any load of 2KW or over needs to be on it's own circuit spurring from an RFC is not advisable, 1.5MM2 is hardly large enough for the 3KW heater load

Thanks - sounds like I will need to re-think.

Cable length will be 20m, will 1.5mm2 not suffice for 3kw?

MJPD29 · Feb 9, 2022

hadley1 said:
Thanks - sounds like I will need to re-think.

Cable length will be 20m, will 1.5mm2 not suffice for 3kw?

With all due respect, I think you should contact a spark

hadley1 · Feb 9, 2022

Yes potentially but it would render the project unfeasible hence why I ask the cable size as I imagine the cost of an electrician will be considerably less if they simply do the terminations.

littlespark · Feb 9, 2022

only 2 sockets on a 20A? So is this a radial circuit, and not an RFC as you believe?

If its a radial, then I would say its fine to add this load... its protected by 20A... Is there an RCD for this circuit?

I would use 2.5mm SWA, however, as it will be the same size as the supply cable to the sockets.

Petej999 · Feb 9, 2022

hadley1 said:
Yes potentially but it would render the project unfeasible hence why I ask the cable size as I imagine the cost of an electrician will be considerably less if they simply do the terminations.

The Spark as you call him.her will need to size the cable and OCPD and test the installation on completion so it's not just termination that's involved Mate, could be a problem getting someone to do this work if they weren't involved in the complete install, just saying, not just a case of lashing in the cable either length of run and installation method need to be accounted for.