Wee eletrical question.

ash_scotland88 · 23 Jul 2017 at 14:52

Just moved house and changed out the cheap sockets in the kitchen, admittedly without checking. There's a fused switch that does nothing, guessing previous owner removed something.

Is there a reason why I shouldn't replace the switch with a single socket?

rexehuk · 23 Jul 2017 at 15:11

In my head a FCU is usually spurred off a ring with something sitting behind it. So I guess the only risk is that you have more sockets potentially sitting behind the FCU and then you're effectively spurring a spur once you convert it into a socket.

If you're sure there is nothing behind the FCU, then can't see a reason why it would be bad?

HardwareGeek · 23 Jul 2017 at 17:44

If you remove the FCU and look at the terminals, if there is nothing coming out of the LOAD terminals then it is not powering anything, you can then just swap to a socket

ash_scotland88 · 23 Jul 2017 at 18:25

By deduction I know it's not powering anything, unless it switches off something upstairs

There are cables coming out of load, but I could always put them in a bit chocci block, waygo, heliocon etc to stop bare ends touching?

The run of work surfaces they are on has the microwave, toaster and DAB with only a double socket, and the only higher draw device used at rare times would be an old kenwood mixer.

ron3003 · 23 Jul 2017 at 19:57

You're certain it's not controlling anything? Cooker Hood Fan, Spark Igniter for Gas Hob, Extractor Fan etc?

ash_scotland88 · 23 Jul 2017 at 20:37

Only two things on this side of the kitchen KS fridge freezer and washing machine. Washing machine has a lead running to a double13 just above the skirting on the wall and the FF is supplied by an other FCU.

It's currently off and everything appears to be working.

platypus · 25 Jul 2017 at 11:40

It depends on what fuse is in the fused socket, but in general if its definitely the only spur from the consumer unit with standard (or thicker) cabling and a normal breaker, it will be fine.

Entai · 25 Jul 2017 at 12:26

Double / triple check everything all around kitchen and in rooms next door.

We had similar thing when I was checking wiring in my brothers place a few years ago.

Two FCU's on kitchen wall where it was not obvious what they did.

By process of elimination and tracing, one powered the oven on the opposite wall of the kitchen, and one powered a heater in the old wooden framed lean too/conservatory on the other side of outside kitchen wall.