Fused connection unit (page 1)

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Use of fused connection units

Appliances which are located in a permanent position may be connected to the power supply with a fused connection unit.

Some in fact may only be connected in this way.

For bathrooms, these must be mounted out of reach – outside the room, or for an appliance like a radiant heater (which itself must be mounted high up), high enough that it cannot be touched when using the bath or basin.

These units have their own fuse which provides additional protection at this point. They can be connected as part of a ring main, as a spur from a ring main or on their own radial circuit. Indeed for some appliances the latter is the only allowable method, and you should employ a professional electrician to do this work.

Switch off the power at the consumer unit and remove the fuse for the circuit.

The procedure for installing a fused connection unit in a ring main or as a spur from a ring main is similar to that for a socket outlet. The difference being that the flex or cable for the appliance also has to be connected.

Connections

When you look at the back of the face plate of the fused connection unit you will find there are more connection terminals than on a socket outlet. There will be two marked ‘mains’ of which one is labelled live and one neutral. There will be two marked ‘load’ of which one is labelled live and one neutral. There will also be two earth terminals appropriately marked with the earth symbol.

Continued...

• Supply new socket from another socket
• Supply new socket from a junction box
• Extending a ring main to supply a new socket