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Electrical

Fitting a plug to a hardwired radiator

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.15 PM

I've got 4 sockets under my stairs that supply my phone, router and a receiver thing for my solar panels, behind the wall is a toilet with no heating and no pipework to plumb a radiator into the gas supply. I have bought an electric towel rad and it states that it needs to be hardwired in. How much of an idiot would I be if I ran a cable through and attached with a plug? (Sort of think I already know the answer to this) Alternatively can I run a cable through to the toilet and install a fuse and spur? Edit; https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/duratherm-electric-flat-white-towel-rail-700-x-400mm-150w-1636-1253536 Link of radiator

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

4 Answers

Anonymous user

Hi, Most towel rails are usually rated between 60 W - 150 W. I’ve seen some rated at 700 W. Therefore, and based upon the above, you can indeed connect it to a plug in terms of its design parameters, but if the manufacturer stipulates that it must be hard wired then it must be hard wired via a switched fused connection unit. You may be able to wire the SFCU from the sockets you mentioned, but that depends very much on how they’re wired themselves, because “spur on spur” scenarios aren’t permitted in BS7671 2018. As always, have an electrician attend and advise accordingly. Regards, Carl.
Answered23 September 2020
0

Anonymous user

The link points to a 150W rated towel rail which is a small electrical load. It could easily be connected to the circuits around the location. If I understand your description correctly the toilet back wall is under the stairs behind the sockets so it would be a simple job to wire a switched spur off one of the sockets and run the heating cable through the wall to it.
Answered24 September 2020
0

StrangLX

Rating: 5 out of 5
Broadstairs
The BS7671 requirements (the regs) state that any load over 2Kw should have a dedicated circuit so other comments on here are frankly wrong. If it’s less than 2KW I’d recommend adding a fused spur from one of the sockets to power the towel rail.... I also recommend getting a qualified electrician to do it for you as they will check many other things to ensure it’s safe and compliant. DYI electrical work can be shocking. Pun intended.
Answered16 October 2020
0