is RCD protection necissary for kitchens?

Question

the kitchen fitters won`t certify it without. Are they just trying to blag an extra£450 to fit a new board? and why can`t they just fit an RCCB?

this is an upstairs flat, by the way. good answers tho.

Answer 1

No idea - but do you want to be able to cook in your new kitchen or not - because unless you get it fitted they won't certify and YOU can't use the kitchen!

Why not contact your local council/authority - they should be able to advise you where to get the information

Answer 2

Hi Everyone,
Bezwic was actually asking on my behalf! I recently bought a first floor flat which was built in 1992/ 3. I recently ordered a new (replacement) kitchen. Fitters came in, ripped out existing kitchen and then said "we can't go ahead because your fuse board does not comply with current regs". The electrician then offered to install a new one for £450 + VAT. (Hmmm). The board is a Dorman Smith Load limiter. It's split between a 7 way and a main and a 4way and a main switch.

The kitchen job is a replacement job, barring one extra double plug point that the fitter has fitted. The kitchen ring and cooker (seperate) are existing electrical circuits. I had not had a proper cooker there before, but there was a switch on the wall labelled 'cooker' and a 45amp fuse on the fuse board labelled cooker.

Electrician is supposed to sign off the fitter's work but refuses to because of the 'non compliant' board. Do these circuits really need RCD's even though it's not a new circuit?

Any further advice greatly appreciated because all the stress is freaking me out! Can't sleep - been up since 3am worrying about it all!!! Help!!

Answer 3

Unless your board/consumers unit is very old there should be no need to replace it, neither is it necessary to have an RCD unless a kitchen socket is to be used for outdoor equipment, then a separate RCD could be fitted external to the existing enclosure. The only other reason could be to guarantee disconnection times, this depends on your earthing and other factors. Are they 'Kitchen Fitters' or is there an Electrician there??

Answer 4

No, you do not need rcd protection for your kitchen sockets. But if you have an old fuse board with re-wireable fuses the kitchen fitters are right they cannot issue a cert as that type of board is now classed as not to current standards. If your fuse board has circuit breaker (mcb's) they are just trying to get your money. RCD's are only required for appliances outside of the house or on long extension leads.

Answer 5

Try a threat to complain to Trading Standards that they are insisting that un-necessary work be done. You're right to ask why they couldn't just move sockets onto a mini-CU, (or fit an RCD socket by the back door).

UPDATE.
I think he's taking the piss.

What stage is this re-fit at? It sounds as if the work is complete bar the documentation. The problem is his not yours if it is...

You might want to look at P11 of this document. If you do need your piece of paper from Building Control there's more than one way to get it.

Answer 6

The reason sockets in a kitchen are RCD protected is because they can be used to plug in an extension that can be used outside. That includes the cooker control unit if that also has a socket on it. In fact all downstairs sockets should be RCD protected.
Depending on your consumer unit and how your kitchen circuit is wired, it may be possible to fit an RCBO for your kitchen circuit.
If you can provide more information as to how the kitchen is wired and what sort of circuit breaker it has, I may be able to help further.
If you are still in any doubt then you should seek further advice from a qualified electrician or two.