Kitchen on the same ring circuit?

Question

I've got a end of terrace house, so I've got 4 circuits: lights upstairs, lights downstairs, sockets upstairs and sockets downstairs. The kitchen sockets (2) are in the same circuit as the downstairs sockets. There is also an independent circuit for the gas cooker/hob and 2 other sockets that run from this same circuit.

The question I have is:

Do I need to isolate the sockets in the kitchen and have them on it's own circuit? Or they are fine the way they are?

I am about to put a new floor down, so if any cable is needed this is the right time.

In terms of earth bonding, I was told that all that I need is a 10mm earth cable from the CU to underneath the sink. Is that correct?

I appreciate your support and advice.

Regards,

Lucci

Answer 1

oh yes defiantly separate ring main, and 10 mil earth is sufficient, you may want to consider separating WM TD from kitchen as they draw a lot of power,you may also want a separate 30 mil for eclectic cooker you never know they change their mind you know

Answer 2

It's usual to put the kitchen sockets on a separate circuit because you tend to need a lot of power there.  It's not compulsory, but you might as well if you're relaying the floor.

Answer 3

electrical code says that a kitchen shallbe supplied by 2 branch circuits not supplying any other part of the house.  however you do not need to make fixes if this is how it is allready wired as anythinig done is grandfathered in as up to code UNLESS you make changes to any of the circuits.  if it is currently working for you and not causing any problems i would not change anything,  as you would need to have an inspector come out and you would probably need to make alot more changes than you are thinking you need to.

Answer 4

There is quite a lot of sense in avoiding ring circuits in kitchens, and running sockets from a 16 or 20amp protective device with earth leakage trip.

Answer 5

Well, from your description, your installation doesn't comply with Regs (either todays or yesterdays), because of the spurs from a cooker circuit.

The bonding may or may not need to go under the kitchen sink; It needs to connect between the your side of the stopcock and the consumer unit.

Are you able to leave access under the new floor for rewiring? , particularly since you don't know what you are doing. Install conduit maybe

Answer 6

As ever - depends where you are, so lots of conflicting advice (not to say confusion going on here.  It is not unusual to have regular sockets on the main ring circuit. You then have 30A cooker run in separately, and it is permissible to have one 13A on this (there is usually a socket outlet with the cooker isolator switch). The spurs sound a bit iffy, so if you wanted to connect them onto the regular ring, that might be a good move and maybe add some more in.  Get this done by an electrician though, who can test the rest of the circuits at the same time for peace of mind and your own safety.

You should already have cross bonding of pipework and fixed metal items like sinks, and it is usual nowadays to use the one with the Consumer Unit rather rely on underground piping which may turn out to be plastic.