Matt wrote:
On 2 Oct 2006 10:19:09 -0700, "Ren"
wrote:

Don't worry - there is lots of info regarding split CUs in the d-i-y
archives. After a lengthy study, I have come to the conclusion that
the cooker stays off the RCD (as you have suggested) as most cookers
'leak' anyway.

Which is fine right until the point the oven element fails and the
break in the earth conductor in the consumer unit that has gone
un-noticed for months/years/forever means the fuse doesn't blow and
the oven casing rises to mains potential.

A fatal shock is about the 6 inches of reach between the oven and the
nicely bonded "split level" gas hob sat right above it.

Apart from the last bit which was narrowly avoided by the owner
switching off the cooker at the wall switch the above is actually what
happened on an installation a few weeks ago. The earth had failed
right in the middle of a sleeved run in the consumer unit. A simple
visual examination wouldn't have picked it up.

Put the cooker on the RCD!


Put it on a 100mA full house trip. Put socketry on 30mA as per regs.

The stove will normally leak enough to get a tingle off if its not earthed.