Can I put my immerser heater on a timeswitch? Could I do it myself?
2007-03-09 05:08:26 · 5 answers · asked by mrs tog 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Domestic immesion heaters are either 'hard wired' to a spur from your consumer unit or they are connected using a 15amp plug and socket in your airing cupboard.
If you want to fit a timeswitch you must install a high quality 13amp socket and plug your timeswitch into that. You will also need to fit a very high quality 13A plug to the heater's flex. Anything other than the very best plug and socket will have a short life and could fail in a dangerous manner (overheat and start a fire in your airing cupboard).
Note that if you do this then you will be doing work within the scope of the Building Regulations Part P and, by law this will need certifying by an authorised body or your local council. Failure to do this may invalidate your houshold insurance.
The timeswitch itself must also be capeable of switching 13A (this is not guaranteed for contiuous switching for most of them because they're not designed for that sort of load).
It is possible to get 'hard wired' timeswitches so that the plug and socket arrangement isn't necessary. These are quite costly but within a 'ball park' of buying the separates. You probably won't find them at B&Q though.
The fact that you have to ask the question at all shows that you're not confident or adequately skilled to do the job. Your admission of this and your willingness to check the possiblility does you credit. Well done for being cautious. I wish other people were so honest and didn't dick-about with electricity in their houses.
Personally, I think you should get a sparky in to do the job. £50 would be well spent and it wouldn't invalidate your insurance when it all burns down.
Make sure that he gives you a proper certificate to show that the work complies with the 16th Edition IEE regs and Building Regs Part P. This is a legal requirement.
2007-03-09 09:03:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just make sure that the time switch is rated for the size of the immersion heater. The operating voltage and current should be printed or stamped on the immersion heater.
2007-03-09 06:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by frozen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use a plug in timer, as you will then have to use a fused plug, and a 13 amp fused plug will get warm with the 'continuous' full load of 3kw. Better to use hard wired 'immersion heater ' timer it will last a lot longer as they are rated for this type of load.
2007-03-09 09:21:36 · answer #3 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can, just make sure it will take the load. Domestic immersion heaters are 3 killowatts and about 13 amps
2007-03-09 05:53:51 · answer #4 · answered by Glenn M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but make sure its is rated for the size of heater. Try your local electrical whole seller as they will have the correct unit for you.
2007-03-09 07:54:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋