Hi,
I have an immersion heater which needed a new thermostat / element putting it which is not a problem as I can easily do that.
However the new thermostat / element has on it 20A 250V
Now the fuse in the wall next to the immersion hearter is only 13A Would this be okay to use or do I definetly need a 20A+ fuse in the wall?
2007-06-02 08:01:29 · 13 answers · asked by darrenmallory 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
when ever you mix electricity and water you need an electrician
2007-06-02 08:11:00 · answer #1 · answered by jose 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the rating on the element is upto 3/3.5 kilowatts then a 13 amp supply will suffice.
You cannot put a 20 amp fuse into the electrical outlet as this will not protect the cable supplying the circuit in case of a fault.
You will probably find that the existing circuit is a radial circuit with 2.5mm2 twin and earth cable , fed from a 20 amp breaker, with a 20amp switched isolation point, preferably with a neon for indication, next to the tank for maintenance and safety. This is fine for your requirements as most elements are 3kw, but will have a safety rating of 20a 240v
Feel free to email me for any further info.
Regards
info@awacsuk.com
www.awacsuk.com
NB. Guys and dolls, if you dont know an answer for an electrical problem, please don't best guess an answer, as it'll all end in tears for someone. There are a few sparks on this site and we are happy to share our knowledge, but remember. If in doubt, consult a professional, may just save your life
2007-06-04 04:44:02 · answer #2 · answered by awacsuk2000 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You've probably bought 13 amp mains cable rather than flex - the assumption is that you could run four sockets off 13 amp cable, so in reality the gauge of flex needed is much smaller. To work out the actual current drawn by an appliance, and therefore the size of fuse & cable required, divide the input wattage by the voltage to give current - For example, a 2kW heater will draw 8 amps (2000 / 250(ish))
2016-05-19 05:16:51 · answer #3 · answered by melaine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You refer to the 'element/thermostat' as if they were one unit, but they are two different items. I would guess that the element is 3KW, or 13 amps. and the stat is rated for a MAXIMUM current of 20 amps. You need to check the rating of the element, and ensure that it is 3KW.
It is not good practice to connect an immersion heater via a fused plug or connection unit, as it is always running at full load and the fuse and plug will get warm after an hour or so, this shortens the life of the fuse. Much better to be wired through a 20 amp DP isolator switch on an final sub circuit with a 16 amp MCB for protection. There is no reason to require a fused connection unit or plug/socket unless it is connected to a ring circuit, also bad practice.
2007-06-02 08:27:12 · answer #4 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
All of those people saying water and electricity don't mix should look at the 15,000,000 or so immersion heaters fitted to hot water cylinders in this country. The rating on the stat means it could be used for a 4.8 kw heater without causing it any damage. A 3 kw heater only draws 10 amps so your 13 amp outlet is quite suitable as is the thermostst you have purchased.
2007-06-02 22:32:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh dear - if you do not know the answer to this you certainly should not be putting in the new heater!
If it says 20A it presumably means it! So you cannot wire it to a plug because they have 13A fuses.
If you can find a suitable 20A fuse that would do it but can you be sure that the cable to it is suitable/ really the ideal is to get one that is no more than 13A. Remember the formula of OHMs law "AMPS x VOLTS = WATTS" so if you are on 240 volts you are trying to install a heater of almost 5 kw!
2007-06-02 08:12:59 · answer #6 · answered by Davy B 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Follow the operation advice mr jay gave you, but as for the fuses, they are the MAX ratings the device can handle.
The 20 A fuse can handle UP TO 20 amps and no more, the 13 A can handle up to 13 amps and no more. That is what those ratings mean.
Now, go follow jay's advice on operating your heater.
2007-06-02 08:44:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
a 3kw heater takes 13.2 amps so it will last for a short time but needs to be upgraded check the fuse board and the size of the breaker controlling the heater if it is a 15a-16 or 20 amp then the cable to the heater will be alright at 20 amps the cable should be 2.5mm-2 the same size as the cables in your power sockets
2007-06-03 02:38:27 · answer #8 · answered by sparks9653 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with eveyone answer water and electricity do not mix. Please hire and electrician before somone gets hurt. All water related equipment need to be GFCI protected and properly installed.
2007-06-02 12:02:45 · answer #9 · answered by John T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
take some friendly advice...you're dead a long long time? get in a professional,if you don't know what you're doing you might as well take a bath with a toaster?
2007-06-03 00:30:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋