Immersion Heater Wiring Question (E7)

Pincher

jonnysarmbrace wrote: »

So does the above just replace the switch face-plate?

Also, when I unwired the 2 elements, it appears that the middle element was wired with the neutral and live the wrong-way round. I know it reverses polarity, but what the consequence of that is, I don't know...

It's just an on/off switch, but it times out. It is also correctly rated for an immersion element, 3kW.

You should also check:

The idiot didn't use a 6amp light switch to switch a 13amp immersion element.

The idiot used the correct heat resistant flex cable. 2.5mm I think.

There is a separate 13amp fuse for each immersion element.

I think the immersion elements should be on a separate MCB in the consumer unit, i.e. separate from the ring main.

I have the timer faceplate, without a fuse, because I have a separate MCB for that immersion element.

I am not an electrician, mind.

macman

Since the block is only 5 years old, this was presumably wired by a so called professional electrician-it's not a DIY bodge-up.

jonnysarmbrace

Pincher wrote: »

It's just an on/off switch, but it times out. It is also correctly rated for an immersion element, 3kW.

You should also check:

The idiot didn't use a 6amp light switch to switch a 13amp immersion element.

The idiot used the correct heat resistant flex cable. 2.5mm I think.

There is a separate 13amp fuse for each immersion element.

I think the immersion elements should be on a separate MCB in the consumer unit, i.e. separate from the ring main.

I have the timer faceplate, without a fuse, because I have a separate MCB for that immersion element.

I am not an electrician, mind.

Yeah cheers, the elements have their own MCB in the consumer, and the elements have 13a fuses at the wall switch.

As for the cables, they certainly look most other heavy-duty flex I've seen before so I'm not too worried.

Will definitely have to get a boost timer, as I don't trust the other half to remember to switch it off at the wall every time!

SYNERGY

jonnysarmbrace wrote: »

Well it seems I've had boost on since I moved in around August!

So does the above just replace the switch face-plate?

Also, when I unwired the 2 elements, it appears that the middle element was wired with the neutral and live the wrong-way round. I know it reverses polarity, but what the consequence of that is, I don't know...

Also, when I unwired the 2 elements, it appears that the middle element was wired with the neutral and live the wrong-way round. I know it reverses polarity, but what the consequence of that is, I don't know...

In this instance it doesn't make any difference due to the element being switched by a two pole switch, ie both live and neutral are switched, though there is no excuse for wiring it the wrong way.

Where transposing live and neutral is dangerous, even deadly, is where an electrical item is controlled by a single pole switch.

Even with the switch off many components in side will still be live :eek:

Pincher

macman wrote: »

Since the block is only 5 years old, this was presumably wired by a so called professional electrician-it's not a DIY bodge-up.

He who lives by electricity, dies by electricity.

A team of senior electricians should wire him up and pull the gullotine (how apt:D) switch.