Storage heater doesn't work (fuse?)

Lifeforms

I rent, and my only used storage heater didn't turn on last night. As I was in bed by the time it would've come on, I don't know if it simply didn't turn on, or if it came on for a bit, then stopped. It's cold so if it did go on, it didn't for long.

As I rent, should I be fiddling around (if I knew what to fiddle with?!) to try and get it running, or just report as a problem needing sorting. It's wired into a socket like this, so I can't even see if the light comes on.

I think it's also wired into a lighted switch to "boost" elsewhere in the flat.

It's quite old, can't actually get the fuse cover off to see (cupboard in the way) with a flat inspection today, so will pull it out after that to get the cover off. What fuse am I likely to see in there? If it's 13a, i can replace those, but if it's beyond that I had no idea where to get it, and whether it'll solve it. So should this be some thing I report as needing a tradesman out for? (or if it is likely the fuse, where can I get one to replace myself)

HappyMJ

Just report it...let the landlord sort it. If you don't feel comfortable with electrics then you shouldn't be touching them. You don't even know what type of fuse it should be even guessing without looking....it will certainly not be a 13A fuse it will be much higher at 30A and due to that I would not suggest you touch it.

Lifeforms

HappyMJ wrote: »

Just report it...let the landlord sort it. If you don't feel comfortable with electrics then you shouldn't be touching them. You don't even know what type of fuse it should be even guessing without looking....it will certainly not be a 13A fuse it will be much higher at 30A and due to that I would not suggest you touch it.

Thanks, if it is just a fuse, then I can replace that, but no idea where I'd pick up one bigger than 13a anyway. Just looking forward to the inevitable wait of repairs. I wish you could just call an electrician out, and send the bill on!

~I really don't feel comfortable with electrics from being aged 12ish and trying to rewire a phone socket with out some wire strippers, using my teeth to strip it. Tingly!(but lesson learnt) to having a dad who nearly electrocuted himself by chiselling through a light wire whilst telling me it was perfectly safe and I didn't need to turn off the fuses... (and more!)

Cardew

Are you sure the storage heater is on a fused circuit rather than one with a RCD(i.e.trip) that can be reset?

Lifeforms

Genuinely don't know. It's wired into the above socket, then I seem to have two lighted switches near the bathroom (which I think I worked out was a override switch for each of the two storage heaters i have) and main fuses are like this:

And of course nothing is labelled, or marked, or have instructions on how use/fix/do.

I'll bring it up at the inspection today, and let someone else fix it. too much of not knowing what's wrong

Cardew

If my memory serves me well, the red fuses are 30 amp and blue 15 amp.

With the power switched off it will do no harm to pull them out and check.

macman

The rating will be marked on the fuse within the FCU-replace with the same. Any electrical shop or contractor can supply a fuse.
Test the existing fuse with a multimeter.

dieselglider

There'll be a 13Amp fuse in the heater switch in your first picture.

Just slide out the little fuse holder on the left, lever it out with a screwdriver in the recess. Other than that, you couldn't be expected to go any further if you're not sure what you're doing.

Ectophile

An FCU (fused connection unit - the thing in your picture) will only take up to a 13A fuse. Each storage heater shouldn't need more than that anyway.

If you have other heaters, and they are still working, then it won't be the one in the consumer unit/fuse box.

The fault could also be inside the storage heater - perhaps a blown thermal fuse, faulty thermostat or dead element.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

do you dry clothes over the heater?

There's a thermal cutout inside the heater, near the controls, and if the vents are blocked/covered, it will overheat and fuse.

raquel6

Funnily enough i had exactly the same thing happen to me this week, there should be a concealed reset button at the bottom of your heater - maybe under a panel, you can press this and it should come on again. (mine is a dimplex heater)


(it trips out by putting washing on the heater apparently as the last person rightly said - and that's what I must have done!)

Good luck:D