Timer Switch for Immersion Heater

jackieblack

I'm looking for a timer switch to use on my immersion heater.

I've noticed that some say, in the product description, that they are not suitable for use with an immersion heater.
Why would that be?
Is there something I should be looking for in the description/specs to choose one that is suitable?
Or is it not really a good idea to use a timer switch with an immersion heater?


Any advice would be appreciated
Thank you

Quiet_Spark

jackieblack wrote: »

I'm looking for a timer switch to use on my immersion heater.

I've noticed that some say, in the product description, that they are not suitable for use with an immersion heater.
Why would that be?

Probably because the current rating wasn't up to the job.

jackieblack wrote: »

Is there something I should be looking for in the description/specs to choose one that is suitable?

You want one that can switch a 13 amp load

jackieblack wrote: »

Or is it not really a good idea to use a timer switch with an immersion heater?

Makes no odds.

Myser

The Horstmann immersion heater timers tend to be quite popular:

http://horstmann.co.uk/water-heating.php

jackieblack

Myser wrote: »

The Horstmann immersion heater timers tend to be quite popular:

http://horstmann.co.uk/water-heating.php

Thanks, but I was thinking of one of the timers that plug-in to the socket (in the airing cupboard) and then the immersion is plugged into the timer, (IYKWIM).

Quiet_Spark

Plenty of them on ebay

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/111044724204?_lwgsi=y&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=64

Jonesya

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks, but I was thinking of one of the timers that plug-in to the socket (in the airing cupboard) and then the immersion is plugged into the timer, (IYKWIM).

A hardwired one would probably be safer - better, solid connections so less risk of the plug-top or timer over-heating from a poor connection.

Myser

Jonesya wrote: »

A hardwired one would probably be safer - better, solid connections so less risk of the plug-top or timer over-heating from a poor connection.

I totally agree with Jonesya - especially if the immerion heater is in the bathroom.

It shouldn't be too difficult to replace the socket with a dedicated hard-wired immersion heater timer.

If you still want to go down the route of using a plug-in timer, you may want to consider a digital one which gives you more programming options. It will also store the settings and keep time in the event of a power cut:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMETU17.html

jackieblack

Jonesya wrote: »

A hardwired one would probably be safer - better, solid connections so less risk of the plug-top or timer over-heating from a poor connection.

Myser wrote: »

I totally agree with Jonesya - especially if the immerion heater is in the bathroom.

It shouldn't be too difficult to replace the socket with a dedicated hard-wired immersion heater timer.

If you still want to go down the route of using a plug-in timer, you may want to consider a digital one which gives you more programming options. It will also store the settings and keep time in the event of a power cut:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMETU17.html

Thank you both. I was concerned about whether this was a good idea as it would be hidden away (usually behind a big pile of washing!)

I assume I'd have to get an electrician to install a hard wired one?
Also, I'm not sure where they'd be able to wire it.
The hot water cylinder is in my airing cupboard, which has a door from the landing. Currently, it plugs into a standard plug socket (with an on/off switch) on the back wall of the airing cupboard a few inches above the top of the cylinder.
There is another plug socket (for the shower pump) immediately above the socket that the immersion is plugged into.

Myser

jackieblack wrote: »

Also, I'm not sure where they'd be able to wire it.

The hard-wired timer would replace the plug socket that the immersion heater is currently plugged into.

Do you solely rely on your immersion heater to provide hot water or does your boiler usually heat the hot water in the tank?

jackieblack

Myser wrote: »

The hard-wired timer would replace the plug socket that the immersion heater is currently plugged into.

So I would need to make sure that the height of the timer is no greater than the height of the socket as there is no 'wriggle room' between the shelf and the upper socket.

Myser wrote: »

Do you solely rely on your immersion heater to provide hot water or does your boiler usually heat the hot water in the tank?

In the winter the water is heated by the gas boiler.
In the summer (in good weather) we use the immersion as we try to utilise the excess electricity generated by our solar pv system.

At the moment it is a question of me remembering to turn the immersion on, and remembering (or trying to) to turn it off again, at the socket. I thought a timer might make this easier.

Myser

jackieblack wrote: »

So I would need to make sure that the height of the timer is no greater than the height of the socket as there is no 'wriggle room' between the shelf and the upper socket.

Most hard-wired immersion heater timers would replace the same wall space as a double plug socket. If you only have a single socket, you would need to check that you have the correct wall width available to fit the equivalent of a double socket.

The Horstmann Electronic 7 is about £70. So a plug-in digital timer would be cheaper. You may struggle to fit a digital plug-in timer if you don't have much vertical height.

Unless you purchase something like this:

http://www.wilko.com/electrical-accessories/wilko-electronic-timeswitch-24h7day/invt/0155321

Once set, you wouldn't be able to see the time/settings (as the top face would be up against the shelf) and you'd need to make sure that the shelf isn't pressing down on any of the buttons too!