HELP PLEASE !!change heater supply to main socket?

[ultraman90]

I've taken out an storage heater recently and wish to put a main socket point over the existing supply point.
what else do i have to change? do i have to replace the fuse on the fuse box with a higher amp?

 

[Chri5]

Ultraman- More often than not a storage heater is run to a seperate fuse board / CU and that is then fed Economy 7 power via a time clock.

Pleae confirm the current arrangement so we can offer further help.

Considerations:-

Is the cable direct between the storage heater and fuse board
or
Does the cable feed more than 1 storage heater

What size is the cable, 2.5mm TE or 4.0mm TE
What's the condition of the cable, what colour is the sheath and the cores, are the cores solid or stranded.
What's the existing fuse rating for the cable

 

[Pensdown]

....and the circuit/socket outlet will need to have additional protection via an RCD (411.3.3).

 

[ultraman90]

picture shown is my fuse boxes ,i suspect the box on the right is the fuses for the heaters 15A 250v.
my house has 7 heaters ,upstairs are heater type 2 and downstairs heater type 1

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[Chri5]

Untitled

• ultraman90
• 16 Sep 2008
• 1

 

[JohnD]

the fuseholders with blue spots are (should be) 15 Amp. there should be only one heater on each circuit. if this is so you can put one single or double socket in place of each heater.

However, I presume you are doing this because you have insufficient sockets, and the CUs are probably in the region of 20 years old, so the guys want to know the age and condition of your installation since it might be due for renewal.

@ Pensdown, although I appreciate the benefits of RCDs, to what extent are they "required" with this sort of change?

 

[Steve]

the fuseholders with blue spots are (should be) 15 Amp. there should be only one heater on each circuit. if this is so you can put one single or double socket in place of each heater.

Was it never allowed to put two smaller heaters on one circuit?

And wont his new sockets only work at night?

 

[Chri5]

The RHS board ? Is it 6w, 7w or what (can't see far RHS die to storage obstruction).

That is obviously the storage heater CU and as such you would need to identify the cable that feeds the position you want to change to a socket.

Once done you would then have to take the cable out and move it over to the LHS board and wire it as a direct spur from the 30A (red) fuse position that corresponds to the floor ring circuit.

It's all a bit too fudgy for my liking and isn't a DIY job.

Is there not a socket near bye on the ring that could have a spur wired from it to the intended area, it's likely to be easier.

Although not unsafe, fuse wire carriers are a bit 60's / early 70's and I'd be thinking of a wiring update, a CU change to a 17th ed board with twin RCD's as a more likely priority first.

Could I suggest you have a PIR (periodic Inspection report) done to confirm the overall condition of your wiring is good, then if it is £300- £400 should get you a new fuse board / CU with the modern safety requirements of RCD's and switchable MCB fuses.

 

[JohnD]

Was it never allowed to put two smaller heaters on one circuit?

And wont his new sockets only work at night?

15A radial, there might possibly be two heaters, but there is generally only one

timer for Economy 7 - how could I have forgotten that

Can we see a pic of the meter(s) and any timer please? What Tariff is you electricity supplier charging you on?

 

[Pensdown]

Johnd, if the work is being done to the 17th (which it should be) the rules have changed for sockets.

411.3.3 states that socket outlets with a rated current not exceeding 20A that are for use by ordinary persons and are intended for general use must have additional protection in accordance with 415.1 which is a 30mA RCD

Exceptions - Socket outlets for use under the supervision of skilled or instructed persons.

A specific labelled socket or otherwise suitably identified socket outlet provided for connection of a particular item of equipment.

In summary, the 16th allowed non RCD sockets if they couldn’t be used for outdoor equipment. For domestic properties, the 17th only allows non RCD sockets if they are labeled for there intended use, i.e. Freezer Only.

Did I hear you say overkill?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I say the shameful abandonment of an engineers professional duty to provide a properly designed solution.

 

[Pensdown]

Yep, that as well.

I'm just waiting for the IEE to pop in and wipe my arse

 

[JohnD]

hooray for RCBOs