Hive Installation

[CraigFa]

Hi
Also posted this in the outside UK forum


Just got hold of a Hive to install it on my heating only circuit

My current Thermostat only has 3 connected wires - looks like I need to make the wires a bit safer than whoever installed it

I live in Austria and am a bit confused on how to wire up the Hive since I only have 3 wires

The heating is controlled by a solenoid/actuator - see the photo

Any advice welcome

Thanks

 

[Taylortwocities]

My first impression is that the wiring is not fit for purpose. It looks like you have rubber-insulated conductors and the rubber is failing. There are bare, live conductors there.
You need to replace the cable before a fault occurs. You may cause big problems if you disturb what is there.

 

[CraigFa]

agree its looks a bit scary, insulation behind the bare section looks ok. i thing whoever fitted it broke the insulation - cowboy i think
if cable is damaged i will replace it

any clues on connectivity

 

[Spark123]

You don't have a neutral there so it won't work.
You need an electrician to either replace or do away with that cable, the hive receiver can probably be moved elsewhere.
I don't have a clue on the legalities of doing this work in Australia.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Austria.

 

[stem]

First of all the wiring should be the first thing to rectify. There should not be any of the conductor visible.

Your installation is slightly unusual to us here in the UK as you are using both sides of the changeover contact (NO, Normally Open and also NC, Normally Closed) However, the Single Channel version of the Hive provides exactly the same switching functionality as you have now, so it shouldn't present a problem.

The first part is fairly easy.

The photo inside the lid tells you what the present terminals are, but first check that the terminal marked L is a permanent live at mains voltage, just in case your system uses a voltage other than 230v. If it is 230v, then the below applies if it is something else eg 24v post back for further advice.

A = Permanent Live
B = Heating on (Normally Open)
C = Heating off (Normally Closed)

If you look at the Hive, you can find corresponding terminals.

L = Permanent Live
3 = Heating on (Normally Open)
2 = Heating off (Normally Closed)
You will then need to add a link wire between the Hive L and Terminal 1 (Common)

The next part could be more difficult though.

Because your existing programmable thermostat is battery operated, it doesn't need a Neutral so there may not be one there for you to use. However, the Hive being mains powered does need a neutral. The cut off blue wire may be a neutral but you will need to trace it back to see where it goes, and if you can connect it to a neutral.

 

[Echo the husky]

What does normally closed (open) mean?!

 

[stem]

What does normally closed (open) mean?!

Eh? Have I made a typo somewhere?

 

[Echo the husky]

No it's printed on the valve!

 

[stem]

Ah yes, so it does! Wonder what that means! Is there an Echo in here? [See what I did there ]

 

[stillp]

I don't have a clue on the legalities of doing this work in Australia.

Austria, not Australia! Probably illegal in Australia, haven't a clue about Austria.
Needs the cable replacing though, whoever does it.

 

[Spark123]

They're both south of the UK lol!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What does normally closed (open) mean?!

(Auxiliary contacts)?

 

[Spark123]

Or is it referring to the valve configuration as opposed to a switch, i.e. it is normally closed and opens when power is applied?

 

[stillp]

I think it means that the contact is normally closed when the valve is open.