HOT WATER THERMOSTAT CONNECTION

[STI]

Hi all,
A simple question but i want to make sure. I have a joules hot water tank. There are no other things run off it but the hot water and its not a smart device. Where the the thermostat attaches to the element, the tank is marked N and T. ( Therefore I assume T is the live). Earth is connected to the bolt connection that holds the protective cap once the the stat is in place. However to fit the replacement stat i have, its live terminal slots onto the neutral and neutral to the T. It will not go on the other way round because the earth bolt hits and obstructs the thermostat casing. Am i correct that as long as the thermostat is connected to the mains correctly i.e. live to its live and neutral to neutral all is ok. because heating element has no other function than to complete the circuit.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Where the the thermostat attaches to the element, the tank is marked N and T. ( Therefore I assume T is the live).

Neutral and Thermostat.

Earth is connected to the bolt connection that holds the protective cap once the the stat is in place.

Ok.

However to fit the replacement stat i have, its live terminal slots onto the neutral and neutral to the T.

BANG!

It will not go on the other way round because the earth bolt hits and obstructs the thermostat casing. Am i correct that as long as the thermostat is connected to the mains correctly i.e. live to its live and neutral to neutral all is ok. because heating element has no other function than to complete the circuit.

I think we need a picture.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I think I misunderstood and you might be correct but why does it not fit properly?

Is this the correct diagram? Have you bought the wrong thermostat?

 

[STI]

Hi Efli,

Thanks for the reply. Your first diagram is correct but where you show l + n on the stat case on the hexagonal nut below they would be (in my current case) be the opposite way N and T. Regarding the wrong stat purchase, its interesting. The tank came with a guarantee and when my first stat went i got a replacement from the manufacturers. The first two they sent gave me the same issue as i describe above, the third fitted. All looked exactly the same but as i say the 3rd fitted. They didn't want the other two back so now after 3 years i need to replace the replacement. Rather than go through the same effort trying to get one that does i thought i would try the route i have asked the question about. It is working as far as i can tell and everything switches as it should but i was concerned in case if a fault occurred would the breaker still trip.I cant see why not because to my mind the element is just like a filament in a bulb, it does nothing but get hot and isnt effected by live and neutral connections being in a certain position.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Your first diagram is correct but where you show l + n on the stat case on the hexagonal nut below they would be (in my current case) be the opposite way N and T.

Interesting.

The diagram is from Joule's manual.

Regarding the wrong stat purchase, its interesting. The tank came with a guarantee and when my first stat went i got a replacement from the manufacturers. The first two they sent gave me the same issue as i describe above, the third fitted. All looked exactly the same but as i say the 3rd fitted. They didn't want the other two back so now after 3 years i need to replace the replacement. Rather than go through the same effort trying to get one that does i thought i would try the route i have asked the question about.

Fair enough.

It is working as far as i can tell and everything switches as it should but i was concerned in case if a fault occurred would the breaker still trip.

Yes, the breaker will still be in the (as we call it for some reason, the not neutral one) the line conductor no matter which terminal you connect it (or what colour it is).
Plus - it is alternating current.
Even if the L & N were marked as the diagram, it would not matter which way round you connect the brown and blue wires,

I cant see why not because to my mind the element is just like a filament in a bulb, it does nothing but get hot and isnt effected by live and neutral connections being in a certain position.

Correct.