I s there a way to fit a timer to a night storage heater

[leftthetrade]

I have a flat which is in occasional use. Fitted with 3 x night stoarge heaters, it keeps the place warm but also when Im not there. The ideal situation is to fit a 7 day timer so I can have the heaters on for only 3/4 days a week to reduce running costs while keeping out damp.
The question I have is where is best to fit a timer, ideally each with its own so I can cycle the heat throught the place.
For instance can the DP switch at each heater be replaced with a single socket and a 20amp timer used with a plug fitted to the heater?
I know I can have a relay fitted at the CU but this would switch on all of the units at the same time.
I am time servced but left the trade a while back and not up to the latest regs. I will be employing an electrician to do the work with current part P. I just would like to know options if anyone can sugguest please.

 

[holmslaw]

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[leftthetrade]

You could use immersion heater timers, they are normally rated at 3Kw.

So you would have to check the rating of your heaters to make sure they are 3kw or less.

Hi holmslaw, thank you for your suggestion. I had a look around for these but they are quite large, I was hoping for something to fit on a single socket box.
I have seen underfloor heating which has a nice little timer sits flush in a single box but I did'nt know if it had to have a thermo couple connected.

 

[holmslaw]

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[Aragorn84]

Something to consider would be that a timer designed to sit on a FCU might not like the fact that the power goes off during the day (assuming its on economy 7 or an equivalent).

It would probably require a battery backup or similar to keep the time and on-off settings while the mains was off.

 

[leftthetrade]

Ha Ha, I've been editing the link on my post, the link thats there now is what you're looking for.

Not sure what link you are talking about?

 

[leftthetrade]

Something to consider would be that a timer designed to sit on a FCU might not like the fact that the power goes off during the day (assuming its on economy 7 or an equivalent).

It would probably require a battery backup or similar to keep the time and on-off settings while the mains was off.

Hi Aragorn84, yes I thought mechanical dial would need no back up but a digital will need a battery as you say.
Do you know if I can change the socket to a plug? I am trawling through regs as we speak.

 

[holmslaw]

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[holmslaw]

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[leftthetrade]

Well I feel a bit of a berk, yes the mechanical requires juice I didnt think of that. thank you for that.

Okay back to the digital with battery back up.

I did speak to one heater manufacturer who said fitting a plug and using a socket would be against the regs. I cant find justification for this and as I said Im from the trade so wanted to check this is fact and not a sales pitch.

 

[flameport]

Some storage heaters are more than 3kW, so they couldn't be connected to a plug. Smaller models could be, although this would not be a normal choice.

 

[holmslaw]

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[leftthetrade]

Some storage heaters are more than 3kW, so they couldn't be connected to a plug. Smaller models could be, although this would not be a normal choice.

Hello Flameport, the largest is 2 KW so approx 9 amp allowing for tolerances. the other two are 1.5KW each.
I thought I would be okay with a socket and 13amp plug with a 20A contact time switch. It would stick out from the wall but a bit but easier to programme then plug in without getting down on your knees and I could always plug it direct into the socket if it gets in the way when we are there.
I was concerned with heat from the current but all of the items are rated above operating current. I thought about double pole isolation but you cant get more isolated than unplugged. I cant see the manufacturers problem.

 

[flameport]

If the heaters are 3kW or less, they could have a plug on them.

Most heaters would not normally be fitted that way, as people could unplug them resulting in the heater not working overnight (the occupants would only realise they next day when the house was cold).

There would also be the possibility of someone unplugging the heater and trying to use the socket for something else, only to find it didn't work. If for example they left a portable heater plugged in, it would switch on when no one was there and could cause a fire.

In your situation this won't apply, as you will obviously know what the sockets are for and how they work.

 

[leftthetrade]

If the heaters are 3kW or less, they could have a plug on them.

Most heaters would not normally be fitted that way, as people could unplug them resulting in the heater not working overnight (the occupants would only realise they next day when the house was cold).

There would also be the possibility of someone unplugging the heater and trying to use the socket for something else, only to find it didn't work. If for example they left a portable heater plugged in, it would switch on when no one was there and could cause a fire.

In your situation this won't apply, as you will obviously know what the sockets are for and how they work.

So would you agree it is workable? Do you know if the regs state otherwise?