Old immersion switches

[SUNRAY]

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• DamianB
• 20 Jun 2018
• 1

Switch in kitchen

I have a switch in my kitchen above which is live and I suspect used to power the immersion and maybe a fan. This looks as if it feeds another switch in my airing cupboard which looks ancient.

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• DamianB
• 20 Jun 2018

Switch in airing cupboard

. Could anyone let me know if my assumptions here are correct.

I would like to update these and would appreciate some advice. Would it be a case of ripping both out and adding a new conventional switch in the airing cupboard ?

Many thanks

Damian

What you have there is a very standard system, Others have described it perfectly.
I guess your installation hails from the 70's or possibly 60's, three pole isolator switches were not available in a domestic version then and 3phase isolator switches, such as your metal unit, were used. It will be rated at no more than 15A I'd guess. Ours from the early 50's was cast iron of this style:
Modern alternatives are available as 'Stem' has mentioned if you wish to retain the system.
Is this is your main means of heating your domestic hot water and are you on E7 tariff? If so I'd suggest something like this:

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The thought of cranking that to on terrifies me.

Connect the output to a small MP3 player with speaker tucked out of sight nearby, have it play one of these sound effects when switched on, and terrify others:

The one starting at 1:05 is particularly good, and lasts long enough to cover the "OMG" and panicky switch off time

 

[securespark]

Aha! Now I can see your images.
Yes, as everyone else has commented, you have a dual element, which will account for the thick butyl flex.