Replacing immersion switch with extra wires

NorthernLights811 · Sunday at 10:26 AM

I want to replace my single immersion heater switch with a timer one.
However, in my current one, I see extra wires that wouldn't have any place in the new one as shown in the pics.

The new one only has 1 earth, in and out for the brown one and the blue. The read seems to be connecting 2 points on the actual switch.

What I would do is connect both earth wires on the one earth screw on the new one, connect the blue and brown, and leave the red out. I'm not sure though. Any thoughts?

Also, how do I distinguish the load from the supply? I was going to just remap it 1-to-1 i.e. unscrew L1 from the old one and screw it L1 on the new one. However, there is only IN and OUT on the new one.

I would think that L1 is IN and L2 is out?

Is there any way of identifying which is which? All of them are clustered together in the wall so I can't tell which is which.

chivers67 · Sunday at 12:19 PM

The only way to distinguish which is the feed is to test it with a volt stick or similar. If the switch is pressed off the one that stays live is the power supply, I can't see what purpose the Red strap is providing, maybe someone else can.

flameport · Sunday at 12:24 PM

Looks like the original switch has the fuseholder as a separate assembly, with the red link between the switch and the fuse.

NorthernLights811 · Sunday at 2:05 PM

There's also 2 L1s as I can see, one with a brown and one with a red wire.

Murdochcat · Sunday at 2:21 PM

Can you post a photo of the room facing part of the switch

Rodders53 · Sunday at 2:22 PM

Other side of the original switch, please. I'm thinking a bath/off/sink immersion switch - two immersions...

EFLImpudence · Sunday at 2:29 PM

NorthernLights811 said:
There's also 2 L1s as I can see, one with a brown and one with a red wire.

Yes, but the red bit is just a bit of wire because the fuse is connected separately.

NorthernLights811 · Sunday at 2:31 PM

NorthernLights811 · Sunday at 2:32 PM

EFLImpudence said:
Yes, but the red bit is just a bit of wire because the fuse is connected separately.

View attachment 355572

How weird. I don't think the fuse was connected later though as the switch is one piece with the fuse.

NorthernLights811 · Sunday at 2:33 PM

Rodders53 said:
Other side of the original switch, please. I'm thinking a bath/off/sink immersion switch - two immersions...

I only have 1 immersion heater, at least this is what is was when I bought the property... It doesn't look like there was a second one or any other device. The extractor fan has its own switch.

EFLImpudence · Sunday at 2:38 PM

NorthernLights811 said:
How weird. I don't think the fuse was connected later though as the switch is one piece with the fuse.

It is odd. What make is it? I can't remember.

NorthernLights811 · Sunday at 2:45 PM

EFLImpudence said:
It is odd. What make is it? I can't remember.

Doesn't mention. Could it be just an old design whereby you had to connect the fuse separately for some reason?

EFLImpudence · Sunday at 2:48 PM

The only reason I can think of is if you wanted a fused switch without a fuse -

after all they also make fused switches without switches.

Adam_151 · Sunday at 3:42 PM

EFLImpudence said:
It is odd. What make is it? I can't remember.

Looking at that, something in the back of my mind is saying Clipsal.....

EFLImpudence · Sunday at 4:16 PM

Well done. I can't find any pictures of the back - or description.

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Replacing immersion switch with extra wires

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