time switch

[mikeypikey]

hi
a friend recommended that i purchase a 20 amp d/p time switch to replace a 1 gang 1 way swich that controls my oil central heating system...the circuit is protected by a 10amp mcb...should i increase the size of the 10amp mcb to a 20 amp mcb as the 20amp time switch will need 20amps to operate?

 

[Spark123]

No, 20A means the Maximum that the switch can handle, it will only consume a few watts in use and will run fine from with the 10A MCB.

 

[mikeypikey]

thanks spark123
i cant understand amps...let me ask one more probably naive question...if the amperage of my motor for the pump in the central heatral heating system is more than the mcb protecting it,does this mean that it is safe to operate as it wont be drawing full current or does it need the full current that it is rated for to operate...unlike the time switch???

 

[breezer]

1 gang 1 way swich

can not have a time swithc as a direct replacement.

a switch has a live (in) and switched live (out) if you will.

a time switch has the above, but in order for the timer part to work, it also needs a neutral, which is probably not there, since it is not required.
How ever who ever wired it may have run a cable in (from the supply) then out (to the boiler) and connected the neutrals via a choc block

The job is easy, but i would suggest you do some more reading first.

Electricity has no prejudices, it kills anyone

 

[Spark123]

thanks spark123
i cant understand amps...let me ask one more probably naive question...if the amperage of my motor for the pump in the central heatral heating system is more than the mcb protecting it,does this mean that it is safe to operate as it wont be drawing full current or does it need the full current that it is rated for to operate...unlike the time switch???

A motor is a piece of current using equipment hence it uses current and in this case converts it to rotary motion. It will only take full load current when it is at full load, anything much over this should opeate the protective device whatever it is. However saying that, 10A does seem a bit excessive for a central heating motor unless it is a big one! If it is a fair bit smaller then it maybe should have its own protective device. Best to check the instructions for the motor on that one.

Echo what Breezer says too about the switch and leccy taking no prisoners.

 

[mikeypikey]

thanks lads...your a couple of gents