Using immersion heater cct for other things?

[Midge]

The immersion heater circuit in the airing cupboard of our house has at some point had a conventional dual-gang 13A socket spurred off it (used for a shower pump currently). I don't believe we have ever used the immersion heater so I haven't done anything about it until now (i'd wish to keep it though in case the c/h ever packed in). The circuit is fused at 20A and appears to be 2.5mm sq conductor cable.

I'm contemplating two things:

1. Putting my tumble dryer in the airing cupboard too - where the combined loading may well exceed 20A if anyone did happen to flip the immersion heater switch while the tumbler is running.

1. Having under-tile heating installed in the en-suite loo next door when the floor is re-tiled (it's a small room so not talking huge wattage).

It would seem pragmatic (and less costly for me!) for whoever I get to do the floor heating to continue to make use of the immersion heater circuit given how convenient it is, but is there a proper/acceptable way of doing this in regs?

I was thinking it *ought* to be acceptable to have a single-gang change-over switch (if there is such a thing - I've never seen one!). One way switches to the immersion heater's switched outlet, and the other way to the 13A socket and an RCD protected outlet for the floor heating).

Thoughts?

TIA, Midge

[ARWadsworth]

Intersting. It is a deviation from the usual regs but I am sure that it could be done safely. Would something like

you? I cannot find its wiring specs at the moment but it is a start.

Other thoughts are a fish key switch as these are usually rated at 20 amps.

As you said RCD is needed on the underfloor heating so a RCD fused spur will be OK for that purpose.

Adam

[Midge]

Hi Adam - I'd imagine this is for controlling situations where you have a small and a large element for heating different amounts of water (hense the sink and bath markings). The second switch would be a changeover as is suggested below and would do the job cleanly so thanks for that. Midge.

[ARWadsworth]

That was for someone else. Sorry. It was meant to be.

You would still need a double pole switch for the immersion of course. It may be possible (but not best practice) to take the underfloor heating from the feed to the switch so that the underfloor heating is available at all times.

Adam