Wiring Immersion Heater

Kevin · 2014-06-24T12:42:43+00:00

The plumber doing some work on the cylinder commented on wing the immersion heater through a double pole switch rather than the single pole spur switch. He mentioned the heating from the high load of the heater but I don't see why a double pole switch will handle the heat effect better. Doesn't a double pole just switch the neutral as well? The immersion heater circuit is a spur off of its own mcb on the consumer unit then via a single pole switch in the kitchen and a second single pole switch in the airing cupboard. The immersion heater is only ever used when the boiler is out of commission for any reason. Kevin

Jun 24, 2014 45 Replies

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ARW 12 years ago

Allowable by the regs (especially with an unswitched socket). It's just not best practice due to the 3kW loading.

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Tim Watts 12 years ago

Could always use a 16A Commando :)

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ARW 12 years ago

That would be allowed.

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Adam Funk 12 years ago

That's what I was told years ago by an electrician I respected --- if you run a plug right at 3 kW for long periods (whereas a kettle runs for a few minutes then has a break) you're pushing it.

Please wear underwear while wiring.

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Tim Watts 12 years ago

Although if we are getting all technical- it does have unshuttered holes... ICBA to look up the regs but IIRC there is a specific reg for this in a domestic setting.

I reckon it's OK though if it's either well out of reach of kids/the stupid/other-at-risk-people - or - has an interlocked switch.

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