Daz33 Â Â 10 #1 Posted March 24, 2017 We are having issues with our immersion heater so I turned the immersion heater switch off at the fuse box. This also turned the power off to the burglar alarm as it started beeping and the screen said mains power failure. When i flicked the fuse switch back on the alarm stopped beeping. Is is normal to have a burglar alarm on the same circuit as immersion heater? Or is this dangerous? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
spider1 Â Â 11 #2 Posted March 24, 2017 The immersion heater should be wired to a 3 point plug so you can unplug it .No need to mess with fuse board Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Bargepole23   337 #3 Posted March 24, 2017 The immersion heater should be wired to a 3 point plug so you can unplug it .No need to mess with fuse board  Poor practice to have the immersion heater on plug and socket, FCU is a better solution.  Not dangerous to have the burglar alarm on the same breaker/fuse as the immersion, as long as the cable to the alarm is suitably sized for the breaker/fuse size. Again, poor practice though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
spider1   11 #4 Posted March 24, 2017 Poor practice to have the immersion heater on plug and socket, FCU is a better solution. Not dangerous to have the burglar alarm on the same breaker/fuse as the immersion, as long as the cable to the alarm is suitably sized for the breaker/fuse size. Again, poor practice though.  Are you knit picking regarding immersion heater on a 3 point plug. I have had 2 properties just fitted with new fuse boards and they both have plugs on immersion heater certificates came with completion. Shall i get them back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
butlers   261 #5 Posted March 24, 2017 I would certainly ask them about it.I have never seen an immersion on a plug, all our rental properties and home are wired through a Fused Connection Unit, FCU.  Go look at the cable to them its nearly impossible to get 2.5mm heat resistant flex into a plug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Hippogriff   10 #6 Posted March 24, 2017 It's not going against any regulation. It is generally accepted as poor practice, and that is what was said. I researched this about a year ago - found myself on some IET forum, or something, there was consensus from the assembled 'experts'... it's not wrong, it's just not right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
butlers   261 #7 Posted March 24, 2017 http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/3kw-immersion-off-a-13a-plug.53661/   this kinda thing...  Turns out it is an ok set up if its a 15A rated plug plug. Athough why anyone would go that route I do not know  N Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Hippogriff   10 #8 Posted March 24, 2017 This was the discussion I'd read - from 2007 - but still valid I'd say.  http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=21291  Basically, spider1, you might want to at least consider getting the person back.  Anecdotal - "In my view to use a 13 amp plug and socket to supply a 3KW immersion heater is poor practice, though not specificaly prohibited by any regulation. I have seen a great many 13 amp plugs and sockets that have overheated when used thus. Also 2.5mm heat resisting flex is generally recomended for immersion heaters, such flex can not be neatly and correctly terminated in most 13 amp plugs." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
spider1   11 #9 Posted April 6, 2017 This was the discussion I'd read - from 2007 - but still valid I'd say. http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=21291  Basically, spider1, you might want to at least consider getting the person back.  Anecdotal - "In my view to use a 13 amp plug and socket to supply a 3KW immersion heater is poor practice, though not specificaly prohibited by any regulation. I have seen a great many 13 amp plugs and sockets that have overheated when used thus. Also 2.5mm heat resisting flex is generally recomended for immersion heaters, such flex can not be neatly and correctly terminated in most 13 amp plugs." Yes of course you are right hippo as usual now had them sorted [ a new project i am trying out ]:hihi: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Hippogriff   10 #10 Posted April 6, 2017 Yes of course you are right hippo as usual now had them sorted [ a new project i am trying out ]:hihi:  Unsure why it's so funny... but really good that you are remedying it and taking it seriously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
rsheptheowl   10 #11 Posted April 8, 2017 An immersion heater should be connected into a FCU not a plug head.. this is very poor practise and to get a 2.5 mm heat resistant flex into a plug head is a struggle on its own. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...