Electrical requlations question.
 

I'm looking to fit an immersion heater timer. The timer would fit in the airing cupboard in the bathroom where the heater is. The timer would be replacing the current on/off switch. Do I need an electrician to do this, or am I allowed to do it myself? I don't understand all the rules and regulations.

Thanks

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

You don't have to use an electrician, but you do have to do the job to regulation standards.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

Which means what, exactly?

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

The electrical regulations are at :-

http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/hse.htm

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

^ This. You need to use to wiring rated for the load, you have to use appropriate colours for Live and Neutral, sleeving on the earth wire, and more. Have a look at Ken's link.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

And be very very sure that you've isolated the circuit in question, ideally by setting the master switch on the distribution board (fuse box) to off.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

Are you using the existing cabling. If so it should already conform to all necessary regulations and requirements. Basically all you are doing is replacing one type of switch (manual) with another kind (timer).

Connections on the timer should be clearly labelled so should be no more difficult than changing a plug ;)

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

I'm using the existing cables that are wired into the on/off switch. I shall be cutting the power at the fuse box, and as a double precaution, also switching off the power switch located in the kitchen.

Thanks guys.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

I used to make a habit of placing removed fuses into my overall pockets.
Why not disconnect/remove existing isolation switch and reuse wiring for timer?
Most timers have a selection switch marked timed/continuous even an off position.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

Should be straightforward. Immerser switch should be double poled (i.e. both the live and neutral are broken by the switch) so just ensure you mark the existing cables when you remove them. (A little bit of masking tape, easy to mark and easy to remove).

Connect the cables into the corresponding connections on the timer switch.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

Should be okay with the wire markings, the supply cable is gray with black neutral, red live, bare earth, immersion wiring is blue neutral, brown live and green earth.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

One thing to remember is that there must be a local means of isolation (i.e. an actual "off" switch), or so I was told when I put a "one button" immersion heater timer in, so I left the original fused connection unit in place.

Re: Electrical requlations question.
 

^^ Yes, keep the original fused switched outlet in place as it may be a spur off the local ringmain rather than a dedicated circuit and needs local protection.