I've jsut moved in to a flat and its only got electricity. The water tank has an 3kw immersion heater in it directly wired to a switch.

Do these things self regulate their heat or if left on will they just burn out? if they regulate any idea what temp it'll turn off at? if they dont, how long is it safe to leave it on for?

It doesnt have any kind of timing gear on it, so what can I do if i want hot water for a shower in the morning? Is there any kind of timer I can buy and wire in? or am I stuffed?


Cheers
JAmes.

 

Yes they should self regulate the heat.
It should have a thermostat connected inline to the ellement and it should be set to around 60 degrees.

 

ours you can just leave on 24/7 and it should cut out at a certain temp, otherwise it would just blow up, that wouldnt be ideal would it

If your wanting to save pennys leaving it on all the time isnt the best though, but you can just put it on for an hour in the morning and evening or something or to suit you

 

Basically an immersion heater has an on off switch which can ba a fused spur unit if wired into the ring main or a on off switch with no fuse and having its own fuse/contact breaker at the fusebox/consumer unit. In either case it can also have a timer which can be either a digital or electro mechanical, but then again could be controlled by a timer that is the property of the electicity suppliers. In all cases it will have a thermostat that is accessible underneath the removable top (normally secured by a slotted screw or 8mm af nut) this is traditionally adjustable but over the last 3 or 4 years has been factory set to approx 65C and with a high limit cut off, before that the `stat was adjustable but ideaaly should not be higher than 60/65C as apart from the scalding aspect, limescale is deposited alot more at or above those temperatures - in other words boil the kettle for a bath

But seriously if you turn the immersion on in theory it should regulate itself through the thermostat but depending on your experience in these matters you could check the `stat setting by removing the imm htr cover (while switched off) or failing that ask a qualified plumber or electrician to check it for you...

bet you wished you`d never asked!

 

cant even be arsed to read all that its too late

 

Dont blame you - I had all on being arsed writing it

 

You can fit a timer similar to this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wired-Immersion-Heater-7-Day-Electric-Timer-T106-C_W0QQitemZ190259847948QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item190 259847948&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A1 2|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


From cold it will take around an hour to heat up.

If it's an older cylinder with a loose jacket, buy a new one and wrap the tank up tight. It will pay for itself in a few weeks.

If it's a modern one with sprayed on foam lagging it will keep heat quite well.

If it's around 5 years old or newer it should have a manual reset over temperature device as part of the thermostat, if your heater suddenly stops working check to see if that resets first.

Thermostat shouldn't be set any higher than 60, 55 is safer but the water will run cold sooner at that temperature.

.

 

Cheers guys!

JAmes.

 

i was always told during my apprenticeship to set em at 60` as thats the temp` legionaires is killed off at

 

correct

 

Legionella is re-produced at temps between 20 and 50.

60 used to be the recommended tank temp until a couple of OAP's were daft enough to die getting into a bath full of water at 60.
The recommended set point is now 55 unless there are thermostatic mixers fitted to baths and hand basins.

.

 

If your flat's all electric, the shower probably heats it's own water anyway, so the simple answer is: make sure your 'stat is at around 60, switch it on every night before you go to bed, and off when you get up, and unless you're bathing two or three times a day, there should be plenty of hot water for you.

That'll be £50 for my time and £100 'cos it's sunday!

 

Just noticed you're in Glasgow. If you have any troubles with it, gies a shout, an' I'll come round for a look.