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Hi - I have searched on various 'immersion' heater threads and got some clues to my question, but am not confident in my assessment of my problem - so hoping soemone can advise please.
I have a double 13amp RCD socket in an airing cupboard upstairs. It is fed with 2.5mm cable direct from the consumer unit from a 16amp MCB (type B I think). Currently, a shower pump (300w) and the boiler (3amp fuse required, but sure of wattage rating) are plugged into this. There is also a fused spur off of this socket supplying a security light (500w - 3amp fused spur).
I would like to consider using this circuit to supply an immersion heater element (3Kw) in the hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard. This would be for emergencies - ie if the boiler broke down - but I'm sure this does not matter from an electrical safety point of view - if its done wrong one usage is enough for it to bea problem.
Is it wise to have the immersion on this circuit? Say by using a larger 20A MCB? If I were only using the immersion heater and there was a fault then I would not be protected by using the lowest MCB - right? I think the total current draw of all components currently + immersion heater would be very close to 16amps if not a bit over.
Lastly, although the shower pump is rated at 300w, the manufacturer says use a 5amp fuse?
I have a double 13amp RCD socket in an airing cupboard upstairs. It is fed with 2.5mm cable direct from the consumer unit from a 16amp MCB (type B I think). Currently, a shower pump (300w) and the boiler (3amp fuse required, but sure of wattage rating) are plugged into this. There is also a fused spur off of this socket supplying a security light (500w - 3amp fused spur).
I would like to consider using this circuit to supply an immersion heater element (3Kw) in the hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard. This would be for emergencies - ie if the boiler broke down - but I'm sure this does not matter from an electrical safety point of view - if its done wrong one usage is enough for it to bea problem.
Is it wise to have the immersion on this circuit? Say by using a larger 20A MCB? If I were only using the immersion heater and there was a fault then I would not be protected by using the lowest MCB - right? I think the total current draw of all components currently + immersion heater would be very close to 16amps if not a bit over.
Lastly, although the shower pump is rated at 300w, the manufacturer says use a 5amp fuse?