Storage heater not working, no heat.

[jennyray]

Got up this morning and my storage heater was cold.

After opening the panel, it looks like one of the thermal cut outs has failed. The storage heater is rebranded from Denman’s electrical, so I don’t know the real make, although I think in may be Dimplex.


The heater is 3300w auto. It doesn’t look like the part is available now as heater is around 7 years old.


So, my question is will a generic thermal cut-out work and if so which temperature do I need for a 3.3kw heater? I have attached some picture of the faulty switch.


Here are the switches, However, the one in heater has a reset button on top.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thermal-Cutout-Switch-N-C-30-40-50-60-90-100-110-/173751536649

Thanks

 

[Tdw1982]

I’d try pressing the reset and seeing if it gets hot tonight first.

 

[jennyray]

Okay tried the reset and it worked. However, it's not as hot as usual. Looks like the thermal cutout is on its last legs. Seems worn and burnt

 

[Tdw1982]

Could one of the elements have gone? That might have tripped the thermal cut out too.

 

[jennyray]

The new lot 20 heaters here https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CDTSRE150.html

Require 2 feeds. Can the peak feed be plugged into a normal plug socket?

The data sheet shows 1.5mm flex for peak and 2.5mm for off peak. Also the peak is used for timer and boost which is 1100w, whereas off peak is 3300w.

Any ideas if it would be safe to do this?

 

[Tdw1982]

I can’t see why it wouldn’t be safe. But it isn’t how it is designed to work.
It is designed to be permanently hardwired in.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Products aren't designed to be hard wired; how would they know?

Some need to be hard wired because they draw more current than a plug or FCU can handle.



The 1100W will be fine with a plug.

 

[jennyray]

I have attached the data sheet .if someone could take a look to make sure I have read it correctly. Thanks.

 

[Tdw1982]

Creda say it needs to be wired to a 20A double pole switch and connected to the fixed wiring of the premises. Not a plug. But I guess they didn’t design it to be used a certain way.

 

[Tdw1982]

Also says not to be wired through a plug top. It sounds very much that it wasn’t designed to be attached to a plug...

 

[jennyray]

Obviously won't be doing it myself. But can a plug socket be converted without installing a separate feed from consumer unit?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Pedant corner...

Also says not to be wired through a plug top. It sounds very much that it wasn’t designed to be attached to a plug...

Just the top? That's a neat trick!

Obviously won't be doing it myself. But can a plug socket be converted without installing a separate feed from consumer unit?

You can remove a socket and install an FCU instead. Obviously a plug is not involved....

 

[Tdw1982]

Pedant corner...


Just the top? That's a neat trick!


You can remove a socket and install an FCU instead. Obviously a plug is not involved....

I can’t help the Creda installation material. They refer to a plug top.

Jenny - Do you need a peak time boost function? My experience is it make expensive storage heaters even more expensive to run. A normal off peak would just connect to the existing wiring that is already in place.

 

[jennyray]

I can’t help the Creda installation material. They refer to a plug top.

Jenny - Do you need a peak time boost function? My experience is it make expensive storage heaters even more expensive to run. A normal off peak would just connect to the existing wiring that is already in place.

No I don't need a peak time boost. I'm not sure it would work though if it just connected to off peak.

THANKS

 

[Tdw1982]

Have you got the heater already? Can’t you buy a standard 1 feed heater (connected to the off peak supply) saving yourself the initial cost and the running costs?