Replacing old heater in bathroom

[aletz]

Would appreciate your help in understanding how to go about wiring a new heater in the bathroom. The old one is out of order and seems to be wired properly with the wire going outside the bathroom into a fused box. The wire runs inside the wall but still some of it visible (hence not too deep..)

I have a similar one with a much shorter wire, that I would like to use there. How should I go about wiring? I want to somehow use the current infrastructure without too much hassle. Can I cut the wire of the previous one and connect the new one to the same cable with a wire-to-wire connector?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is this a fixed (to the wall) heater?

If so, then I would think you can do what you want as long as the connections are inside the fitting.
Do not have them visible on a hanging flex.

Can you not connect the wiring directly to the heater terminals?

 

[aletz]

Wow! Thank you very much indeed for the super quick response.
The heater is going to be mounted on the wall. Let's say I buy one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prem-I-Air-Convector-Bathrooms-Adjustable-Thermostat/dp/B002J9ANIE

Could you please explain what do you mean 'inside the fitting'. The wire (after I cut it...) sticks out of the wall. Then there is the heater, which I presume is concealed. Where should I then place the wire-to-wire?

Maybe I can open the heater and do the connection inside?

Thanks!!!

 

[riveralt]

There should be 1.5m of flex cable that comes with the heater.
From the picture the cable comes out the back of the unit and should be cut to size so that it connects directly into the load side of the FCU.
There is no need for you to open the heater.
Also note that the location of the heater must be such that no one in the bath or shower can touch the controls.
If any of this does not make sense then perhaps you should get someone in to carry this installation for you.

 

[aletz]

I understand. What do I do, though, if I cannot take the current cable out of the wall to replace with the one coming out of the heater? Where do I actually place the wire-to-wire connector?

 

[riveralt]

I understand. What do I do, though, if I cannot take the current cable out of the wall to replace with the one coming out of the heater? Where do I actually place the wire-to-wire connector?

Are you sure you are competent enough to carry out this task?
You should have a cable coming out of the rear of the heater.
You should have fused connection unit.
You need to remove the old cable from the FCU's load side and replace it with the cable from the new heater.
Shorten the cable from the new heater so that it can be clipped to the wall or otherwise out of the way from trip hazards.
You may need to provide photographs of what you have in place now from a wiring perspective.

 

[EFLImpudence]

If you could get inside the heater and swap the cable that would be best.

If not, can you fit a plastic pattress on the wall next to the heater?
http://www.screwfix.com/p/marbo-1-gang-surface-pattress-box-white-25mm/49374

with a flex outlet plate which will have terminals
http://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-logic-...=Search-_-SearchRec-_-Area3&_requestid=222059

 

[aletz]

Brilliant! Thank you very much indeed.
I have included photos of the fused box at the entrance to the bathroom and the wire coming out of the wall to the current heater (which seems to be not compliant anyway.. IPX4..)

 

[EFLImpudence]

That looks just right to put the box and connector out of the way.

 

[aletz]

Sorry - could you please explain?

 

[EFLImpudence]

View media item 67013
Well, the wire coming through the wall right in the corner.

You will be able to put the box and connector down there out of the way, better than if it was in the middle of the wall.

 

[aletz]

Ah yes, of course. I really appreciate your inputs!
Thank you and have a great week ahead.

 

[riveralt]

View media item 67013Well, the wire coming through the wall right in the corner.
You will be able to put the box and connector down there out of the way, better than if it was in the middle of the wall.

If, as the other picture appears to show, your 'fuse box' (fused connection unit) is on the other side of this wall why are you potentially creating problems for yourself by putting a junction box in between your new heater and the FCU.
Am I missing something here - your new heater comes with 1.5m of cable routed out of the rear of the unit.
Surely it would be easier just to run the new heaters cable along the top of that piece of timber through the wall and directly into the FCU. Than what is being proposed.

 

[aletz]

Possibly, but the old cable sits there pretty tight and I'm not I would be able to take it out to put the new one in... does that make sense?

 

[riveralt]

Possibly, but the old cable sits there pretty tight and I'm not I would be able to take it out to put the new one in... does that make sense?

Not really - make the hole bigger - or connect the old cable to the new and pull through - looks like you're redoing the bathroom anyway.
Introducing a junction box into the circuit, especially a moist bathroom, just adds to your potential problems.