Storage heater/panel heater swap-out.

[AlphaDog]

I need some advice on the heater swap-out please.

I want to install a 2.1kw storage heater where a 1.2kw storage heater used to be.

We have a few panel heaters in the house and two storage heaters in one end. I want to swap the panel heater at the other end of the house with a storage heater.

I'm in Scotland and on Total Control Heating. The panel heaters are all connected to a single MCB of 20A and it appears to me as if they're on a ring with both ends of the ring connected to the same circuit breaker.

My plan is to disconnect the panel heat at the neon switch and put it's connections aside after insulating etc.

I then want to run a 2.5mm cable from the distribution box directly to the storage heater.

I want to run the cable in the underfloor cavity from the distribution box to the installed position, running the last 600mm up the cavity plasterboard wall.

I want to connect the cable to a new 20A MCB which is fed from the TCH master circuit breaker. I'm thinking like this because the other two heaters are already on their own circuit breaker each.

Is my thinking correct?

And as an aside, why are earth wires inside switch boxes sleeved (insulated) and not left naked?

I'll appreciate any comments on the above.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I want to install a 2.1kw storage heater where a 1.2kw storage heater used to be.

Ok.

The storage heaters are all connected to a single MCB of 20A and it appears to me as if they're on a ring with both ends of the ring connected to the same circuit breaker.

They should each be on a separate circuit.
Two small ones could be connected to the same MCB - although unusual.

My plan is to disconnect the panel heat at the neon switch and put it's connections aside after insulating etc.

The panel heater may be on the same circuit as the sockets.
If so, it may be better to fit a socket and a new accessory for the storage heater.

I then want to run a 2.5mm cable from the distribution box directly to the storage heater.
I want to run the cable in the underfloor cavity from the distribution box to the installed position, running the last 600mm up the cavity plasterboard wall.

Ok.

I want to connect the cable to a new 20A MCB which is fed from the TCH master circuit breaker.

That's ok, but 2.1kW is less than 9A.

I'm thinking like this because the other two heaters are already on their own circuit breaker each.

You said they were both on the same breaker.

And as an aside, why are earth wires inside switch boxes sleeved (insulated) and not left naked?

I have asked the same question myself. I don't know.

 

[AlphaDog]

Ok.


They should each be on a separate circuit.
Two small ones could be connected to the same MCB - although unusual.


The panel heater may be on the same circuit as the sockets.
If so, it may be better to fit a socket and a new accessory for the storage heater.


Ok.


That's ok, but 2.1kW is less than 9A.


You said they were both on the same breaker.



I have asked the same question myself. I don't know.

Thanks for your reply.

You spotted an error in my question. It is the panel heaters which are on the same circuit breaker. The storage heaters each have their own MCB. I have edit the original question to reflect that.

So, it seems OK then other than I should install say, a 15 Amp MCR instead of 20 amp?

 

[EFLImpudence]

I should install say, a 15 Amp MCR instead of 20 amp?

MCB - It doesn't really matter - 16A is usual for a storage heater.

There are some complicated explanations but a standard 2.5mm² cable with 16A MCB will be fine.