Night Storage Heater Electrics

[Claire1812]

We are about to have a full new central heating system installed and have night storage heaters removed, therefore converting from as economy 7 tariff to a standard one. I have a couple of queries and was hoping someone on here could please help.

Is there any way that the sockets which the night storage heaters currently connected to be converted to a standard plug socket that will work during the day and not just at night time?

And would the wires from the night storage heater fuse box need to be re connected to the main fuse box if we did convert the sockets?

Thank you in advance for any advice

I have attached a picture of the electric cupboard (i think :/)

Untitled

• Claire1812
• 8 Feb 2012
• 1

 

[pjcomp]

Yes to both questions, but looking at the state and age of your fuse box I'd recommend professional help to get it done. And if you're changing away from an Economy 7 tariff, check with your energy supplier if you can get a cheaper deal on your electricity.

PJ

 

[ericmark]

The fuse boxes/consumer units you show are quite old and to comply with BS7671:2008 would require a RCD to be added before any sockets could be added. For the old storage heater box running just sockets this would not really be too much of a problem but it would seem pointless to do half a job and one needs to consider putting it all on RCD protection.

There are many ways to do the job and I would suggest the first move would be to get two electricians to give you a quote and explain what they would do then consider where to go.

Do remember because it involves a consumer unit which needs notifying if changed it will be likely as cheap to get it done for you as to DIY. As a ball park figure add around £250 to price of materials to DIY that should just about cover LABC charges and hire of test equipment. Costs vary area to area but likely not economical DIY.

 

[Wontdothatagain]

You will be in a contract with your supplier for the tarrif that you are currently on and will need to wait until your contract is up to switch to a single rate. When you switch tarrif's, the meter operator will probably change the meter and remover the contactor (the black box in the middle). This would be an ideal time for the work to be done as it will minamise disruption.

 

[flameport]

Is there any way that the sockets which the night storage heaters currently connected to be converted to a standard plug socket that will work during the day and not just at night time?

Yes, there are various possible options.
Easiest and cheapest will be to connect the storage heater fusebox to the supply via an RCD, and change the heater switches to socket outlets.
The rest of the cabling/wires shown could easily be tidied up at the same time with minimal effort.

IAnd would the wires from the night storage heater fuse box need to be re connected to the main fuse box if we did convert the sockets? ?

No, and given the age and type of that box (the black one), it's a case of leave it as is, or replace the whole thing.

 

[Missionman]

Hello, What , who and how is the power switched to the heater fuse box. Could whoever just make it permanently powered . ?
Many Thanks

 

[sparkymarka]

They may have ……13 Years ago …..

 

[Missionman]

They may have ……13 Years ago …..

Mine were installed between 1994 and 1997 . I'm told they were installed for free along with the wiring , three separate feeds. each using a roll of cable. `Your answer explains why nobody knows what I am talking about at Western Power or Scottish power. !

 

[flameport]

explains why nobody knows what I am talking about

You are replying to someone else's discussion which ended 13 years ago.

If you have a query, make a new thread with it.
Otherwise it will just be confusing as the previous replies are totally unrelated and the person who made that enquiry hasn't been here since then.

 

[morqthana]

You are replying to someone else's discussion which ended 13 years ago.

Interesting to note though that without looking at the dates, there's no way anybody could have known. Claire's question could just as easily have been written today, and I imagine the answers would all have been the same/v.similar.

 

[Missionman]

They may have ……13 Years ago …..

I thought You meant an electrician from 13 years ago would have known the answer.! I need an old electrician from 1997 who knows how this system works . I'l do as I am told an open a new enquiry . Thanks

 

[Missionman]

Interesting to note though that without looking at the dates, there's no way anybody could have known. Claire's question could just as easily have been written today, and I imagine the answers would all have been the same/v.similar.

Thanks for the defence . I only just joined this group and this is the nearest I could find when searching , I didn't spot the date. I will start a fresh enquiry as instructed ! Many Thanks

 

[ericmark]

Remember, pictures are good. The way off-peak has been supplied to our homes has changed many times over the years, with White meters, time clocks, Teleswitches, and now Smart meters, even the Smart meter has different types some with single and some with dual outputs.

So a picture of the meter and fusebox/consumer unit helps work out what you have.

 

[morqthana]

Thanks for the defence . I only just joined this group and this is the nearest I could find when searching , I didn't spot the date.

Don't worry - people who have been here for years sometimes make the same mistake.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Don't worry - people who have been here for years sometimes make the same mistake.

Yes. You must pay attention @morqthana !