Help please, basic plumbing/electric question

[aflemi]

Our kitchen is inadequately heated and i would like to add 2 electric element heated radiators or possibly towel radiators. I appreciate this is not the most efficient heating method but the off-the-shelf oil-filled ones are not attractive. I see Screwfix etc sell these elements:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/35612...el-Radiator-Heating-Element-IP55-2730BTU-800W

I have a few questions:
1) Can they be used with traditonal rads rather than towel rads?
2) Am I correct in thinking the radiator is simply filled with water, leaving a 50mm expansion gap?
3) is it essential to connect via a 13A FCU, why can they not simply be plugged in?

 

[BingoBongo]

1) Can they be used with traditional rads rather than towel rads?
no
2) Am I correct in thinking the radiator is simply filled with water, leaving a 50mm expansion gap?

yes
3) is it essential to connect via a 13A FCU, why can they not simply be plugged in?

plugs in bathrooms aint good

 

[ManxPlumber]

plugs in bathrooms aint legal

Fixed

 

[fitz1]

why not fit kickspace heaters in your plinth

 

[muggles]

plugs in bathrooms aint legal

Fixed

Technically yes, but then again no, as the question was about a kitchen and not a bathroom.

Aflemi you could fit something like this if you want a more standard-looking electric radiator http://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/th/easy_heat_full_range

Or alternatively go for kickspace heaters as Fitz1 suggests

 

[aflemi]

Thanks for responses guys.
Out of interest why would they be unsuitable for standard radiators, I appreciate the element would be horizontal rather than vertical, does that affect its performance and make it unsuitable?

Kickspace heaters unfeasible due to direction of their output in this case, cheers for link but maybe bit expensive tbh............

 

[BingoBongo]

cant imagine yur leccy bill trying to heat an 1800 double panel radiator with that

 

[TicklyT]

One potential snag is you would need a radiator with a straght conection to the rad. valves to get the elememt into it in the first place. Many rads have their connections via elbows on the back of the panel.

Another snag is allowing the necessary expansion gap would leave the top horizontal waterway dry, effectively cutting off the gravity circulation round the radiator. That's not such a problem with a towel rail with mutiple horizontal waterways, or if it is used in a radiator connected to a central heating system where the F&E tank or expansion vessel rakes up the expansion via the lockshield valve even when the radiator is turned off.

Purpose made oil filled radiators usually have 'dimples' rather than 'ribs' in the panel, allowing the circulation to move horizontally without the panel being completely filled with fluid.

Have you considered oil filled radiators? They are essentially what you are trying to build, but with all the necessary controls built in already. There are some wall mounted models available.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/DXOFX1000.html