Immersion heater drawing 8Amp?

[JohnD]

I was looking at the immersion heater in my mother's house recently, quite old, is a standby for if the boiler goes wrong, installation is TN-S, I used a clamp meter to check for earth leakage on the imersion (100mA so needs changing) but it only seems to draw 8A when energised. I was expecting about 12-15A.

What's usual?

 

[kai]

8 amps is around 2kW, Is it one of those old twin element types, where switching on the short 2 kW element only heats the top half of the tank, for light water use, and switching the longer 3kW element for bathtime use?

I had just that type of 2kW and 3kW dual element in my old house, before it was replaced with a modern unit when it failed.

 

[JohnD]

Thanks

might be. I know at one time there was a dual-element but the cylinder has been replaced since then. It's been boxed in I will have to climb up and peer in the top to see.

Didn't know the short element was only 2kW, is that normal?

 

[JohnD]

You were absolutely right!

It was a dual-element, and it was set to sink.

It was one of those with a clunky chrome lever you push from one side to the other to change elements, badged Hotpoint twimmersion and looks very old.

Can't see how to get the thermostat out, it is different from other immersions I have seen, with a thumbwheel under the cover which seems to adust the temperature setting.

the sink/bath mechanism sticks out of the side and looks like it would prevent you getting a spanner on the hex to unscrew the element