Immersion Heater In Bathroom

[woldig]

We are having a new consumer unit fitted.

We have a switch for the immersion heater in the bathroom near the door. It is flush with the tiling, the wiring enclosed in plastic condiut underneath the tiles. This means it is necessary to usea tool such as a screwdriver to contact the live terminals in the switch. There is another switch in the loft near the hot water tank.

The hot water tank with the immersion heater was put in the loft when we had a new bath and wash basin fitted several year ago.

The house was rewired about 20 years ago.

Had two electricians to quote for the work.

One says we will need new wiring for the immersion heater which does not go through the bath room. Also that he will have to test every socket and bulb holder.

The other electrician said we do not have to move the switch for the immersion heater in the bathroom. This will be noted on the cerificate isued uner Part P of the Building Regulation. Also he will only test some of the sockets ans light fittings. He says leave major work to new owners. We are over 70 years of age and do not want a lot of hassle.

Which is correct?

Many thanks

 

[Manator]

Welcome to the forum.

My first question would be, why are you having a new consumer unit fitted? The average life span of any electrical installation is 40 years. Updating installations to comply with current standards is often a misguided solution to problems.

Electrical wiring regulations are not retrospective, and providing the safety of the installation is as fitted or designed no action is required.

Electrical Safety First has some very good advice for home owners on their website.http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/

 

[Evans Electric]

The first electrician has probably the correct advice I think .

When he replaces your fuseboard he can't  re-connect a circuit if its dangerous  and it would be un-professional to ignore the Immersion switch on the bathroom wall   ( This would NEVER have complied with any regulations that I know of  .)   

Was that room a bedroom once , converted to a bathroom? .

The second sparks should , in my opinion , test ALL the circuits in your house after replacing the consumer unit.

Whether you leave stuff for the next owners is another question ...the report will be part of the sale and you may need to deduct a sum to cover an alteration to the Imm. Htr. switch.

 

[Manator]

When he replaces your fuseboard he can't  re-connect a circuit if its dangerous  and it would be un-professional to ignore the Immersion switch on the bathroom wall   ( This would NEVER have complied with any regulations that I know of  .)   

It was common practice years ago to have the airing cupboard and immersion heater in the bathroom, most changed to having them on the landing instead over the years.

The regulations talk about socket outlets in bathrooms, if, and only if any wiring for immersion heaters are installed then they should be hard wired, and not fed from a socket unless it is 3m away from the bath or shower.

Its not that it complied with a regulation but rather has never contravened any.

Another practice was to use plastic lugs on the back boxes, this insulated the whole switch from earth and any possible fault to earth effecting the users. The only viable regulation to consider is that of suitability to the environment, this would be the IP rating of the switch.

I would agree that given today's knowledge it is bad practice, but it is not as serious as it first appears. I would still like to know why a new consumer unit is being fitted though. I guess it is because there is no RCD protection on any sockets.

 

[woldig]

Thank you for your replies

I am having a new consumer unit fitted as there is more than one circuit connected to one fuse. I do not like this arrangement and want a modern unit with trip switches, not the old type of fuse.

Regarding the immersion heater swicth, I have read the regulations and it confirms what the second electrician said. So it will remain in place for the time being.

The house will only be sold when we die.

 

[NozSpark]

TBH it would be better if the switch were out of the room... One way to achieve this would be to drill directly through the wall behind the switch , extend the cables and mount the switch on the reverse side of the wall then fit a blank over where the switch was.....

This is not ideal, but it does remove the switch from the room.