Din rail timer

[La Poste]

Greetings.

I have been looking at these:
GreenBrook Electrical

They appear to be just what I need, the timer will be used to operate a socket that will switch on an array of Christmas lights.
The socket is out in a garage and it will be much easier this way than to keep going into the garage all the time to switch the lights on and off.

I have heard from a friend that these timers are prone to blow, my friend is an ex heating engineer and the timers he was talking about would operate large industrial heaters, I am assuming these large industrial heaters would have very big start up currents and hence blow the timers he was talking about.

I noticed on the specs of this timer is states:
"16A resistive, 2A inductive load".

I understand a little of what an inductive load is.
Is only 2 Amps of inductive load allowed because with inductive loads there is a large start up current?

Could someone please explain a little more about this and what items would be considered inductive loads in normal domestic premises.

Thanks very much.

 

[topquark]

Common fluorescents are an inductive load often found in domestic situations (not a good idea to run the alarm system off!).

 

[Knobhead]

An inductor has two elements to it controlling current, resistive and inductive reluctance. On initial switch on it is the resistance that limits the current, within the first wave cycle inductance takes over. This first kick is called the inrush current. Switch on a large transformer you will hear it, it’s like someone has hit it with a hammer. The inductance limits the normal running current.

View attachment 9132

 

[La Poste]

So would low voltage down lighters with small transformers attached be considered an inductive load?

There would be a surge at initial switch on and once the magnetic field of the transformer had established a back emf the current would settle.

Is this correct?

 

[Marvo]

Yes, downlighters with transformers are an inductive load and there would be an initial high current which would reduce quickly to the normal running current.

 

[pennywise]

I would personally go for hager rail mounted timers, ive had two faulty greenbrook ones may have just got a bad batch, they were only switching very small loads

 

[La Poste]

Thanks.

The timer is just for switching Christmas lights on and off so won't be switching heavy loads.

The trouble is it seems Hager are much more expensive.

I am after a single module but the prices seem very high.

Green brook seems the only brand that is less than £20 unless I want to risk buying some unbranded Chinese made take a big risk timer.

 

[Octopus]

Why don't you go for a plug in timer which would avoid you having to work inside the CU?

 

[La Poste]

The socket in question is on its own radial from the small fuse board in the garage.

I have bought one of those weather proof boxes with a four socket extension inside.
Trouble is I have hard wired this four socket extension right back to the fuse board.
Now the guy is saying he wants a timer added and I am thinking this will be the easiest way to do it.

I mean the weather proof box is in quite an inaccessible place but the fuse board is right next to the door. It just seems the logical thing to do.

£18 for a din rail timer is reasonable but £70 or £80 is just too much.

 

[Octopus]

Not sure I'd hard wire one of those IP boxes back into a CU. Did you buy it at C & E?? Homebase is cheaper!

 

[La Poste]

C and E mate, how did you guess? LOL

Why not wire it back to the CU?
Fused at 16 Amps, on its own radial, the cable is compliant, I checked in the regs.

The fuse board is a split load dual RCD Wylex.

 

[Octopus]

C and E mate, how did you guess? LOL

Why not wire it back to the CU?
Fused at 16 Amps, on its own radial, the cable is compliant, I checked in the regs.

Wired back to the CU means its notifiable - as its a new circuit so best avoided.

Re C & E I guess you pass it everyday on your way to your "day" job!

 

[La Poste]

Re C & E I guess you pass it everyday on your way to your "day" job!

Another bulls eye.

Actually this job is for my assessment.

Although I am not sure which scheme to join yet.

The weather proof box is attached to the garage CU which itself is attached to a 32 Amp MCB in the main house so I am basically extending a radial not creating a new circuit, well that's how I see it.

 

[sparkx]

I've used lots of greenbrook timers - regret purchasing every single one. all of mine are used for switching contactors controlling xmas lights. Most fail after a year.... hager timers keep on going without fault.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Hi La Poste, I think technically you're adding a circuit there. Gonna check out those din timers. Cheers.