electric element in rad and ch system

[egginyourface]

I was asked to connect power to an element in a newly fitted towel rail.

The customer now wants to use the element to heat there towels but at the same time leave the ch system on as it comes on at night when its cold.

Got a call and they said the top part of the rad was scorching hot

Is it ok to leave them running together?

Does a valve need to be closed?

 

[telectrix]

could be the stat in the element is goosed.

 

[egginyourface]

can they be left to run at the same time?

 

[telectrix]

can't see a reason why not. the water temp is controlled from the central heating, and should also be controlled by the stat in the heater. if the stat is s/c then it will eventually boil up if the heater is powerful enough. try shutting the valves off so it's only the electric heater heating it. if it still gets over hot, then it's a new element job.

 

[egginyourface]

Im going to look at it with the plumber tomorrow.

If the valves are shut off wont this damage the rail as it becomes completely sealed and nowhere for the water to expand to?

 

[Andy B]

No because you can fit them into towel rails that aren`t on a ch system.

 

[egginyourface]

Inside straight electric towel rails isnt it filled with some sort of oil?

 

[Guitarist]

Im going to look at it with the plumber tomorrow.

If the valves are shut off wont this damage the rail as it becomes completely sealed and nowhere for the water to expand to?

I would suggest that water filled rads should have at least the lockshield valve open for expansion. A standard sealed rad is indeed oil-filled which can go to a much higher temperature without expanding/boiling.
Remember, these towel rail rads will get very hot, especially at the top so may be nothing wrong with it.

 

[HandySparks]

These electric heating elements for towel rails are usually not fitted with thermostats. You choose the rating of the heater to match the size of the rad. If a more powerful element then recommended has been fitted, it will get hotter than it should. You can get a seperate power control (like a dimmer) to reduce the power.

 

[egginyourface]

Thanks all for your replies. I've reccommended the plumber go and change it as it wasnt me that supplied the element or rad.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Inside straight electric towel rails isnt it filled with some sort of oil?

yes. Or "thermodynamic fluid" if you ask Mr Marketing.

But you get ones that house an electric element whilst accomodating the central heating water, at the same time.