Immersion heater found on ring main

[ewillday]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of doing a PIR on 35 year old installation and I've just found the immersion heater is on one of the ring mains.

It's on a fused switch but what should be noted for the PIR. The heater does get used occasionally and there have been no problems but what should go in the 'Observations and Reccomendations'. Am I right in thinking that it should be noted but only with a code 4?

Tx!

 

[bugsy]

Just note it as recommendation.
Providing its isolated via a double pole switched fuse there is no non compliance

 

[Des 56]

A water heated storage vessel exceeding 15 litres should be on a dedicated circuit and not supplied by a ring circuit
If the immersion heater comes under this heading then perhaps it shouldn't come off a ring circuit

I suppose thats probably because, for a large quantity of water, its going to load the ring for long periods

 

[ian.settle1]

A water heated storage vessel exceeding 15 litres should be on a dedicated circuit and not supplied by a ring circuit
If the immersion heater comes under this heading then perhaps it shouldn't come off a ring circuit

I suppose thats probably because, for a large quantity of water, its going to load the ring for long periods

That may be the case now but as the thread starter said he was doing a PIR on a 35 year old installation which was allowed in them days.

What is the difference between a 3 kW water heater to a 3 kW heater on the ring main?

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Code 4 maybe?

 

[Des 56]

That may be the case now but as the thread starter said he was doing a PIR on a 35 year old installation which was allowed in them days.

What is the difference between a 3 kW water heater to a 3 kW heater on the ring main?

I am not trying to justify a regulation. just mentioning it

If it complied 35 years ago, and he is happy to accept what was permissable then, as ok now, it would require a code 4 by your reasoning

Whilst inspecting to the 17th and noting these departures, because it was permitted previously, so is still ok, there should be thought given to how long ago the regs that are being referenced has a bearing on decisions
made

Giving a satisfactory report to a first edition install is stretching things,but the principle remains

 

[Sintra]

An immersion heater must not be supplied by a ring final circuit. p362, 433.1.5

 

[steamboatwilly]

Code 4 variation I'd have thought....after all, as ian.settle1 says "What is the difference between a 3 kW water heater to a 3 kW heater on the ring main?". It's not right but then again it's not dangerous as long as it's D/P & fused?

 

[scotsparky]

I am not trying to justify a regulation. just mentioning it

If it complied 35 years ago, and he is happy to accept what was permissable then, as ok now, it would require a code 4 by your reasoning

Whilst inspecting to the 17th and noting these departures, because it was permitted previously, so is still ok, there should be thought given to how long ago the regs that are being referenced has a bearing on decisions
made

Giving a satisfactory report to a first edition install is stretching things,but the principle remains

what about VIR cables,lead sheaths? and lots more i know it was allowoed but I always test to current regs and the "it was the way it was done then " attitude scares me it means a lot of dangerous stuff may be getting left out reports.