immersion heater overheating

[yelselseivad]

My immersion heater is heating continuously even though it is connected to a timer. I have had to switch the fuse off to stop it heating the water.
My plumber who has been coming to fix it for 9 months now thinks he might have wired it incorrectly - could you tell me what it should look like so that I can check - if its just a matter of rewiring it I can handle that myself once I know what to look for. At least then I''ll know if the wiring is the problem it has a new thermostat.

[ursula62]

Since 1 January  this year, if electrical work is in an area of the house or garden where it might be in contact with water, (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, immersion heater, sauna, hot tub etc) then you will have to get the job done by a certified competent Qualified electrician who is registered with the local authority, or have the job inspected by someone who can certify it as safe.

You will need to contact your Local Authority Building Control Department, and you will have to pay them a fee for certifying work done by non qualified persons.

It is illegal to carry out any work of this nature without getting it certified by the local authority and you would be unable to sell your house without proving certification for recent electrical works.  

About the most electrical work a householder can do now without certifying the work is to add a spur to a lighting circuit, or change an existing wall socket.

The relevant legislation is Part P of the Building Act.

Most people blame the EC for this one but it was instigated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as a safety measure.

[jake-the-peg]

Ursula's pretty much right but people with related qualifications such as Corgi engineers can do electrical work if it's related to the job they're actually doing.

As for not being able to sell your house I imagine the scenario goes Solicitor asks for certificates for any recent electrical work requiring sign off, Householder says No recent electric work requiring sign off, Solicitor goes away.

Having said that I find it hard to believe that it took to now for the government to say " Hey maybe we shouldn't just let anybody fool around with electricity and water"

You wouldn't do it with gas!

Personally I'd phone a few electricians