Economy 7

[bill barlow]

My immersion heater packed up the other day and yesterday I managed to look at it. I started at the heater itself and worked my way back. I have come to the conclusion that it is the economy 7 side of the system that is faulty ie. the timer is not working. Can anyone confirm that this could be the case? ie is it usual for an immersion heater to be wired in such a way it will only work on economy 7 and not on the standard mains?

[BillyNoMates]

If it is an Economy 7 heater it will normally be wired to come on via a timer during the night when the cheaper rate of electricity is available.

Depending upon the type of tank/configuration, you may have another element wired to the normal mains (I.e. not via a timer) to 'top up' the hot water during the day.

Is there perhaps an overide switch on the timer you can use to bypass the timer to assist in your fault-finding ?

[Carol Anne]

There wont be an over-ride on the timer. It'll either be radio controlled or sealed or both.

Get the electricity supplier in to check all is ok with their apparatus. There should be no charge.

[BillyNoMates]

I was referring to a timer fitted close to the heater - not the electricity board's timer.

[bill barlow]

Thank you both. In the meantime I phoned Powergen to tell them I thought the timer was faulty. They gave me a date of 31st Jan to replace it. Called back again and got the 23rd Jan. Got home tonight and decided to hit it with a hammer and its been replaced!! (Its outside) Midnight will tell! Thanks. Will let you know.