Electricians; MCB with a timer?

GeX · 8 Oct 2013 at 21:17

Hello. Have just moved into somewhere without gas. There are storage heaters and a MEGAflo water heater. It only has two switches, one for on peak heater and one for off peak.

There are no timers. I can't make use of economy 7. Annoying. In the last place I lived without gas, there were timers in the consumer unit. The water heater and storage heater circuits were on those timers.

I'm assuming they were MCBs with built in timers, can I just buy something like that and swap it for the MGB's that are there now?

I'm aware of Google and how to use it, but I'm on an EDGE connection with no chance of a land line for 2 weeks.

C.R.A.Z.Y · 8 Oct 2013 at 21:57

Just had a quick search and I think you are going to struggle finding a MCB with a timer.
Your best bet is to simply buy some inline timers with the correct current rating.

GeX · 8 Oct 2013 at 21:59

It's rented, I can't go doing that - that's why I was hoping I could just swap out the MCB. Doh

Hmmm.. I found some 16A timers that will fit a standard single socket box (which is what the switches are in). Is that something that I'd be allowed to change, or would it need to be checked by a qualified electrician?

C.R.A.Z.Y · 8 Oct 2013 at 22:41

GeX said:
It's rented, I can't go doing that - that's why I was hoping I could just swap out the MCB. Doh

If you are competent or know someone who is then you can simply connect the in-line timer at the CCU and then re-connect back into the CCU using a short additional piece of cable (making sure it's at least the same CSA as the original cable)
That way no cutting of the radial is needed and when you leave you can dis-connect the timer and return the radial back to it's original state

Something like this would work:

Nightglow · 9 Oct 2013 at 10:13

MK do a range of timers, single & double channel, which fit on the DIN rail within a consumer unit.

http://www.mkelectric.com/EN-GB/PRO...ANDOMODULARCOMBI/TIMESWITCH/Pages /5731s.aspx

Just Google DIN rail timers, plenty out there.

I myyself would leave the switch in place, & put the timer after the switch, this way it still allows you to isolate the power to heater.

You can get your meter changed to Ecomomy 7 by your supplier, some charged now, use to get it done for free once.
There is also a Economy 10, where you get 3 hours in the afternoon & the other 7 hours at night.

But, some people find Ecomomy 7 or 10 isn't for them, you need to work out your usage, your supplier can work all this out.