Controller for central Heating & Immersion - Need relays?

message from Ro on 17 May 2004

Hi,

I'm living in an apartment with electric central heating (unusual, I
know), and an immersion. I bought a Sunvic select 207XL programmer from
B&Q (dual controls for hot water and heat), which I thought would just
directly switch on and off both systems. I now appreciate the difference
between a programmer and a timeswitch.

The programmer has a total rating of 6A, while both the immersion and
heating are wired directly from the consumer unit with 20 amp circuit
breakers.

Is it possible to use 2x 20 amp relays to control the CH and immersion? I
would really like a simple controller to control both the CH and
immersion, but I have not seen such a device capable of handling 2x20A
circuits.

Thanks,

Ro

Dave Plowman replied to Ro on 17 May 2004

Have you really only got 5kW of heating available? Hope it's a well
insulated small flat. ;-)

Maplin OC72 - single pole 30 amp relay with 230 volt coil - 6.99. They
have 1/4" spade connectors so you'll need crimp on - or solder -
terminals. And a suitable box to put them in.

Andrew Mawson replied to Ro on 17 May 2004

Ro,

You could use these contactors from TLC - (they also do a neat little 2 way
box to mount them in) :

http://tinyurl.com/2ym2d

Andrew Mawson

Ed Sirett replied to Ro on 17 May 2004

By all means use relays if you want.
There are also programmable time switches with 16A contacts.
These will likely be a simpler replacement for a 20A DP switch currently
in use.

However the relays will offer more flexibility and allow to use time
and/or temperature controls in (likely) more convenient locations.

Archived message: Controller for central Heating & Immersion - Need relays? (UK DIY House Improvement)