Electrical

Adjusting timing on electric storage heaters via trip switches

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 2.51 PM

Hi, I moved into a 1960s flat with electric storage heating a few months ago. Since I arrived, I've been attempting to figure out how to operate the heating system. Now, I understand the basics of electric storage heaters. But before we attempt to operate them this winter, I'd like to make sure they are safe and properly timed to come on during our local Economy 7 hours. None of the heating units have an actual timer on them -- instead they all connect to each other, and then a separate switch connects them to their own two trip switches. These trip switches are in turn connected to the main set of (Wylex) trip switches. On the main board, one of the places where a trip switch would normally be has a rectangular unit fixed onto it with what appears to be a digital clock. However, there don't seem to be any buttons on it, nor any other way of adjusting the settings. The display itself is a mystery to me -- today it reads PM 38:00 and there are some other inexplicable icons lit up on it too. I even looked in Wylex's online product manual and couldn't seem to find this particular component, although there were a few digital timers that looked similar. I guess the obvious answer to this question is that I should ask an electrician to come around and give it a look over. But I'd really like to understand and operate the heating system by myself without having to consult an expert every single time! Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated. Mark