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Storage heater melting switch fuse
Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.38 PM
Our 3.4kW storage heaters are wired to fused 13 amp switches. One of these fuses keeps melting. What is the likely issue, is 13 amps not high enough or are the heating elements inside the heater going? Would it be safe to replace the switch with a 20 amp unfused switch? There are 16 amp breakers on the distribution board. Thanks
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2 Answers
Ferndown Power and Light
Rating: 5 out of 5
Storage heaters should have their own fuse or circuit breaker at the fuse box or consumer unit. These are normally rated at 16 Amps or on older wire fuses in a blue coloured fuse holder at 15 Amps. If the cable is 2.5mm twin and earth, then the circuit can handle 20 Amps. Your heaters are drawing more than 13 Amps and the fused switch often melts because the fuse itself often doesn't blow until a much higher current is drawn. Change the fused switches to 20 Amp double pole switches - no fuse required at the switch. Its already protected at the fuse box.
Answered3 April 2018
3
S G Pickering Limited
Rating: 5 out of 5
You are correct, a 20amp switch is needed on 3.4 KW, as a simple rule multiply by 4 so 3.4 will take 13.6 amps, over the 13 amp fuse. normally you would use 20amps mcb for a 3.4 KW storage heater. hope this helps
Answered3 April 2018
2