Advice Needed Replacing immersion heater connection for standard socket

[timo_w2s]

Are there any qualified electricians here that can advise me if I can safely swap a unused old immersion heater connection for a standard UK 13 amp socket in a friend's apartment?

The plumber removed the hot water tank in the airing cupboard which was no longer needed and all that is left is a round hole where the cable for the immersion heater was connected plus a fused switch with a neon indicator next to it. Is it OK to replace the face plate where the cable was connected and change it for a normal socket so that a portable vacuum cleaner can be plugged in and charged?

I know I can do and it'll work but but will it meet all safety requirements?

 

[skomedal]

Might be an insurance policy liability if your friends apartment caught fire, if it was your place go ahead, done loads of rewiring in my house but not for friends.

Regards

 

[timo_w2s]

Yeah I've done plenty of wiring for myself but as it's not my place and might even be rented out at some point wanted to double check.

 

[Riverblue]

Technically , all work should be done by a qualified electrician, but if you feel you are competent then this shouldn't be a problem. If this point was used for the immersion heater, then it is probably on a 15amp circuit at least, so swapping over for a 13amp single switched socket outlet is not a problem. If you have to change any of the wiring and the old stuff is the 'old' white insulation ( red = live, black = neutral) then you might have some problems re renting and certification. Hope this helps.

 

[skomedal]

Could do it yourself then get a qualified sparky to inspect and SIGN an approval form for insurance purposes..

Regards

 

[timo_w2s]

Technically , all work should be done by a qualified electrician, but if you feel you are competent then this shouldn't be a problem. If this point was used for the immersion heater, then it is probably on a 15amp circuit at least, so swapping over for a 13amp single switched socket outlet is not a problem. If you have to change any of the wiring and the old stuff is the 'old' white insulation ( red = live, black = neutral) then you might have some problems re renting and certification. Hope this helps.

It's almost certainly the old wiring as it's a 70s built block of flats and the outlet looked 70s style but if I'm swapping a faceplate with a socket of the same physical size I wouldn't technically be changing the wiring, would I?

 

[timo_w2s]

Could do it yourself then get a qualified sparky to inspect and SIGN an approval form for insurance purposes..

Regards

To be honest if I need to do that I might as well get him to unscrew the old unit and change it too. I was just trying to save some time as I can do it in 10 mins rather than get the friend to book someone and take half a day off work, etc.

 

[Archived-1]

I am no sparks, but use the fuse spur to feed a new plug in socket and place a 3amp fuse in the fuse spur and it will be safe.

 

[Riverblue]

It's almost certainly the old wiring as it's a 70s built block of flats and the outlet looked 70s style but if I'm swapping a faceplate with a socket of the same physical size I wouldn't technically be changing the wiring, would I?

No, you are not changing the wiring, you are just changing over the faceplate. The only problem is if it is being rented and someone gets to know that the faceplate has been changed, then they might want to know who changed it and whether they were certified to do so. It then becomes a question of not whether you are capable but whether you were legally allowed to. Unfortunately thats the world we live in now!

 

[timo_w2s]

I was a little afraid this would be the problem. I suppose if I do help out I could always put the original stuff back if it's rented out.

Thanks everyone, I can let them know and see what they want to do.

 

[PaulR]

Can't add anything useful. Yes, it's obviously possible, the problem comes as you'll be renting the place out. H&S rules unfortunately.

As an addendum, I used my old immersion supply to provide a spur up to the loft for the distribution amplifier there. I even left the big switch in circuit so I have to be aware that if we suddenly lose all TV somebody will probably have knocked the switch off.

 

[bim]

I am no sparks, but use the fuse spur to feed a new plug in socket and place a 3amp fuse in the fuse spur and it will be safe.

Exactly what is said above. The emersion should have it's own feed, this can be checked by looking inside only one feed - if two it's wired into the ring main which it shouldn't be. If the existing is a surface box just put a new socket next to it or if it is flush install a double box (you can also get these for plasterboard walls which are easy to fit). So when you need the socket on you turn the load switch on. It's the best way I think as you are not alterating anything.

 

[Archived-1]

That's correct bim, it should have its own feed, to be extra safe drop the fuse amperage down in the fuse box as it will be quite high for what it was used for in the past,

 

[Channel Hopper]

Start off by just looking behind the existing fused plate. If there is only one three core wire behind it, then it's a spur and you can swop out the plate with no legality issues. If it's got two cables twisted into the grub screw fittings then get somebody else in. The fuse box will also have to be checked for compliance with the new application of the circuit.

70's ring main wiring will almost certainly be black and red stuff, which means a Part P certificate will need to be signed off once work is completed.

 

[timo_w2s]

Thanks. When I'm next over I'll have a look at what's behind but it's looking like it's not worth me bothering with it to be honest.