1

I live in the UK - my downstairs toilet consists of just a small sink and a toilet.

Next to the sink is a heated towel rail which is wired straight into the socket, and is controlled by a switch.

I would like to add a timer to control when it comes on and off as it is not connected to the central heating.

I have seen socket adaptors with timers on them (see picture), but this would mean installing a standard plug socket and rewiring the towel rail to have a plug.

enter image description here

As far as I can tell this is allowed under UK building regs as it is not within 3 metres of a shower or bath, but I am still worried about the proximity to the sink.

Would this be a viable solution or are my concerns founded?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Improve this question
2
  • This is attracting VtC as "shopping advice" (and "needs more focus" which I really don't get). I think that if you edit to focus on the "plug near the sink" aspect, you'll be OK, as any sort of power timer control should otherwise do the trick.
    – FreeMan
    Oct 29, 2020 at 12:14
  • 1
    Thanks for the advice, I've edited the question to focus more on the plug near the sink aspect
    – Nico Mezeret
    Oct 29, 2020 at 17:38

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

Allowed, but there are lots of timeswitched fused connection units available if you'd prefer not to have a plug/socket.

Selection here:

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Timers_Index/Immersion_Heater_Timers_1/index.html

Edit to add: all sockets must now be RCD protected. If the existing circuit is not RCD protected you must not change the fused connection unit to a socket.

Improve this answer
4
  • That seems like the ideal solution, I didn't know these existed. Thanks a lot Owain
    – Nico Mezeret
    Oct 29, 2020 at 21:32
  • Couldn't you put a RCD at the FCU location if the circuit wasn't RCD protected already?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Oct 30, 2020 at 0:03
  • Unfortunately not in strict compliance with current standards. BS7671 requires equipment to satisfy the relevant standards. The British Standard for socket and FCU RCDs BS7288:2016 stipulates that SRCDs provide supplementary protection, but that additional protection must be provided upstream. BS7288 has been omitted from BS7671 as a type of RCD suitable for providing primary protection for fixed wiring. This is a change from previous editions of BS7671 and also BS7288:1990.
    – Owain
    Oct 31, 2020 at 8:11
  • This omission may be corrected in future editions of the standards. In many cases of course an electrician will install a BS7288 device and record it as a deviation from BS7671 and some certification bodies are recommending BS7288 devices where there is no other easy means of providing RCD protection.
    – Owain
    Oct 31, 2020 at 8:12

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.