In article ,
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
GB wrote:
On 21/11/2017 09:29, Bob Minchin wrote:
GB wrote:
Wiring immersion heater - how important is it to use special heat
resistant flex?

Also, will 1.5mm2 do for a length of just over 1m in open air, or is
2.5mm2 required?
Vital! The terminals on the element run hot by conduction and
ordinary PVC goes very limp and insulation could easily be
displaced. 1.5mm should be adequate for the current but not sure what
the regs might have to say.

Thanks. How do I determine whether the existing flex is heat resistant?

There are two common types. Butyl which has a cream sleeve and much softer
to the touch than PVC. There is also a heat resistant version of something
like PVC which is usually engraved as heat resistant. That is much less
flexible than butyl.

you can also get black butyl - used on theatre lanterns

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from KT24 in Surrey, England