HOT WATER ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION ADD-ON
Circuit Extension with Timer, RCBO & Weatherproof Isolator – Up to 5m Cabling
This electrical add-on provides for the extension of an existing suitable electrical circuit to a hot water system, including up to 5 metres of cabling, a new RCBO, a dedicated timer and a weatherproof local isolator.
It is designed for suitable hot water installations where an existing electrical circuit can be extended rather than an entirely new circuit needing to be run from the switchboard.
The timer provides scheduled control of the hot water circuit, while the local isolator allows the appliance to be electrically isolated for servicing. The licensed electrician confirms the final circuit arrangement, timer setup, protective device and appliance compatibility at installation.
Where the required cable route exceeds the included 5 metres, additional installed cabling is charged at $20 per metre.
Package at a glance: extension of an existing suitable hot water circuit, up to 5 metres of cabling, new RCBO, dedicated timer and weatherproof isolator. This package is only suitable where the existing circuit can be safely and compliantly extended. A new circuit or major switchboard work is a different electrical scope.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
What Is Included in the Circuit Extension Package?
Up to 5m
Cabling Included
New RCBO
Circuit Protection
Timer
Scheduled Control
Isolator
Local Isolation
Existing Circuit Extension
Extension of a suitable existing electrical circuit from the available connection point to the hot water system.
New RCBO
A new RCBO is provided as part of the package, with the final protective-device arrangement confirmed by the licensed electrician.
Dedicated Timer
A timer is installed to provide scheduled control of the connected hot water circuit where the appliance and electrical arrangement are suitable.
Weatherproof Isolator
A suitable local isolator is installed at or adjacent to the hot water system to allow the appliance to be electrically isolated for servicing.
Up to 5m Cabling
The standard package includes up to five metres of installed electrical cabling for the circuit extension.
Testing & Compliance
The completed electrical installation work is tested and the applicable electrical testing and compliance documentation is provided.
CIRCUIT EXTENSION
What Does “Circuit Extension” Mean?
This product is intended for a property where there is already a suitable electrical circuit that can be extended to the new or replacement hot water system.
It is different from installing a completely new dedicated circuit from the switchboard.
Before extending the circuit, the electrician needs to confirm that the existing arrangement is appropriate for the appliance and proposed additional wiring.
- Existing circuit is suitable for the intended load
- Existing cable size and condition are suitable
- Existing electrical protection can be appropriately configured
- Switchboard condition is suitable
- The proposed cable route is practical
- The hot water appliance is compatible with the arrangement
If the existing circuit cannot be safely extended, a new circuit or additional electrical work may be required. That work is outside the standard circuit-extension package.
HOT WATER APPLICATIONS
Which Hot Water Systems Can Use This Package?
Electric Storage Hot Water
A timer-controlled circuit can be appropriate for suitable electric storage systems where the appliance electrical rating, tariff arrangement and installation design support scheduled operation.
Heat Pump Hot Water
Some heat pumps can operate with suitable external scheduling, but the manufacturer's electrical and control requirements must be checked before adding a timer or repeatedly interrupting the appliance supply.
Do not assume every heat pump should be controlled by an external timer. Some heat pumps include their own scheduling, frost protection, sanitisation, compressor protection or control logic. The appliance manufacturer requirements take priority.
TIMER CONTROL
What Does the Hot Water Timer Do?
The timer controls when the connected electrical circuit is allowed to operate according to the programmed schedule.
For a suitable electric storage system, this can be used to concentrate heating within selected operating periods rather than leaving the circuit continuously available.
The appropriate schedule depends on the appliance, household demand and electricity tariff.
Where the property has solar PV, a suitable timer schedule may also be used to move some water-heating demand into daylight periods. This is scheduled operation only and should not be confused with automatic surplus-solar diversion.
OFF-PEAK OPERATION
Can the Timer Be Used With Off-Peak Electricity?
A timer may form part of an appropriate operating strategy, but the electricity tariff and metering arrangement need to be checked before assuming a timer creates or changes access to an off-peak tariff.
An electrical timer controls when a circuit operates. It does not by itself change the electricity retailer's tariff or metering configuration.
Timer control and an off-peak tariff are different things. Whether a property has controlled-load or off-peak electricity depends on its metering, retailer and network arrangement.
RCBO PROTECTION
What Is the New RCBO For?
The package includes a new RCBO as part of the electrical circuit arrangement.
An RCBO combines residual-current protection with overcurrent protection. The electrician selects and installs the protective arrangement appropriate for the actual circuit, conductors and connected appliance.
The final RCBO rating should not be assumed from the hot water tank size alone. Electrical load, wiring and manufacturer requirements must all be considered.
LOCAL ISOLATOR
Why Is a Weatherproof Isolator Installed?
The local isolator provides a convenient method of electrically isolating the hot water appliance for servicing and maintenance.
For an externally installed hot water system, the selected isolator must be suitable for the installation environment and positioned according to the final electrical design.
The electrician determines the correct location rather than simply mounting the isolator wherever space is available.
CABLING ALLOWANCE
How Much Cabling Is Included?
The package includes up to 5 metres of installed electrical cabling.
The cable length is measured according to the actual route required for the installation rather than the straight-line distance between the existing electrical connection and the hot water system.
Where the installed cable route exceeds five metres, additional cabling is charged at $20 per metre installed.
The final route is determined on site. Walls, ceilings, roof spaces, external pathways and building construction can increase the installed cable length compared with a simple visual measurement.
EXISTING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
What Does the Electrician Need to Check?
Before extending the circuit, the electrician must assess the parts of the existing electrical installation relevant to the proposed work.
- Existing circuit capacity
- Existing cable size
- Condition of existing wiring
- Current protective devices
- Switchboard condition
- Available switchboard space
- Earthing arrangements
- Connected appliance load
- Manufacturer electrical requirements
- Timer compatibility
- Proposed isolator position
- Practical cable route
If the existing electrical installation cannot support the proposed extension, additional work will be required.
WHEN A NEW CIRCUIT IS NEEDED
What If the Existing Circuit Cannot Be Extended?
This package does not guarantee that every existing circuit can be reused.
A new dedicated circuit may be required where:
- The existing circuit is unsuitable for the appliance load
- Existing cable is incorrectly sized
- The existing circuit condition is unsatisfactory
- The existing circuit supplies other loads that prevent the proposed arrangement
- The appliance manufacturer requires a different electrical supply
- The existing wiring cannot be compliantly extended
- A different protective-device arrangement is required
If a new circuit is required, the appropriate new-circuit installation product or additional electrical scope should be used instead.
HEAT PUMP CONSIDERATIONS
Should a Heat Pump Hot Water System Be Put on a Timer?
Only where the exact heat pump is compatible with that form of external control.
Many modern heat pumps already include onboard timers, schedules, smart controls or operating logic. Some also need access to power for functions that can occur outside normal heating periods.
Before installing an external timer, the electrician and installer should consider the manufacturer's electrical and operating instructions.
An external timer should not override the manufacturer's operating requirements. Where a heat pump already provides its own approved scheduling controls, those controls may be the more appropriate way to schedule operation.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
What Is Outside the Standard Circuit Extension Package?
Major Electrical Upgrades
- New dedicated circuit where extension is unsuitable
- Switchboard replacement
- Major switchboard upgrade
- New sub-board
- Repair of unrelated electrical faults
- Major rewiring
Additional Site Work
- Cabling beyond the included 5m
- Major building access work
- Concrete cutting
- Excavation or trenching
- Specialist access equipment
- Non-standard electrical modifications
LICENSED ELECTRICAL WORK
Who Can Complete the Circuit Extension?
Extending fixed electrical wiring, installing an RCBO, fitting a timer and connecting an isolator are electrical installation work.
The work must be completed under the appropriate Queensland electrical licensing arrangements.
Once the installation is completed, the affected electrical installation is tested before being placed into service.
This work is not suitable for DIY installation. Fixed electrical wiring and switchboard work must be completed by appropriately licensed electrical trades.
TESTING & COMPLIANCE
Is the Circuit Tested After Installation?
Yes. The affected electrical installation must be tested after the electrical work is completed.
For applicable electrical installation work, the electrical contractor provides the required certificate of testing and compliance for the work completed.
The electrician is responsible for confirming that the affected installation is electrically safe and meets the applicable requirements before connection or reconnection.
CONTROLLED HOT WATER CIRCUIT
Why Add a Timer, RCBO & Isolator?
This package combines three different electrical functions around an existing suitable hot water circuit.
The RCBO provides circuit protection, the timer provides scheduled operating control, and the local isolator allows the appliance to be electrically isolated for servicing.
For the right hot water system and electrical arrangement, this provides a practical way to extend and update the existing supply rather than installing a completely new circuit.
ELECTRICAL SCHEDULING
When Will the Additional Electrical Work Be Completed?
Where this package is purchased as additional electrical work with a standard like-for-like hot water installation, the electrical work may be scheduled separately from the plumbing installation.
Confirmed Time Within 48 Hours
Installed Today's service terms provide for a confirmed electrical installation time from the electrician within 48 hours of the order being processed.
Completed Within 5 Business Days
The additional electrical work is scheduled for completion within 5 business days of order processing.
Separate Appointment
The electrical work can be completed at a separate appointment from the standard hot water plumbing installation.
HOT WATER WHILE ELECTRICAL WORK IS PENDING
Can the Hot Water System Be Installed Before the Electrical Work?
Where the hot water system can be safely installed and operated using the existing compliant electrical arrangement, the standard plumbing installation can proceed while the additional electrical work remains separately scheduled.
However, this depends on the appliance and existing site conditions.
If the circuit extension, timer, RCBO or isolator is required before the appliance can be safely energised, normal operation will need to wait until the electrical work has been completed.
Hot water operation cannot be guaranteed independently of required electrical work. The appliance must only be placed into service when its required electrical supply and controls are safe and suitable.
BEFORE ORDERING
What Should You Check Before Selecting This Package?
- Is there an existing hot water electrical circuit?
- Is the existing circuit likely to be suitable for extension?
- Does the new appliance support external timer control?
- Does the appliance require continuous power?
- Where will the new hot water system be positioned?
- How long is the likely cable route?
- Is the switchboard accessible?
- Is the existing wiring in serviceable condition?
- Is a local weatherproof isolator required for the proposed installation?
- Would a completely new circuit be more appropriate?
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions About the Circuit Extension Package
What Is Included?
The package includes extension of an existing suitable circuit, up to 5 metres of cabling, a new RCBO, dedicated timer and weatherproof local isolator.
How Much Cable Is Included?
Up to 5 metres of installed cable is included.
How Much Is Additional Cable?
Cable beyond the included five metres is charged at $20 per metre installed.
Is This a New Circuit?
No. This package is for extension of an existing suitable circuit. A new dedicated circuit is a different installation scope.
What If My Existing Circuit Cannot Be Extended?
A new circuit or other additional electrical work may be required.
Does It Include a New RCBO?
Yes. A new RCBO is included, with the final protective-device arrangement confirmed by the licensed electrician.
What Does the Timer Do?
The timer provides scheduled control of the connected hot water circuit.
Does the Timer Automatically Give Me Off-Peak Electricity?
No. A timer controls operating times. It does not change the property's electricity tariff or metering configuration.
Can the Timer Be Set to Run During Solar Hours?
Yes, where the appliance is suitable for external timer control. A timer can schedule operation during selected daylight periods, but it does not automatically detect surplus solar.
Can the Timer Be Used on Any Heat Pump?
No. The exact heat pump manufacturer's operating and electrical requirements must be checked first.
Why Might a Heat Pump Need Continuous Power?
Some heat pumps use onboard scheduling, frost protection, compressor protection, sanitisation or other control functions that may require access to electrical power outside normal heating periods.
What Is the Weatherproof Isolator For?
It provides local electrical isolation of the hot water appliance for servicing and maintenance.
Where Is the Isolator Installed?
The electrician selects an appropriate position at or adjacent to the appliance according to the installation requirements and site conditions.
Does the Package Include Switchboard Upgrades?
No. Major switchboard alteration or replacement is outside the standard circuit-extension scope.
What If the Existing Wiring Is Damaged?
Repair or replacement of pre-existing defective wiring is additional work.
Who Installs the Timer and RCBO?
The fixed electrical installation work must be carried out by appropriately licensed electrical trades.
Is the Electrical Work Tested?
Yes. The affected electrical installation is tested after completion before being placed into service.
Will I Receive Electrical Compliance Documentation?
The applicable certificate of testing and compliance is provided for the electrical installation work completed.
How Soon Will I Receive an Electrical Appointment?
Installed Today's service terms provide for a confirmed installation time within 48 hours of order processing.
How Soon Is the Electrical Work Completed?
The additional electrical work is scheduled for completion within 5 business days of the order being processed.
Is This Appointment Separate From the Hot Water Installation?
It can be. The electrical component may be scheduled separately from the plumbing installation.
Will My Hot Water Work While I Wait for the Electrical Appointment?
Where the appliance can safely operate from the existing compliant electrical arrangement, it may be possible to complete the standard hot water installation first. If the new electrical work is required for safe operation, the appliance cannot be placed into normal service until that work is completed.
FINAL CHECK
Is This Circuit Extension Package Right for Your Hot Water Installation?
Choose this package where there is an existing suitable electrical circuit that can be extended to the hot water system and you also require a new RCBO, timer and weatherproof local isolator.
The package includes up to 5 metres of cabling, with additional installed cable charged at $20 per metre.
It can suit appropriate electric storage and heat pump installations, but timer compatibility must be checked against the actual appliance. Modern heat pumps should not automatically be placed on an external timer without considering the manufacturer's controls and power requirements.
The licensed electrician will confirm the final circuit suitability, protective arrangement, timer configuration, cable route and isolator position before completing and testing the work.
