From Alan Belson:

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pic 1. Double external meter, upper segment is cheap rate, [heures creuses]. Lower meter is standard rate, [heures pleines].

To clarify, the upper meter has an internal clock and switches the whole supply to cheap rate during the selected times. You get the lower tarif without any switching when it's on. I regularly do a lot of my heavy planing at lunchtimes!

However, a 'signal hot' is supplied by the poco's meter to let you run your own switching arrangements, by relays, for any appliances you like. Pocos like a base-load at all times; this is more efficient at the generating plant and is why they offer off-peak rates. Don't worry about power factors, that's their problem, not the consumers.

FYI Texas, diesel oil as heating fuel is now very close to, or more expensive than, off peak electricity here [at overall efficiencies] , but I'm with you on the weaknesses of night-storage rads.

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pic 2. My split-load consumer unit for my remodel.

The relays shown are 4th and 5th from right lower bank, with associated 10A and 16A breakers, and control a dishwasher and a washing machine. In France, these machines usually take in cold water only, so using off peak makes real economies. They are housed in a buanderie, or laundry room, and it is simple to use them on normal rate if needed by switching at the consumer unit.

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pic 3. Off peak controls, relay, 10A & 16A breakers.

This subpanel in my remodel is dedicated to running the chauff-eau only, which will be a 200 litre horizontal model under the staircase. 2kw load at 230v.

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pic 4. Chauffe-eau. [ Spelled correctly! ]

This is our 200 litre, vertical model. 1.8kw at 230v. These units consist of a simple cistern at mains water pressure [45psi] with an immersion heater embedded. At bottom right is the safety pressure relief valve and drain vent to outside which prevents un-wanted steam explosions! Note my brit plug and RCD unit for garden machines and sewage pump supply, at top right. Neat insulated casing, one pipe in, one pipe out.


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-05-2006).]