Water heating element – clip, power – 3.0 kW

The middle of the clip range: 3.0 kW heats noticeably faster than the smaller sizes yet loads the wiring less than the 4.0 and 5.0 kW models. For a household tank it is a sensible middle ground.

The 10 mm tube is folded twice, paper-clip fashion, so the heated section takes up little height. Fittings are 14 or 16 mm in diameter with 60 mm between their centres; check those figures against the old element.

The stainless sheath lives happily in water and not at all in air, so only switch on once the element is submerged.

• Power — 3.0 kW
• Fitting diameter — 14 mm, 16 mm
• Tube diameter — 10 mm
• Centre distance — 60 mm
• Material — stainless steel
• Medium — water