Technical Note: Thermino xPlus in Temporary Continuous Electric Mode
(D0116)
NOTICE
Please read & comply with all these instructions before commencing installation. Failure to install and operate this system in accordance with these instructions will invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty.
Please leave these instructions with the customer for future reference.
Always use these instructions in conjunction with the Installation and User Instructions Manual of the purchased Sunamp heat battery.
1. Introduction
1.1 General
The following instructions provide guidance for the installer and end-user of Thermino® xPlus heat batteries when used in continuous electric mode for a temporary period of time (charging via the internal heating element).
The installation of Thermino® xPlus in continuous electric mode must be carried out by a competent installer in accordance with local codes and regulations for plumbing, electrical installations and potable water supply.
Please note that using a Thermino® xPlus in continuous electric mode is not the standard intended use of the product. The primary function of a Thermino® xPlus heat battery is to be hydraulically charged by an external heat source (i.e. Heat Pump or Boiler) as a primary source of energy. This requires the use of an appropriate Optimino® key from the XX01 range (external heat source only functionality). For detailed information on standard installation of the heat battery, please refer to the installation and user instructions manual.
The installation of Thermino® xPlus heat batteries in continuous electric mode is a temporary solution and will only be permitted for a temporary period of time under the circumstances highlighted below. Otherwise, the installation will be considered non-standard as it deviates from the intended use of the product, which will invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty:
The Heat Pump or Boiler is yet to be installed and commissioned.
WARNING
All installations must be carried out by a competent installer in accordance with local codes and regulations for plumbing, electrical installations and potable water supply.
CAUTION
The guidance and instructions outlined in this document are only applicable for the first-time installation of a Thermino xPlus product.
Once an external heat source is commissioned (eg. heat pump or boiler) and the primary circuit (ports B to C) of the heat battery has been exposed to system water, it is no longer suitable for use in potable hot water applications. Therefore, any Thermino xPlus installed and commissioned as per the installation and user instructions manual (document D0101) MUST never be reconfigured to operate in continuous electric mode.
1.2 Symbols Used
In these instructions the following symbols are being used to draw the user’s attention to information of particular importance.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury or material damage.
NOTICE
Signals information that is considered important but not hazard related.
1.3 Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used throughout the document:
DHW – Domestic Hot Water
PDC – Power Diversion Controller
PV – Photovoltaic
2. Safety
2.1 General Safety Notices
WARNING
Only competent persons suitably qualified to carry out plumbing and electrical work may undertake installations, repairs or relocations of the appliance.
Product training on the full range of Thermino heat batteries is available from Sunamp or authorised training partners.
WARNING
Risk of electric shock – potential dual supply. Always isolate the power supplies to the heat battery controller before working on the heat battery.
CAUTION
These instructions must be read in conjunction with the Installation and User Instructions for the respective Thermino product.
CAUTION
Do not operate the immersion heater until the correct commissioning procedure has been identified and the unit has been appropriately commissioned (see document D0114).
CAUTIONc
Each heat battery must be protected by its own dedicated MCB and have a double pole isolating switch with a contact separation of at least 3mm in both poles, which is located in close proximity to the heat battery. For required MCB specification, please refer to Table 1 in document D0101.
3. Accessing Continuous Electric Mode in Thermino xPlus products
NOTICE
Please note that using Thermino® xPlus heat batteries in continuous electric mode is not the intended use of the product. This can lead to increased electricity consumption, resulting in higher energy costs. Be aware that this may affect the energy efficiency of the product. Therefore, extended use of Thermino® xPlus heat batteries in continuous electric mode is not recommended and is restricted to the circumstances mentioned in the Introduction.
NOTICE
Engaging the volt-free switch below will put the Heat Battery into electric mode. This can lead to increased electricity consumption, resulting in higher energy costs. This should be explained to the end user and the switch labelled accordingly.
To operate Thermino® xPlus heat batteries in continuous electric mode, the heat battery must have a VOLT-FREE jumper cable installed between terminals 1 & 2 in the controller wiring strip (NO Optimino key required) AND must be plumbed and commissioned like its Thermino ePlus relative. Please follow the market-specific instructions below in conjunction with the above guidance for the correct installation and commissioning of the product.
3.1 For products installed in US & CA
To operate Thermino xPlus heat batteries in continuous electric mode:
-
Follow the Installation, Plumbing and Commissioning instructions as outlined in the Thermino ePlus installation & user instructions manual (document D0100):
Follow Figure 8 for plumbing requirements of Thermino xPlus models (sizes 40, 60 and 80)
Note the caption in Figure 8 in D0100 refers to the Thermino 80 ePlus plumbing requirements, however for this use-case, this is correct for all dual circuit (4 pipe) Thermino models, which includes all Thermino xPlus models (sizes 40, 60, 80) being used in continuous electric mode.
Install a VOLT-FREE jumper cable between terminals 1 & 2 on the controller wiring strip
NOTICE
To preserve the potability of the fresh water circuit (ports D to A), a Thermino xPlus that has been originally installed as per document D0101 (system water in the primary circuit, ports B to C) must not be reconfigured for use in continuous electric mode.
4. Installation of an External Heat Source
CAUTION
When installing an external heat source with the Thermino xPlus heat battery, the heat battery MUST be re-plumbed and re-commissioned as outlined in the Thermino xPlus installation & user manual (document D0101).
CAUTION
The guidance and instructions outlined in this document are only applicable for the first-time installation of a Thermino xPlus product.
Once an external heat source is commissioned (eg. heat pump or boiler) and the primary circuit (ports B to C) of the heat battery has been exposed to system water, it is no longer suitable for use in potable hot water applications.
Therefore, any Thermino xPlus installed and commissioned as per document D0101 MUST never be reconfigured to operate in continuous electric mode.
NOTICE
For detailed wiring, hydraulic installation and commissioning instructions, please refer to the heat battery Installation & User Instructions manual.
Document Part Number: D0116
Version Number: 1.0
Publication Date: 02.02.2026
Sunamp Ltd
1 Satellite Park
Macmerry
East Lothian
EH33 1RY
Scotland
Customer Service (Phone): +44 (0)1875 610 001
Customer Service (Email): customerservice@sunamp.com
www.sunamp.com