Immersion Element Test Results

[EMSpark]

An elderly couple have asked me to look into why their immersion heater isn't heating the water.

I have disconnected the element and, using an ohmeter, am getting the following readings:

Anywhere from 700 ohms to 60K ohms L-N
70 ohms N-E
500 ohms and climbing L-E

I suspect the element is knackered and needs replacing, but before I get Mr Plumber involved I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Leesparkykent]

An elderly couple have asked me to look into why their immersion heater isn't heating the water.

I have disconnected the element and, using an ohmeter, am getting the following readings:

Anywhere from 700 ohms to 60K ohms L-N
70 ohms N-E
500 ohms and climbing L-E

I suspect the element is knackered and needs replacing, but before I get Mr Plumber involved I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

Around the element you should roughly be getting around 19.2 Ohms if its 3 KW. 240x240/3000=19.2 Ohms

 

[7029 dave]

IMO a good element should read around 16/17 ohms , have you IR the element between LN LE.? I take it you are an Electrician.?

 

[EMSpark]

IMO a good element should read around 16/17 ohms , have you IR the element between LN LE.? I take it you are an Electrician.?

Thanks Dave.

No - I haven't IR tested... Having already measured the resistance, would an additional IR test been beneficial?

Yes, I'm an electrician. Possibly the greatest - that's what my mum says.

 

[HandySparks]

It's clearly knackered; no question.

 

[snowhead]

It'll look like this when removed, you decide;

 

[EMSpark]

Thanks very much all for your time. Will advise clients accordingly. Cheers.

 

[telectrix]

It'll look like this when removed, you decide;

View attachment 32469

do you mind not posting a picture of my bronchial passages on an open forum !!!!!!!. :24:

 

[PEG]

Hi dude,just out of interest,did you disconnect all the other conductors,at the immersion plate,when you obtained those readings?

 

[davesparks]

I would hazard a guess that the casing of the element has split and that the conductor inside has broken.

In other words, replace it.

 

[EMSpark]

Hi dude,just out of interest,did you disconnect all the other conductors,at the immersion plate,when you obtained those readings?

Hi.

Yes, disconnected everything.

 

[PEG]

Nice one...in which case,all you have to do,is remove the old one,and replace....it should be finger tight,and if you reverse the bathroom fan,the pressure will hold the water back :bow:

NB: Please don't rely on the above...

 

[HandySparks]

Nice one...in which case,all you have to do,is remove the old one,and replace....it should be finger tight,and if you reverse the bathroom fan,the pressure will hold the water back :bow:

NB: Please don't rely on the above...

Ha ha!

In my experience,they vary from:
pretty tight but come out with a hammer clout on the big spanner, to
cut the gasket away with a hacksaw blade or multitool (don't damage the sealing face of the boss), then it comes out, to
chain drill across the diameter and break it out in pieces (on a boss plug that had been in for a while).

 

[7029 dave]

Box spanner and big steelies, careful not to buckle the boss.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Ha ha!

In my experience,they vary from:
pretty tight but come out with a hammer clout on the big spanner, to
cut the gasket away with a hacksaw blade or multitool (don't damage the sealing face of the boss), then it comes out, to
chain drill across the diameter and break it out in pieces (on a boss plug that had been in for a while).

I find it best to use a box spanner than the normal immersion spanner so you can apply pressure both sides and less risk of buckling the pocket/cylinder. Some times I find trying to tighten it a little first before i loosen it breaks to seal so to speak and easier to loosen.

 

[telectrix]

i always use a flat spanner and a club hammer. not a daft whack, but a rapid series of light taps. never broke a tank in 40 years.

 

[richy3333]

I always use a wet pants. Then if the tank gets flucked it isn't my problem