Immersion heater failure

[Stuart Lane]

I've just rewired my old I.H. and it seemed to be working fine although it was quite noisy. Something tripped the RCD last night and I suspect it was that. Now there is nothing - No noise at all. I don't have the meters to test it unfortunately. Is it likely that it's packed up completely with being rather old?

 

[James]

it is entirely possible, the last immersion heater i went to fix had broken in two places and had a 6 inch section corroded away.

i think you probably want an electrician to come and have a look at it for you.

 

[littlespark]

I just had a phone call to look at someone’s water heating. (Guessing immersion, or she wouldn’t have phoned a spark)

Out of curiosity, what should a healthy immersion read across the element in ohms?
I don’t know the size yet.

 

[Baddegg]

I just had a phone call to look at someone’s water heating. (Guessing immersion, or she wouldn’t have phoned a spark)

Out of curiosity, what should a healthy immersion read across the element in ohms?
I don’t know the size yet.

10-30 ish I think

 

[davesparks]

I just had a phone call to look at someone’s water heating. (Guessing immersion, or she wouldn’t have phoned a spark)

Out of curiosity, what should a healthy immersion read across the element in ohms?
I don’t know the size yet.

For a normal 3kW at 240V immersion just over 17ohms.

 

[James]

when they fail, they normally go open circuit, and at the same time have a poor IR.
always check the stat and isolator though. too easy to overlook the obvious!

 

[littlespark]

Yeh... well, she says it’s not as hot as it used to be, but don’t know if that means it’s a constant lesser heat, or just slowly getting cold.
Local ex council house, so I bet it’s the e7 controller.

sorry, OP. You’re north east? How much north? You’re maybe just into my working range?

 

[telectrix]

lower temp. is usually the sign of calcium carbonate deposits (scale) in hard water furring up the element.

 

[Let me think]

If it has failed, then hopefully it's easily replaced, as they can be an absolute pain in the rear end to get out without damaging the tank.

Good luck.

 

[Baddegg]

If it has failed, then hopefully it's easily replaced, as they can be an absolute pain in the rear end to get out without damaging the tank.

Good luck.

I always put in writing beforehand that there is a slim chance of the heater cracking during change of elements and get them to confirm they still want me to proceed...I’d be happy if they said no ?

 

[7029 dave]

Between 17 19ohms for a 3KW healthy element would be the reading your looking for.

 

[123]

I always put in writing beforehand that there is a slim chance of the heater cracking during change of elements and get them to confirm they still want me to proceed...I’d be happy if they said no ?

I tell them to get a plumber

 

[7029 dave]

If it has failed, then hopefully it's easily replaced, as they can be an absolute pain in the rear end to get out without damaging the tank.

Good luck.

The biggest problem is trying not to buckle the boss.

 

[davesparks]

If it has failed, then hopefully it's easily replaced, as they can be an absolute pain in the rear end to get out without damaging the tank.

Good luck.

I've always found it pretty easy, you just have to get your tame local water clown to do it while you sit back and drink tea, maybe offering helpful hints like pointing out that there's water coming out of the leak they just created.

 

[Baddegg]

I tell them to get a plumber

That’s just nasty mate ?
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I've always found it pretty easy, you just have to get your tame local water clown to do it while you sit back and drink tea, maybe offering helpful hints like pointing out that there's water coming out of the leak they just created.

Water clown ???

 

[Stuart Lane]

I had a quick go at moving it with the removal tool already and it moved. I know the risks of cracking the tank boss and yes it terrifies me so will tread very carefully. I've got a brand new heater there ready to go. I would really like to invest in some electrical meters shortly as I'm still learning. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Baddegg]

I had a quick go at moving it with the removal tool already and it moved. I know the risks of cracking the tank boss and yes it terrifies me so will tread very carefully. I've got a brand new heater there ready to go. I would really like to invest in some electrical meters shortly as I'm still learning. Thanks for all the replies.

If it’s moving you’ll be fine from there on in and Good luck with ya learning mate ?

 

[littlespark]

Update on my job. Duel elements. 3 way split heating board controlled by SP tele switch.
24hr side works through the e7 controller.
The off peak side tests fine right through from the supply side of its mainswitch
(18 ohms on both elements, thermostat turned right up, no cutout thermostat)

either she’s using all the hot water before bath time, or she expects it to be very hot.
There’s no way to override the teleswitch?
more test the outputs when not off peak?

I suppose I could move it onto the 24 hr just for a test, but I think it would be inconclusive.