Immersion tripping after new bathroom

[Sarah76]

Hi. We have an immersion heater tank on economy 7. We have had no issues with this since moving in 3 years ago. We have just had our bathroom renovated including an electric towel heater wired in. From the very next day our night time immersion switch keeps tripping. Our decorator tells us there is no connection but it seems a large coincidence. He has tried to get the immersion out to replace it but was unable to so says the tank needs replacing. Can you please let me know your thoughts and if there a likely connection. Thanks

 

[Amp David]

I’d get your decoratior to test the circuit then the imm htr

 

[Squid]

What other electrical work was carried out at the time apart from the electric towel rail and how was that connected up and by who?

 

[Madocks]

If you turn the immersion trip switch off, does the towel radiator go off also?

What size trip is it?

 

[telectrix]

I’d get your decoratior to test the circuit then the imm htr

how would a decorator test it.... with a sheepskin roller?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Immersion heaters are subject to sudden failure without any warning. It may be coincidence, but only way to find out is to inspect and test.
Just out of curiosity, why is the decorator attempting to sort the immersion heater?

 

[telectrix]

maybe percy painter, likes to dabble in plumbing and electrics while waiting for his wallpaper to fall off.

 

[snowhead]

Has anyone fixed anything to the wall anywhere near the Immersion Heater, Switch or Airing cupboard?

 

[telectrix]

yeah, a towel rail.

 

[Octopus]

Who renovated the bathroom?

Who fitted the towel rail?

Your suspicions that its more than a coincidence may well be correct.

 

[ipf]

maybe percy painter, likes to dabble in plumbing and electrics while waiting for his wallpaper to fall off.

Oh, we are nasty. Let's all hang the decorator out to dry...... on the towel rail.
...I wonder why changing the tank comes into it?

 

[snowhead]

...I wonder why changing the tank comes into it?

Because without testing he's decided it must be the heater in the cylinder.
And without enough experience of removing immersions he's failed, or chickened out when the cylinder started to distort.

 

[telectrix]

 

[ipf]

Because without testing he's decided it must be the heater in the cylinder.
And without enough experience of removing immersions he's failed, or chickened out when the cylinder started to distort.

Nah! It's a case of solve it the simplest way.

 

[Wilko]

Hi Sarah - it's possible the cable to the immersion has been damaged or perhaps reused for the towel rail incorrectly. Is it the circuit breaker that trips or is it an RCD ?

 

[Sarah76]

The decorator did the bathroom and an electrician came to do the towel rail that he knew. He fitted a switch in the bathroom and another in the hall. The decorator then came back to look at the immersion, he a plumber also, not just a painter and I did see an electrics tester being used

 

[telectrix]

why is a decorator messing with electrics. on my jobs if my redecoration is required, i employ a skilled decorator. stick to your own, i say.

 

[Sarah76]

As I say, the decorator did not fit the towel rail. Can someone please let me know how fitting the towel rail could be causing the immersion to trip. I have not paid the decorator as yet. He said that the work would not be linked to the immersion suddenly tripping, but he would change the immersion with no labour coats as a gesture, but was not able to get it out the tank. Do people think I am justified to refuse to pay or the works until the immersion is fixed, or is a link unlikely?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Because without testing he's decided it must be the heater in the cylinder.
And without enough experience of removing immersions he's failed, or chickened out when the cylinder started to distort.

You say that but I have managed to split a tank before, admittedly it was an old one and the element was stuck in good and encrusted with all sorts where it had leaked previously. thankfully, the customer was understanding as they had already tried to get it out themselves with no luck.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Blimey this guy is a painter, decorator and plumber plus bit electrician, He must have spent 10 years at college or 8 weeks in a training warehouse to be all them things....