Water Distiller Keeps Shorting

[Jonathan Adams]

Hi Folks,

Ive got an elderly water distiller that packed in a few weeks ago, with a suspected blown heating element (kept tripping the main fuse).
Sent away for new parts, installed them and now it just blows the local fuse, accompanied by a flash and a bang.
Ive been over it all with a multimeter and can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing wrong.
I've replaced the thermal reset switch as well.
Attached is a pic showing the connections - I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Many thanks

 

[telectrix]

suggest IR testing next.

 

[Pete999]

Hi Folks,

Ive got an elderly water distiller that packed in a few weeks ago, with a suspected blown heating element (kept tripping the main fuse).
Sent away for new parts, installed them and now it just blows the local fuse, accompanied by a flash and a bang.
Ive been over it all with a multimeter and can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing wrong.
I've replaced the thermal reset switch as well.
Attached is a pic showing the connections - I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Many thanks

View attachment 38948

Would have been more cost effective to get someone in to look at your equipment who is qualified to do son. sorry to be so blunt, but would you start messing with your Gas boiler if it went US?

 

[Jonathan Adams]

I thought this was a place for advice rather than admonishments, Pete...

 

[Jonathan Adams]

suggest IR testing next.

IR testing?

 

[Pete999]

I thought this was a place for advice rather than admonishments, Pete...

I wasn't admonishing you Jonathan, that was my advice, what you must appreciate is fault finding is not just a case of changing the thing you think is faulty. it's actually a case of tracing the fault, in many cases it will be a simple problem which can be resolved easily, however some faults are more difficult to resolve.
Changing equipment is not always the answer.
If I have offended you that was not my intention, my point was if you are proficient at administration, or service providing then stick to what you are good at.
Many safety problems can be bypassed by folk, trying to save money and time by trying to resolve a problem, that they have very little knowledge of, my point about the Gas fitter was valid, electricity, is as dangerous as Gas, more so in fact as you can't smell it, until it has burnt you to a crisp, so I'll stand by my advice, there was never an intention to be little you at all, so please take my post as it was intended, safety first, hope you get your problem sorted.

 

[ipf]

IR testing?

Nah....finger test'll do!

 

[Midwest]

Looks a bit elderly to me, and I'm not referring to Pete or Tel

Where does this water distilling machine do its business?

 

[Jonathan Adams]

I see this isn't really a forum for advice, just a place for the smug and self-righteous to sneer at DIYers.

 

[telectrix]

it's past beer o'clock on a wet sunday, yous bound to get a bit of unhelpful comments, but as pete says, finding faults is a dark art in itself. i'm only good at ti coz i sold my soul to Theakston's.

 

[Jonathan Adams]

Looks a bit elderly to me, and I'm not referring to Pete or Tel

Where does this water distilling machine do its business?

Hi Midwest. Thanks for your reply. It's installed in a shed right now.

 

[Taylortwocities]

IR testing?

Insulation Resistance. A basic test, needs special tester that stuffs 500 or 1000 volts up something to see if there's a breakdown in the insulation, etc.
Every electrician has (should have) one.

 

[Midwest]

Hi Midwest. Thanks for your reply. It's installed in a shed right now.

Don't get paly with me I've been know to turn.......only joking . OP take a chill pill, you'll get some banter, but your also get some good advise, if you stay around.

 

[Jonathan Adams]

it's past beer o'clock on a wet sunday, yous bound to get a bit of unhelpful comments, but as pete says, finding faults is a dark art in itself. i'm only good at ti coz i sold my soul to Theakston's.

Understood. Thanks for your input. Are you saying that the symptoms I'm getting might be caused by degraded insulation? It's possible that they may have become corroded by the steam, but I cant find any place where the insulation is actually breached.

 

[telectrix]

meanwhile, might have to actually buy a bottle of whisky, till the still is fixed.

 

[Midwest]

Hi Midwest. Thanks for your reply. It's installed in a shed right now.

If its in a damp shed, that might be the issue. Incidentally, why have you got a distiller, not making some nice hooch are yers?

 

[telectrix]

Understood. Thanks for your input. Are you saying that the symptoms I'm getting might be caused by degraded wiring? It's possible that they may have become corroded by the steam, but I cant find any place where the insulation is actually breached.

to be honest. it could be anything. is it tripping a MCB/fuse, or a RCD?

 

[Midwest]

Have to say looking at all those connections and bits & bobs, it does look a bit dodge whah, electrical wise not illicit still wise.

 

[westward10]

Does it blow the fuse immediately.

 

[ipf]

I see this isn't really a forum for advice, just a place for the smug and self-righteous to sneer at DIYers.

Have you tried the reset?