earth leakage in economy 2000 boilers

[BMelectrics]

Hi everyone

I am new to this board and would firstly like to say hello to everyone and to keep up the good work, this place is like a hidden vault for knowledge.

I've been asked a bit of a curveball question form my friend who is a building contractor.

An installation that he completed 4 years ago has 2 economy 2000 boilers, and the copper pipes have started to leak. After further investigation it seems that the pipes flux is ok and is not corroding the pipes, but it has been suggested that there is an earth leakage, and the electro-sis that is happening in the water is corroding the copper pipes.

I said to him, "surely if there was an earth leakage the RCD would trip?" but was wondering if the leakage from these systems is less than 30mA, and if a current this small could erode pipes??

anyone care to shed any light on this matter???

Thanks guys

 

[Top Cat]

Hi and welcome, probably the plumber is trying to push the blame on to the electrician!

 

[BMelectrics]

yeah, just seems like an unusual situation to me, but i ain't no electrical engineer.......yet! ;p

 

[Strima]

The act of soldering gets rid of the flux and any remaining is flushed out by the flow of water. Sounds like really crappy soldering and the plumber is diverting the blame.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

In unvented systems it is vital that recommended concentration of corrosion inhibitor is maintained in the CH system. The boilers themselves usually contain sacrificial anodes within the HW tank to minimise the effects of electrolysis in that system.

 

[truckster]

In unvented systems it is vital that recommended concentration of corrosion inhibitor is maintained in the CH system. The boilers themselves usually contain sacrificial anodes within the HW tank to minimise the effects of electrolysis in that system.

Agree, where is the corrosion? At the joints? If so I'd say thats a clue!

Another thought, where didthe pipes come from? Cheap shed pipes are usually thinner walled and will deteriorate pretty fast.