immersion heater

[i=p/u]

hi.
i went to see an immersion heater tonight that hasn't been working for a number of years according to owner.

soon as i turned it on it trips the rcd, then i take off connections at immersion heater and it doesn't trip rcd. so tells me the element.

when i took element cover off you could see a white coating all around which i think is limescale/corrision(hard water area). when IR test i got short between all conductors.

would corrosion in element cause short between conductors?

when measured resistance of element the reading was 18.3 ohms. which i think is an ok reading.

any views welcome .

 

[Des 56]

Its funny how experience of obscure things comes our way
If you go back to the miners strike and when coal was a major form of heating for the miners,I installed loads of immersion elements

When the tank wouldn't give up the element without distorting, or it was top entry with no access I used to sweat a new boss on and leave the old one intact,also, that copper is surprisingly very thin , at a push it can even be cut with a Stanley knife so care is needed

The post I made about the bucket was no joke:blush5: .out with the old and in with the new,then hope to god you dont cross thread on re entry

 

[Top Cat]

Its funny how experience of obscure things comes our way
If you go back to the miners strike and when coal was a major form of heating for the miners,I installed loads of immersion elements

When the tank wouldn't give up the element without distorting, or it was top entry with no access I used to sweat a new boss on and leave the old one intact,also, that copper is surprisingly very thin , at a push it can even be cut with a Stanley knife so care is needed

The post I made about the bucket was no joke:blush5: .out with the old and in with the new,then hope to god you dont cross thread on re entry

If you go back even further Des the Electricity boards used to rent immersion heaters! Mind you that was when the prepayment meters were 6 pence (and that's old money)!

 

[cbw]

Done one today 'myself'

Best tool for the job was the phone..... Hi Tristan, its James could you nip to a customers and do an element thats tripping the RCD....Cheers mate.

Banged £40.00 on top for the trouble.

Water is for plumbers.....

Like the term wet heads, may use that instead of poo touchers

 

[Dave 85]

Defo scummers job......wouldn't touch it with a barge pole

 

[i=p/u]

well guys thanks for your experiences.. exactly why the forum is here , to stop me in my tracks , heading for disaster

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Draining down the tank ?:sleep1:
When the elements are side mounted,if you have the confidence and somebody to hold the bucket :smile5:

If you can get the drain tap to open. The jumper is usually stuck fast to it's seat and requires a 'stiff talking to' (read persuasion with a hammer and an old screwdriver).

 

[Geordie Spark]

If you can get the drain tap to open. The jumper is usually stuck fast to it's seat and requires a 'stiff talking to' (read persuasion with a hammer and an old screwdriver).

Another use for the Neon Screwdriver ???

 

[Knobhead]

Can’t beat 24” Stillsons for shifting them. A bit of gentle heat helps as well.

 

[HandySparks]

If you're going to drain the cylinder from the bottom, its worth having a spare drain cock washer on the van (smaller than a normal 1/2" tap washer). Then when you've had to dig it off the seat with an old screwdriver and it's fallen apart because it's hardened with age, you've got something to replace it with.