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

 

[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?

 

[Jonathan Adams]

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

Previously the large RCCB switch would trip (reckoned the culprit was the heater element). Since I replaced the components its now only the MCB.

 

[Midwest]

Does it blow the fuse immediately.

Eh up the generals arrived. I'm off to cook the Sunday Lunch err tea.

 

[Jonathan Adams]

Does it blow the fuse immediately.

Yes, instantly. Big flash and pfzzt as well

 

[Wilko]

This is where I'd refer to the manufacturer's wiring diagram or the pic I took of it on my phone before I took it apart ... If you've neither then you need a way to work through this that doesn't involve a long series of bang tests. Perhaps one of the wires is now shorting out the supply, so maybe a battery and a lamp?

 

[Midwest]

This is where I'd refer to the manufacturer's wiring diagram or the pic I took of it on my phone before I took it apart ... If you've neither then you need a way to work through this that doesn't involve a long series of bang tests. Perhaps one of the wires is now shorting out the supply, so maybe a battery and a lamp?

Perhaps the replacement element is duff? Put the spuds on love!

 

[Octopus]

It's amazing how people think they can fix something like this without knowledge, experience and some expensive test kit that you know how to use.

What is it used for?

 

[Ian1981]

I’m just gonna put it out there.
Why is there a black wire connected to a red one?

 

[westward10]

I’m just gonna put it out there.
Why is there a black wire connected to a red one?

To make it go bang.

 

[Wilko]

I’m just gonna put it out there.
Why is there a black wire connected to a red one?

I was thinking that in #24 but didn't dare say it

 

[Ian1981]

I was thinking that in #24 but didn't dare say it

I know nothing of the internal wiring but red with black seems like a no no and the op has messed about with it.
It might be a before pic I don’t know