I could be wrong.
But I thought copper cylinders with copper plumbing didn't need them.
Corrosion issue in immersion heater
- Thread starter Barbs706
- Start date
I could be wrong.
But I thought copper cylinders with copper plumbing didn't need them.
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No I do not have gas supply in my area so the immersion heater is my only form of heating the tank
Just Googled sacrificial anode
I don't know if this helps, but the tank is fairly new. Max 2 year old
Thanks
If there's nothing wrong with the electrics side of it, when replacing the immersion heater fit an incoloy sheathed one.
Or, in a particularly aggressive water area, a titanium sheathed one.
Re sacrificial anode, how do you fit a new one?
In my day they were an integral part of the cylinder - soldered/brazed to the base.
Or, in a particularly aggressive water area, a titanium sheathed one.
Re sacrificial anode, how do you fit a new one?
In my day they were an integral part of the cylinder - soldered/brazed to the base.
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Not a stainless steel cylinder is it? These need an immersion with a stainless steel pocket.
The last 3 immersion heaters I have had fitted have been titanium ones. I think I have found the problem. This morning I used my multi meter to check the earth in the immersion wiring. There is a circuit between my earthed copper piping and the earth cable, but it is showing a resistance of 21ohms. Shouldn't the earth be next to hardly any resistance?
Ensure the cold main is securely earthed with an earthing clamp.
Then ensure all hot and cold pipes are earthed should sort the problem out.
M
mysteryman
Some water can cause corrosion of copper, this can be in metal mining areas such as parts of Cornwall.
Just had an electrician round. He measured from tank to an earth thing you plug in, and he said it was 2ohms, not 20 could 2 ohms cause this still?. Just a thought, I'm not sure if I have a steel tank or copper. If its stainless, could that cause a reaction to the copper sleeve? Thanks
could 2 ohms cause this still?. Just a thought, I'm not sure if I have a steel tank or copper. If its stainless, could that cause a reaction to the copper sleeve? ThanksI think the electrolysis bit is right, but if there had been an electrical fault (typically a defective immersion heater, with a current leak to earth) you'd hope it would have been rectified when the immersion heater had been replaced the first time.
I suspect there is something else going on here. If there isn't an electrical fault creating a current to earth, then it is galvanic corrosion making a current.
Possibly the main earth connection is broken and a defective appliance is making the earth live, so the current is going to earth through the water pipes? I'd hope the sparky would have tested that, but it's the only explanation I can think of.
Barbs; 1) Were new thermostats fitted with the new immersion heaters?
2) Is there an RCD in your electrical distribution board?
3) What metal is the water cylinder? Is there a maker's name or model on it?
4) What metal are the pipes connected to the cylinder?
5) Do you have a water softener?
PS It shouldn't need a sacrificial anode, IF it's a copper cylinder with copper pipework. Sacrificial anodes were prohibited, I believe, in the last decade (due to the corrosion products in the potable water) and all recent steel cylinders, that would formerly have had a sacrificial anode, came fitted with an electronic corrosion protection device.
M
mysteryman
6) Is the water corrosive?
The electrician plugged a gadget into a plug in my kitchen and shorted it out. It tripped the RCD in my fuse box. I think he done it twice. One at 400mv and another alot higher. He measured the time it took to trip and he said it was working fine. 18ms I think. I'm not sure on the material of the tank. All the fittings and the thread for the immersion are stainless but all my pipe work is soldered copper. I can't see a brand or anything on the tank. The thermostats were all replaced with each new heater I have had. They all came with a new one. No I don't use any sort of water softener. Thanks!
I have checked the Ph levels of the water from the tank. Readthe same as my tap water, around 7.5
That`s the answer - you got a stainless tank - so need a compatible immersion thermostat phial
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