Gledhill Boilermate 2000 switch

[Corgigrouch]

I'm having fun and games with one of these wonderful devices at the moment.... The problem is there is an earth leakage that is tripping the RCD in the consumer unit... All of this follows a builder draining down and firing the boiler before the cylinder had filled properly.

My initial diagnosis suggested that it was the central heating circulator, so I connected up a new pump just to check but despite this the problem persists... I also found that when I switched to electric heating the RCD tripped... Disconnect the wires suplying the immersion proved that the immersion had a fault but whenever that pump is called to run we suffer from an earth leakage... What am I missing? Anyone had a similar problem?

By the way, I checked the RCD and it is fine...

Gizz a clue before I do a Basil Fawlty!!!!!!

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

Nothing I can give you specifically but recently I was working on a boiler that was tripping an RCD. It was a very old boiler and although the wires were on the right clips and all that they had still badly deteriorated with the heat. In short what I'm suggesting is that you check resistance to earth from various isolated points and look out for old crumbly wires.
Get a sparky to back me up on this but I'm told that a fixed item such as a boiler does not need to be on an RCD

 

[gas4you]

Perhaps the draining down is a red herring and this is a coincidence that it has happened now

As the immersion should be on a seperate circuit completely from the heating, I would be looking for a neutral to earth fault at first, but then I'm no sparks expert.

Try disconnecting each component rather than replacing, and turning it on, including the boiler, and see if this will point out the faulty device, assuming there is one and it is not a wiring fault.

 

[simond]

I know nothing about a switch - other than I believe it was a dual fuel Gledhill with an immersion heater for eco7 use.

If the unit was dry fired then the immersion heater insulation resistance has probably been compromised. An RCD will detect a phase or neutral leak to earth.

The only way to test the immersion and pump is to 'Megger' them individually for insulation resistance.

I guess there could be an insulation problem on a flow switch?

 

[Corgigrouch]

Thanks for that guys..

I got to the bottom of the problems with this Gledhill.... I fished out my old Megger and checked out the pumps and all three were OK... There was indeed an earth leak on one of the two heater elements (When initially dignosing I merly disconnected the lives and not the neutrals... DOH) which I guess was the original problem caused by turning the elements on with the heat bank not completely filled (The supply from the F&E to the heat bank was partially blocked and so only trickled in and I gess that the builder got a little impatient)

More puzzling was the wrecked circuit board and all three temperature sensors damaged, I cant see that a problem with the heater element could cause this kind of damage but the home owners wife told me that I was the second engineer to attend for the builder.... But I doubt that I will ever figure out what happened there

The total toll was one circuit board, three temperature sensors and an immersion heater assembly.

Think I'll stick to fitting unvented cylinders. The Gledhill is a nice idea on paper but has too many parts that can give trouble in the real world

 

[gas4you]

The DHW and return sensors are notorious for failing on a regular basis.

They should always be replaced as a pair. I've yet to to have to replace the store sensor though

I've had a few pcb's go on these also.

As you say, nice idea, but carp quality. Sad thing is I've got one in my house

I have now got to replace the sensors for the second time in 4 years

 

[dodgiedave]

Thanks for that guys..

I got to the bottom of the problems with this Gledhill.... I fished out my old Megger and checked out the pumps and all three were OK... There was indeed an earth leak on one of the two heater elements (When initially dignosing I merly disconnected the lives and not the neutrals... DOH) which I guess was the original problem caused by turning the elements on with the heat bank not completely filled (The supply from the F&E to the heat bank was partially blocked and so only trickled in and I gess that the builder got a little impatient)

More puzzling was the wrecked circuit board and all three temperature sensors damaged, I cant see that a problem with the heater element could cause this kind of damage but the home owners wife told me that I was the second engineer to attend for the builder.... But I doubt that I will ever figure out what happened there

The total toll was one circuit board, three temperature sensors and an immersion heater assembly.

Think I'll stick to fitting unvented cylinders. The Gledhill is a nice idea on paper but has too many parts that can give trouble in the real world

Hi, I'm having the same issue. After a recent drain down and pump replacement I impatiently dry fired the unit and got a burning smell! I've now realised after weeks of mystery that the unit is tripping my RCD circuit. My PCB is fine, but I am not entirely sure which part is burnt out as mentioned? Is it the 'Switch heating element'? Or the heat exchanger?
Thanks in advance

 

[dilalio]

Hi, I'm having the same issue. After a recent drain down and pump replacement I impatiently dry fired the unit and got a burning smell! I've now realised after weeks of mystery that the unit is tripping my RCD circuit. My PCB is fine, but I am not entirely sure which part is burnt out as mentioned? Is it the 'Switch heating element'? Or the heat exchanger?
Thanks in advance

Start a New thread and link to this one.

But as far a boilermate concerned... Move house!