Immersion Heating Problem

[bluefunnelline]

I'm in the process of replacing my old fuse board with a Consumer Unit. It is in the planning stage

Recently, I found that the 20 amp fuse feeding the immersion heater was blown. I replaced the fuse with a new 20 amp. After a few days, this fuse also blew. When I removed the fuse, the body of the fuse brike apart.

Some months ago, the switch of rhe dual immersion heater jammed in the on position. I replaced the switch. Everything worked fine until the problem with the blown fuses occured.

Obviously the immersion is drawing too much currebt. What could the problem be?

At the time of replacing the switch, I checked the resistance of the elements and all seemed to be ok.

Any help would be most welcome.

Jimmy

 

[EFLImpudence]

When you say "THE switch of the dual immersion heater", is it just an ordinary on/off switch and do you mean you have two immersion heaters connected to this ONE switch?

 

[AndyPRK]

You shouldn’t have 2 elements on at the say time.
You may need something like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153783298426

 

[bluefunnelline]

The switch is a Bath?Sink changeover switch - only one element is on at any one time. .
Is it possible that there could be a short within the main element?

Thanks

Jimmy

 

[EFLImpudence]

The switch is a Bath?Sink changeover switch - only one element is on at any one time.

Ok.

Is it possible that there could be a short within the main element?

Could be - not a permanent one - but it could be bending when it gets hot and causing a short.

 

[ericmark]

I note Ireland, and one I am lead to understand your rules on working on electrics are stricter than UK, and also Ireland I think uses the Willis system not used in UK mainland.

I seem to remember in the main it works on time, the immersion heater is not in main tank but a small tank to the side, so trying to use mainland UK switches may be your problem and it is not a change over as expected.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I'm in the process of replacing my old fuse board with a Consumer Unit

Won't you get thrown in jail for doing that in Ireland?

 

[FrodoOne]

Won't you get thrown in jail for doing that in Ireland?

Interesting comment - from that and other perspectives.