MCB tripping
- Thread starter Spike00
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B
Big_Spark
Spike, if the Immersion is tripping the MCB then it is likely foobar. There is no way to repair it, only replace it.
They are NOT expensive, however you will need to determine the rating of the one you have, and whether it is top or side mounted.
To be honest, when replacing a knackered Immersion element, you would be wise to replace the thermostat at the same time.
If you have the skills to replace these elements yourself, then the cost of the job will likely be about £30 for parts and an Immersion spanner as I would assume you do not have one at the moment.
If the Immersion element is on the side of the tank, remember to shut the gate valve that feeds water into the tank, then drain it by opening taps.
Ensure the power is off (we know it is already) then remove the old element and replace it..ensure you remove the old gasket and replace it with the one from the new element. Failure to do this could reault in a leak.
They are NOT expensive, however you will need to determine the rating of the one you have, and whether it is top or side mounted.
To be honest, when replacing a knackered Immersion element, you would be wise to replace the thermostat at the same time.
If you have the skills to replace these elements yourself, then the cost of the job will likely be about £30 for parts and an Immersion spanner as I would assume you do not have one at the moment.
If the Immersion element is on the side of the tank, remember to shut the gate valve that feeds water into the tank, then drain it by opening taps.
Ensure the power is off (we know it is already) then remove the old element and replace it..ensure you remove the old gasket and replace it with the one from the new element. Failure to do this could reault in a leak.
M
Millennium_Boy
Whilst you are buying a new Immersion Heater, why not buy a spare thermostat or two, at the same time, they are not too costly, and are about a fiver each. They don't last very long (the thermostats), two or three years at the most.
Couple of points.
You don't have to drain the tank completely, only enough to drop the water level below the opening where the immersion heater goes.
If you don't have/can't acquire, or in some cases cannot get to fit, an immersion spanner you may find that you can improvise with a large G clamp (traditional metal type, not the quick-release plastic jawed jobbies).
When you start to remove the old element, pay very close attention to the area of the tank around where it screws in. If, as you start to apply torque, you see that instead of the element unscrewing, the metal of the tank starts to twist, stop immediately before you rip a hole in the tank, and seek advice on the plumbing forum about how you might free it, or if not, grit your teeth and prepare to replace, or have replaced, the entire tank.
I don't know how likely the last scenario is, but I do know that it can happen.
You don't have to drain the tank completely, only enough to drop the water level below the opening where the immersion heater goes.
If you don't have/can't acquire, or in some cases cannot get to fit, an immersion spanner you may find that you can improvise with a large G clamp (traditional metal type, not the quick-release plastic jawed jobbies).
When you start to remove the old element, pay very close attention to the area of the tank around where it screws in. If, as you start to apply torque, you see that instead of the element unscrewing, the metal of the tank starts to twist, stop immediately before you rip a hole in the tank, and seek advice on the plumbing forum about how you might free it, or if not, grit your teeth and prepare to replace, or have replaced, the entire tank.
I don't know how likely the last scenario is, but I do know that it can happen.
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very wise words from ban...
I discovered my immersion was broke after the boiler had packed up and we had no hot water! Doh!
Never mind I thought, bought a replacement element and spanner...
Oh dear my spanner just bends...
So bought a tougher box type spanner see here
Still didn't budge, half a can of WD40 and twitting it with a lump himmer, and then tapping (well smacking the hell out of it!) the handle of the box spanner, it eventualy loosened!
Woohoo! hotwater again!
It's a mechanic thing, by tapping the metal part of the emmersion, you are breaking the seal between the threads (a bi-metalic reaction occurs between the two types of metal - copper and steel)
Good luck!
I discovered my immersion was broke after the boiler had packed up and we had no hot water! Doh!
Never mind I thought, bought a replacement element and spanner...
Oh dear my spanner just bends...
So bought a tougher box type spanner see here
Still didn't budge, half a can of WD40 and twitting it with a lump himmer, and then tapping (well smacking the hell out of it!) the handle of the box spanner, it eventualy loosened!
Woohoo! hotwater again!
It's a mechanic thing, by tapping the metal part of the emmersion, you are breaking the seal between the threads (a bi-metalic reaction occurs between the two types of metal - copper and steel)
Good luck!
B
breezer
you may also like to try to tighten it VERY slightly, as it is "gunged up" you only need to break the "seal" of the gunge,
if you do try a blow lamp, do empty the cupboard of EVERYTHING first
if you do try a blow lamp, do empty the cupboard of EVERYTHING first
breezer said:
And be prepared for the WD40 you've been using to catch fire....
B
Big_Spark
il78 said:I usually use a blow lamp and gently heat it up, usually works
Works everytime, unless you do what one of our Guys did without thinking.
He had an Immersion Tank with a blown element. He could not get it loose so after speaking to one of the others via his mobile went down the Blow torch route as instructed.
However he did not drain the water from the tank first, so it was a full tank that happily accepted this input of heat
After nearly half an hour and no joy he phoned Pete back, and Pete asked if he had drained the water down to a level where the heat would sit in the metal not go straight into the water!!
John's nickname since then has been Blowlamp!!
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breezers method of tightening slightly first also works with stubborn ceiling roses!!
B
Big_Spark
securespark said:
As does a VERY gentle couple of taps with side cutters
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