Immersion Heater problem.

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Immersion Heater problem.

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Sparky88

I have just connected up a large immersion heater. A plumber installed this on a house refurb. ( who the owner can't get hold of right now)

The immersion is controlled by a horstmann eco7 with a boost (top element) and economy 7 timer(bottom element)

At first the home owners couldn't get any hot water whilst using the boost, it got slightly warm but nowhere near enough. Anyway I contacted manufacturer and they told me to turn the thermostat on immersion up to 4. This worked fine and the water was very hot. I've also set it to work on Eco 7 tonight.

Anyhow just had a phone all from homeowner saying the immersion was leaking from a pipe and making a hissing sound. The customer describes the leaking from a plastic black joint which is open at the front and back. Is this some sort of regulator??

any ideas why it's leaking from said place? Immersion is brand new.
 
Tell the customer to turn off the immersions and then to call a g3 qualified plumber. A safety device has operated.
 
As above, somethings not right with the cylinder, call the appropriately qualified engineer :)
 
IDCHAPPY said:
As above, somethings not right with the cylinder, call the appropriately qualified engineer :)
Click to expand...

When I spoke to the chap who fitted it today regarding temperature, he was very vague and basically said its nothing to do with me the element heats it up. As the spark I'm getting 230v to cylinder when boost is on so for me it's basically job done.

I'm just worried that this is somehow going to get flipped on me... Does this sound like a plumbing fault or electrical fault. The only thing I can think off is the stats on too high...

Anyway I've just been and isolated circuit for piece of mind.
 
I've now identified the leak coming from the "tundish". I'm presuming this is to do with the pressure in the tank.

The more I read about the G3 qualification the more things add up. Today, under conversation with the installer he mentioned that he can't say to much because "they" (whoever "they" are) want him to do a course to do this type of work. I didn't really take it as anything at first but now I've looked into it, this guy isn't qualified to instal this type of immersion.

I would be grateful if someone could confirm if this is an electrical problem or a design problem?
 
Quite probably an installation problems. Tell your custard immediately.

He needs an accredited enginer. And don't piddle with it yourself.
 
croppie said:
Quite probably an installation problems. Tell your custard immediately.

He needs an accredited enginer. And don't piddle with it yourself.
Click to expand...

I'm not planning on touching anything, I haven't a clue with anything water. I'm a spark. Never had this problem before. It's usually just a simple element connection for me and I'm done.
 
As long as you connected it according to the manufacturers instructions it's not your fault.

I'd be wanting words with the dangerous fool who plumbed it in though.
 
because its a simple connection, its another reason for plumbers and sparks to keep their distance imho. If as a spark you are connecting something up that may turn into a small bomb, dont you think you need more the a bit of electrical knowledge as you turning it on could result in a big bang. It may not be your fault it went bang but you were the one that applied power to a system that could cause it to explode, do you want to be the one responsible for a house loosing its roof? Something the sparky trade my like to consider when they get their screwdrivers out :)
 
croppie said:
As long as you connected it according to the manufacturers instructions it's not your fault.

I'd be wanting words with the dangerous fool who plumbed it in though.
Click to expand...

if the plumber spilt some fuel and the sparky applied a match who is to blame for a fire then John? Anyone working on unvented needs to be G3, sparkies included. seeing as they are working on applying the power which is also connected to the safety devices, what if they bypass stats etc, how do they know its safe to use when they turn it all on if they arent qualified.
 
I don't disagree Jon. Strictly speaking the sparkie should've stopped at the spur. But then G3 isn't covered at sparkie school. I blame the plumber for putting the guy in this position in the first place. He knows he's not competent to do this, the sparkie didn't but does now.

And yes, I agree ignorance is no defence but we sometimes need to look at both sides of the situation.
 
I'm just a happy cynic and happy to point out how those touching things can get in the pooh :)
 
Danger high voltage mr moderator CHK
Sparky88 said:
I have just connected up a large immersion heater. A plumber installed this on a house refurb. ( who the owner can't get hold of right now)

The immersion is controlled by a horstmann eco7 with a boost (top element) and economy 7 timer(bottom element)

At first the home owners couldn't get any hot water whilst using the boost, it got slightly warm but nowhere near enough. Anyway I contacted manufacturer and they told me to turn the thermostat on immersion up to 4. This worked fine and the water was very hot. I've also set it to work on Eco 7 tonight.

Anyhow just had a phone all from homeowner saying the immersion was leaking from a pipe and making a hissing sound. The customer describes the leaking from a plastic black joint which is open at the front and back. Is this some sort of regulator??

any ideas why it's leaking from said place? Immersion is brand new.
Click to expand...
 
Sometimes we need to say "You weren't to know. Don't do it again."

The perils of G3 aren't as widely publicised as gas or electrics .
 
croppies being far too nice tonight, somebody get him called out :) I have his mobile no if you need it :smartass2:

Bug.er, he has my mobile number as well, when I think about it :(
 
Last edited by a moderator:
33kv and you need to insulate the insulators 11kv triplex cable vaporised the teeth on a 600bucket on a 330! That's about 50mm thick hardened steel gone in a nano second
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ermintrude said:
33kv and you need to insulate the insulators 11kv triplex cable vaporised the teeth on a 600bucket on a 330! That's about 50mm thick hardened steel gone in a nano second
Click to expand...

bet there was a lot of vapour in the 330 cab :)
 
Was an angry driver as banks man was having a chat. Was when I worked for Jarvis, I was asleep in office recovering from hangover, when section manager came in..... I thought it was a wind up and told him to F off. As I was asleep.

Thankfully I had done all correctly and safe systems of work were in place.

During investigation ( Jarvis always did) turns our banks mans CSCS exams highlighted that he needed further training on avoidance of below ground services..... Couldn't have written it.
 
Just a quick update:


I've been to property and identified that I have wired the Immersion correctly.
It is a direct unvented cylinder. So wiring is correct.


however the plumber has told the customer that it "should" be leaking from the tundish. He's not stupid and realises this is not true.


I've told him that the guy needs to be a G3 qualified plumber and should provide him with some sort of certification to prove it has been installed competently. I'm not normally one for putting people in the crap but this time I've had no choice as I've only done my job and I don't want any come backs on myself.


the circuit is isolated and will be until he can prove it is working correctly.


cheers Sparky88
 
Poorly calibrated TPRV ? I think they are supposed to open at high 90's but I had one on a UV Gold unvented a while ago that starting lifting around 68. Made by Reliance Water. Never known anything be faulty from them.
 
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