M
Marco
Hi, Hope someone can help please as this is my first immersion job!
I was caled to a relatives house who wants to use immersion heater only for heating water in summer (located in bedroom). However water was overheating and now immersion has now 'blown'. No massive emergancy as they are happy to use bolier to heat water for now.
On arrival I stripped took off the immersion heater cover, but the cables were burnt out to the thermostat and the insulation on the (1.5mm?) 3 core cable and to supplimentary bonding earth looked pretty heat damaged as well. I've replaced the thermostat and cable, initially to see if it is only that what was damaged, but have not made the final connection as I was a bit worried abou the old surrounding electrics etc.
Here's the first question: I asked a the plumbers merchants for heat resistent 2.5mm 3 core cable, but he reakoned 1.5mm heat resistant is ok, which I've fitted for now - but not connected to switch! Is he right, or should I be replacing with 2.5mm heat resistant?
Secondly, all the books say to use a fused double pole 20amp isolating switch near the tank. Currently there is an old unfused switch near the tank (although in decent condition) used to switch the immersion on and off, there is another fused switch downstairs (fuse currently removed!). As this is a replacement of a broken item, is it ok to wire into the old switch next to the tank? Even if so, presumably it would be better to replace this, but relative is keen to keep price down!?
Finally, I was going to replace the whole immersion at first, however, it is pretty well corroded in at the top, and despite soaking with WD40, it doesn't want to move! I've not given it to much welly as I hear it is very easy to buckle the copper tanks! Hence trying to replace only the thermostat for now. Has anyone got any top tips to remove the immersion element safely please?
Any help gratefully received!
I was caled to a relatives house who wants to use immersion heater only for heating water in summer (located in bedroom). However water was overheating and now immersion has now 'blown'. No massive emergancy as they are happy to use bolier to heat water for now.
On arrival I stripped took off the immersion heater cover, but the cables were burnt out to the thermostat and the insulation on the (1.5mm?) 3 core cable and to supplimentary bonding earth looked pretty heat damaged as well. I've replaced the thermostat and cable, initially to see if it is only that what was damaged, but have not made the final connection as I was a bit worried abou the old surrounding electrics etc.
Here's the first question: I asked a the plumbers merchants for heat resistent 2.5mm 3 core cable, but he reakoned 1.5mm heat resistant is ok, which I've fitted for now - but not connected to switch! Is he right, or should I be replacing with 2.5mm heat resistant?
Secondly, all the books say to use a fused double pole 20amp isolating switch near the tank. Currently there is an old unfused switch near the tank (although in decent condition) used to switch the immersion on and off, there is another fused switch downstairs (fuse currently removed!). As this is a replacement of a broken item, is it ok to wire into the old switch next to the tank? Even if so, presumably it would be better to replace this, but relative is keen to keep price down!?
Finally, I was going to replace the whole immersion at first, however, it is pretty well corroded in at the top, and despite soaking with WD40, it doesn't want to move! I've not given it to much welly as I hear it is very easy to buckle the copper tanks! Hence trying to replace only the thermostat for now. Has anyone got any top tips to remove the immersion element safely please?
Any help gratefully received!
