Immersion tripping fuse in switch board

2rs

Yesterday I turned on my immersion and the fuse in the switch board tripped.

I have not determined the exact issue yet but I am thinking along the lines that a new element for the hot water tank may be required. Before I go opening up my tank to take a look at the element, are there any other possibilities?

bren33

go get a plumber. definitely a new immersion required.

2rs

bren33 wrote: »

go get a plumber. definitely a new immersion required.

cant really afford a plumber, but I reckon I can handle this myself.

When you say 'definitely a new immersion required', do you mean the element as I suggested or is there more to it than that?

Tks, 2rs

DublinDilbert

2rs wrote: »

Yesterday I turned on my immersion and the fuse in the switch board tripped.

I have not determined the exact issue yet but I am thinking along the lines that a new element for the hot water tank may be required. Before I go opening up my tank to take a look at the element, are there any other possibilities?

What exactly tripped in your fuse board? did all the sockets go off too?

The only way to know for sure is to do a test on the insulation on the immersion element with a "megger". If the element is over 10 years old, you can be pretty sure thats it.

If your anyway handy you can change it yourself, I changed my own one a few months back. Obviously you have to be comfortable with knocking off the water and disconnecting the power etc.

One piece of advice is before you try unscrew the element, cut away the fiber washer between it and the tank with a hack saw blade, then lash in a load of WD40. Should come out fairly easy then, don't apply too much force as you might damage the cylinder.

bren33

oops...correction, the element. The same happened me a few months ago. Started the job myself but then it gets messy. The wiring at the top has been know to cause fires on older elements - so best have it fitted professionally to ensure any potential insurance claims hold up to scrutiny.

BarryM

bren33 wrote: »

oops...correction, the element. The same happened me a few months ago. Started the job myself but then it gets messy. The wiring at the top has been know to cause fires on older elements - so best have it fitted professionally to ensure any potential insurance claims hold up to scrutiny.

Yea, depends on how old, but if it dropped the fuse (which should be a separate one, if it is on the same circuit as the sockets then you have another problem!!:() it is more than likely the elements of the element have fused, causing a short. It is always possible that the wiring on the top has deteriorated and is shorting, so maybe check there first, will save a lot of bother if the problem is there. BE SURE to remove the fuse, and only try it if your SURE the immersion is on a separete circuit.

2rs

DublinDilbert wrote: »

What exactly tripped in your fuse board? did all the sockets go off too?

The switch labelled "RCD, Sockets, Heating, Immersion" tripped. All sockets in the house did go off also, but when I switched the immersion back to the off position and unplugged everything I was able to pinpoint the immersion as the problem source when I began to switch things back on.

2rs

BarryM wrote: »

Yea, depends on how old, but if it dropped the fuse (which should be a separate one, if it is on the same circuit as the sockets then you have another problem!!:() it is more than likely the elements of the element have fused, causing a short. It is always possible that the wiring on the top has deteriorated and is shorting, so maybe check there first, will save a lot of bother if the problem is there. BE SURE to remove the fuse, and only try it if your SURE the immersion is on a separete circuit.

The wiring on top still looks brand spanking new, with no apparent damage and all connections look fine. The house is only 4 1/2 years old but the area has a fairly bad lime problem. Could excessive lime on the element contribute to the fusing of the elements?

BarryM

2rs wrote: »

The wiring on top still looks brand spanking new, with no apparent damage and all connections look fine. The house is only 4 1/2 years old but the area has a fairly bad lime problem. Could excessive lime on the element contribute to the fusing of the elements?

Yep, ever seen that brit add for water softener?? You should used calgon, not joking..... we have to, about the same amount as detergent....

However, you probably have fused it due to lime. Needs a new one. It isn't too difficult, as said, but if you don't feel happy have you got a pal who is handy? The advice about cutting the fibre washer may not be needed if it is only 4.5 years, but with a the lime problem it may be a bit sticky. In principle the whole unit should unscrew from the top of the cylinder and be replaced and re-wired.

Good luck.

P.S. as said also, be careful not to damage the surround of the hole that the immersion fits into. If this isn't 'good' it will leak.

cnocbui

2rs wrote: »

The wiring on top still looks brand spanking new, with no apparent damage and all connections look fine. The house is only 4 1/2 years old but the area has a fairly bad lime problem. Could excessive lime on the element contribute to the fusing of the elements?

It is more likely you have had corrosion penetrate the element causing a short to ground, which is why the RCD tripped.

I live in a hard water area as well and have had to replace my element twice in about 3 years.

I got smart the last time and got an element with a stainless steel jacket, so hopefully it won't corrode through like the last two.

I would strongly advise hunting down a corrosion resistant element and to not just fit a standard one.

2rs

changed the element yesterday and after getting rid of a few airlocks the hot water system seems to be working alright now ... just a bit paranoid about any leaks from where I screwed in the element ... wait and see

thanks for all the input!

mrsdewinter

*bump*
I've had loads of problems with the immersion - element replaced in January, electrical panel replaced during the summer, water not heating up properly during the timed periods at night - this morning, when I put on the booster ahead of my shower, it tripped the 'plugs' circuit in my flat. It's true we have hard water around here but my question is who do I ring? A plumber or an electrician?

doolox

....I can vouch very much for WD40 and cutting out the fibre washer on old immersion units before trying to unscrew them or risk losing and having to replace the copper cylinder as well due to damage to the screw fitting while removing the old immersion.

These fittings are copper or brass and do not tolerate excessive force easily.....

Also use plenty of sealant, white boss or PTFE tape on new immersion unit while fitting it to avoid small leaks after installation.

goosey11

Hey guys I know this is an old thread. The fuse board tripped today when I turned on the immersion switch. Just wondering if I use the oil to heat the water will it trip also. It's a dual heating system. Or is the element gone as far as I can't hear the water at all. Thanks in advance

cnocbui

Heating with central heating won't trip the immersion circuit breaker.

goosey11

cnocbui wrote: »

Heating with central heating won't trip the immersion circuit breaker.

Cheers mate. I used the oil and it's working fine. Thanks for update. The oil will do me for a while until I sort the immersion out.

BarryM

You can normally install a new immersion without dismantling the whole setup.