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Immersion burned out ?

  • 05-01-2018 4:57pm
    #1
    ifconfig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 880 ✭✭✭


    Our immersion doesn't seem to be heating up.
    On Tuesday morning I awoke to the RDC trip switch tripped (immersion on timer), with wall sockets out. It's a long story but we have had a history of immersion coils burning due to hard water ( I try to stay on top by keeping our water softener filled with salt but occasionally the calcium builds up).

    Anyhow, normally the tell tale is that when I switch the immersion back on , the RDC trips again. This time there is no circuit tripping at all. However, the immersion doesn't seem to be heating up. The switch for immersion + timer is on the landing and the cylinder (300L) is in the attic. It hasn't heated up.

    I have left voice mail for plumber.
    Wouldn't a burned out immersion coil cause the circuit breaker to kick in ?
    I'm wondering if there might be something else gone, eg thermostat or some other aspect of the immersion. This is just a speculative post. Is there a physical reason why a burned out coil would fail to trip when switched back on ?


Comments

  • #2
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,378 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    AFAIK a burnt out element doesn't necessarily mean an rcd trip. As you mentioned it could be the thermostat of something else. I have heard that there are stainless steel immersions that are more resistant to hard water. Anyway you will need your plumber (or electrician) to advise you on the problem and you could ask if there is a more suitable type of immersion.

    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



  • #3
    froshtyv
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 225 ✭✭froshtyv


    A multi-meter would tell if the immersion is gone.

    Depending on the size of the immersion you should get a reading in OHMS when you put the end of each probe of the multi-meter across the prongs of the immersion.

    If you are not confident in doing this then call an electrician as there is chance you can get a shock if you do this with voltage still going to the immersion.
    It could also be the cylinder stat in the immersion. This usually breaks the neutral wire going to the immersion. If this has gone it could stop the immersion getting 230V


  • #4
    ifconfig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 880 ✭✭✭ifconfig


    froshtyv wrote: »
    A multi-meter would tell if the immersion is gone.

    Depending on the size of the immersion you should get a reading in OHMS when you put the end of each probe of the multi-meter across the prongs of the immersion.

    If you are not confident in doing this then call an electrician as there is chance you can get a shock if you do this with voltage still going to the immersion.
    It could also be the cylinder stat in the immersion. This usually breaks the neutral wire going to the immersion. If this has gone it could stop the immersion getting 230V
    Would cylinder stat going have caused the first (and only) RCD trip to occur ?
    I will definitely await plumber to look at it.


  • #5
    froshtyv
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 225 ✭✭froshtyv


    ifconfig wrote: »
    Would cylinder stat going have caused the first (and only) RCD trip to occur ?
    I will definitely await plumber to look at it.

    I couldn't see the cylinder stat causing the RCD to trip.
    It would be an earth leakage fault that would do this, the wire inside the element failing causes this.


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