Immersion not working?

Shefwedfan

Just wondering what checks I can do on immersion. I turn on and no hot water


The switch etc lights up. I have tried sink/bath but neither make a difference


I have a energy monitor so I checked when I turn on immersion and nothing


No trip switch's gone or anythign. Is it just the immersion is gone now?

John.G

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Just wondering what checks I can do on immersion. I turn on and no hot water


The switch etc lights up. I have tried sink/bath but neither make a difference


I have a energy monitor so I checked when I turn on immersion and nothing


No trip switch's gone or anythign. Is it just the immersion is gone now?

Unlikely that both elements are gone, it's possibly the thermostat, just do a search above under "immersion thermostat"

Shefwedfan

John.G wrote: »

Unlikely that both elements are gone, it's possibly the thermostat, just do a search above under "immersion thermostat"

Thanks, that might be the problem.....now to get some time to investigate

Shefwedfan

Pulled out thermostat, anyway to check it is or isnt working?

Or will I just buy new one?

doolox

You will need to find out what size your existing immersion is as they vary in length and need matching length in the thermostat.

You will need to disconnect the power at the consumer unit and remove the insulation around the tank if fitted ( some people don't bother leaving the insulation on their tanks) You will find the supply cables going to a circular tin box which contains the connections to the immersion heating elements.

The thermostat is connected to the supply line and is used to turn off power when the water gets too hot, thus preventing steam ups or scalds. On the other hand using or allowing luke warm water below 55 degrees can lead to algae growth in the tank or even legionnaires bacteria which can be dangerous to human lungs.

Water needs to be hot enough to kill off bugs yet not to hot to scald people.

An electric multimeter can be used to check connections between the supply line, the thermostat and the elements, also check the supply switch as these can burn out if incomplete contact is made on switching the immersion on or off. Such switches should be switched on or off in a smart and fast manner to avoid arcing in the switch contacts.

Shefwedfan

I have it disconnected and pulled out

I checked power and it was going to everything once I turned it on, but water not heating still...

John.G

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I have it disconnected and pulled out

I checked power and it was going to everything once I turned it on, but water not heating still...

The thermostat switches between the common neutral from the bath & sink back to the switch neutral, as stated above you need a M.Meter to test it, remove the thermostat wires and insert the M.Meter probes in their place, set it on resistance and it should switch between open citcuit & zero resistance when you turn the temperature setting up & down. The thermostat does not switch the live supply.

meercat

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I have it disconnected and pulled out

I checked power and it was going to everything once I turned it on, but water not heating still...

Your high limit stat is most likely tripped. You can’t see it in photo but has a blue and brown wire going into it. It looks burnt on one side. There’s a connection block on it atm so looks like someone was at it already. Use a pen to push the button down and you should hear an audible click

Shefwedfan

meercat wrote: »

Your high limit stat is most likely tripped. You can’t see it in photo but has a blue and brown wire going into it. It looks burnt on one side. There’s a connection block on it atm so looks like someone was at it already. Use a pen to push the button down and you should hear an audible click

Thanks a million

That was exactly it, up and running again


Who says you don't learn something new everyday:p

DavyD_83

I'll try get some pictures similar to above of my own immersion later today.

All lights come on as expected, when on or timed, but there is no hot water. Same whatever way I change switches (Bath/Sink; On/Off)
I had originally thought it was the element, but as above may be unlikely that both elements would go at once and maybe it is the thermostat causing the issue...

In general, would it be a plumber or electrician to repair an immersion?
From what I can see, the issues are most likely with the electrical components, but you would probably need to drain tanks etc.
Also, I know our plumbers weren't great and seem to have added some extra switches and kit that may not have been necessary (electrician was baffled by it at the time and said they had added one thing only because they had used wrong bits from start, and they also tried to leave without installing a thermostat on the tank).

While trying to confirm above, I found this one-stop immersion repair service:
MOD SNIP: DavyD 83, rather than post a link would you please just post the price that you would like comment on.

Sorry.
Cost of €160 to replace a standard dual element.

Would you say their prices are reasonable, or are they charging over the odds due to the convenience of "immersion repair" without the plumber/electrician question?