Immersion element replacement

Phil.x

I replaced my electric element today and went exactly with the instructions included, no boss white, no ptfe, only clean flange and fiber washer.

No leaks, ran the hot tap until cold, checked tightness with spanner, heated tank up for 1hr, no leaks.

Question, why do most videos and forums suggest all sorts of silicone, ptfe, boss, hair, etc.

10-10-20

The fiber washer expands on contact with water and is known to widthstand high temps, while other products can degrade/break-down over time. They just like living on the bleeding edge.

The Continental Op

I'm not a plumber but I use ptfe tape not so much to make a watertight seal but to make it easier to change next time it goes.

The problem is there isn't much material thickness for the tank for the flange to attach to. So you can apply too much force if the element is too tight and damage the tank.

burkeyb01

hi i just installed my element but it only takes 3 wires and my old one took 4 wires brown black blue and green/yellow so the black one is for sink so i removed this but its not working the old element was wired differnt and im in ireland and bought from screwfix 27" element when i took out the old one it was also a 27" plus 14" but the the termist had the blue nutreal wire in the old one and the new version has the live wire in the termast connect to it i had to change the switch last week as the old one was around 40 years old with a new 20A fuse double switch i wired it up the same as the old one but

i wired up the element to the instructions i got with it it dont work i waited for a hour half still no hot water any sugestions ?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120420032#Comment_120420032

Easiest thing to do and probably the safest is if you go and buy a switch for a single immersion then you only have live and neutral in, live and neutral out, plus your earth.

burkeyb01

https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/624525/260955.png

this was like my old immersion wireing but the new one is single so i removed one wire

John.G

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120420032#Comment_120420032

Can you post a photo of the immersion top with cap removed.

I have a 51 year old, 3 wire, twin immersion but the bath/sink c/o switch is in immersion head!!.

Santon Immersion Nov 1972.jpg

Immersion Wiring Schematic.jpg

Sleeper12

A little off topic but a replacement dual element is running at €200 to €250 supplied & fitted Dublin at the moment. It's not that long ago that you would get a cylinder & element replaced for this amount. Trades are clawing back the money they lost in the recession. Topping up their pension etc

rightjob!

😂 you might have gotten a cylinder changed 30 years ago for that amount.

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120426284#Comment_120426284

Out of curiosity, is your immersion unearthed. You said 3 wire?

Sleeper12

I think it's a single immersion rather than a dual. I'm guessing there is no black live cable

John.G

Mine is earthed allright but the change over switch is mouted right on top of the immersion itself, see photo, to select sink or bath element, not very convenient but it's on the sink one for years now as I have solar thermal plus oil fired cylinder heating plus a electric shower.

burkeyb01

thank all i replaced with a single 27" element and single switch an cut off the wires i didnt need its working fine

i found the double element for 35 euro in the west of ireland

but i dont need it now

thank you all for the replies and help

ive movied to installing a bath and posted a new discssion post if you can help with that

again thank you for all the help