Faulty Dimplex storage heater.

[JakeM]

I have a Dimplex XL18N series B heater that doesnt heat. So far I have checked: 1. voltage in the circuit, all elements are live. 2. resistance of the elements, virtually 0 Ohms.
Any suggestions what the problem might be?

 

[JohnD]

have you found the overheat protector?

might be a fusible link near the top.

usually goes when people pile clothes, towels or washing on top.

 

[JakeM]

Thanks JohnD, in this model I believe it's like a set of points in an old car and it looks intact. Ive pressed down the white tab to make sure. If this was the problem would that not cut the power to the elements?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I assume you're not using a neon screwdriver?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Storage radiators are very simple beasts. There's power in to check first, then you can follow the volts through the thermostat, overheat cut out to the elements.

So stick a permanent supply on the power cable and get your two-probe voltage tester and find out where the volts stop.
Some have the addition of a room thermocouple to consider.

Meerkat

• Taylortwocities
• 11 Dec 2009
• 53

Simples

 

[mwatsonxx]

resistance of the elements, virtually 0 Ohms.

The elements are open circuited, that's the problem. A 2kw element should have a resistance of about 28Ω.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The elements are open circuited, that's the problem

Huh?

Anybody who knows about storage radiators will know that there are several elements, and these are wired in parallel.
If watxx is correct then all of the elements would have to be open circuit if the heater is not working. I rather suspect that would be very unlikely, wouldn't you?

 

[EFLImpudence]

The OP says the elements are "virtually 0 Ohms".

 

[Taylortwocities]

The XL18 has three separate elements. All of them all went open circuit at the same time? I cannot believe it.

 

[EFLImpudence]

0 (zero) Ohms is not open circuit.

 

[Taylortwocities]

@JakeM
What is the resistance of the elements if you remove them from the heater?

Mind you, a zero ohms load would blow the protective device for the heater......

 

[JakeM]

Just to clarify. I removed the 3 elements to check resistance and they all read about 0.03ohms.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I'm astounded. And, with the elements removed, do you have volts at the input to the first element?

A total parallel resistance of 0.01Ω at 230V will give a fault current of 23000 amps, so I rather expect there would have been a large bang from somewhere just before the MCb or fuse on the circuit went.

 

[JakeM]

I can confirm that there's power to the elements

 

[EFLImpudence]

Just to clarify. I removed the 3 elements to check resistance and they all read about 0.03ohms.

That's extremely unlikely.

Firstly, that is virtually a dead short, and
secondly, that they are all the same.

Working, they would normally be around 1100 Ω. and failed, open circuit, ∞.