Storage heater cable burning out slowly?

[Jimmy Lau]

Hi

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post? The cable wire (in my storage heater) which connected to the charge controller keeps burning out slowly. Please check the photo attached.

Does anyone have ideas? And can be fixed easily?

Thanks

 

[oldbutnotdead]

First one- is it your storage heater or are you in rented accomodation? If rented then not your problem, call landlord.

Otherwise you need to cut out the scorched cable and reterminate with new spade crimps- most likely those connectors are ancient and have gone sloppy causing arcing or high resistance. Quick and dirty- pull the spades off, compress them with a set of pliers so they're a tight fit when you put them back on, see if the overheating goes away. If it doesn't then thermostat contacts may need flatting (to prevent arcs/high resistance)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It looks as if the thermostat is /or has been overheating too, so you would need to replace that and the cable.

 

[Jimmy Lau]

First one- is it your storage heater or are you in rented accomodation? If rented then not your problem, call landlord.

Otherwise you need to cut out the scorched cable and reterminate with new spade crimps- most likely those connectors are ancient and have gone sloppy causing arcing or high resistance. Quick and dirty- pull the spades off, compress them with a set of pliers so they're a tight fit when you put them back on, see if the overheating goes away. If it doesn't then thermostat contacts may need flatting (to prevent arcs/high resistance)

I was thinking to replace the whole fibreglass heater wire. But, I saw the bottom connection like the picture below.

I will probably need to cut it and reconnect it (as images attached). Should I get the same connector for FGS Storad Heater (I doubt I still can get the same part). Any suggestion, what connector good for heat resist?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Can't really tell what we're looking at in your 2 latest pics. Whatever has been arcing and cooking had been doing so for a while- as Harry mentioned above the thermostat has overheated, whether loose connection or dicky stat caused the overheat is hard to tell from here.
Bare metal crimps are your best bet, that cable doesn't solder well.
You need to work back from each hotspot and replace any damaged cable and components

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Old fashioned porcelain insulated connectors are heat proof. You need to replace everything which is showing any indication of being oxidised due to heat, or trim back to perfectly clean metal.

 

[Jimmy Lau]

Old fashioned porcelain insulated connectors are heat proof. You need to replace everything which is showing any indication of being oxidised due to heat, or trim back to perfectly clean metal.

Thanks

I just checked on screwfix/toolstation and I found more than one type of porcelain.

5A, 24A and 32A. May I know which will suit me?

https://www.toolstation.com/porcelain-connector/p49779
https://www.screwfix.com/p/hylec-double-pole-24a-steatite-ceramic-terminal-blocks-pack-of-5/70278
https://www.screwfix.com/p/hylec-double-pole-32a-steatite-ceramic-terminal-blocks-pack-of-5/31316

 

[Jimmy Lau]

Or should I use crimps connectors instead?

 

[flameport]

Get the 24A ceramic ones from Screwfix.

Crimps are only of use if you also have the proper crimp tool to apply them with.

 

[delmel]

The cable will be Glass insulated high temp cable and use porcelain connector, the nylon ones will probably melt again, looks like the unit is close to burning out, so def look at that, could well be the initial cause.
Hate storage heaters

 

[Jimmy Lau]

Thanks all. It works now

​

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks

I just checked on screwfix/toolstation and I found more than one type of porcelain.

5A, 24A and 32A. May I know which will suit me?

You need the smallest connector into which you can insert the cables. The current rating is only a guide. I would expect the 5A to be big enough. Aim to try to get both cable to overlap each other in the connector, so that both screws apply pressure to both cables for the best connection.

Don't use crimps. Crimps need a proper crimper and the plastic insulation is liable to melt from the heat.

 

[crystal ball]

The cable will be Glass insulated high temp cable and use porcelain connector, the nylon ones will probably melt again, looks like the unit is close to burning out, so def look at that, could well be the initial cause.
Hate storage heaters

Why is that?

 

[Jimmy Lau]

You need the smallest connector into which you can insert the cables. The current rating is only a guide. I would expect the 5A to be big enough. Aim to try to get both cable to overlap each other in the connector, so that both screws apply pressure to both cables for the best connection.

Don't use crimps. Crimps need a proper crimper and the plastic insulation is liable to melt from the heat.

Thanks. I used the 24A ceramic ones.

I tested for 2 days. It works like a charm