Immersion heater element RCD tripping

[Red_Stafford]

Hi all I have a customer who's immersion heater keeps tripping the RCD sound like the element is faulty.

Any ideas how to drain the tank to replace the element.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I think if you were allowed to do it, you would know.

 

[pete01]

Turn the water off and put a hose pipe on the drain on the bottom right, loosen the element before you drain the water

 

[ericmark]

sound like the element is faulty

One does not swap things like an immersion heater element on the off chance it may be faulty, you test it first, an insulation tester will quickly show if there is a fault with the immersion heater, and the RCD tester if the RCD is OK, as to removing the immersion heater heard of too many tanks ripped trying to remove, as an electrician I would get the plumber to swap it if required.

Main point my insurance would not cover me to do plumbing work. OK I may give it a try if I have the special spanner to hand, but one has to realise ones own limitations, and I am no plumber.

 

[flameport]

sound like the element is faulty.

Has this element been tested to confirm?

Could just as easily be something else, given that just in the picture provided there is an open junction box and a whole bundle of cables attached to the uninsulated pipes with cable ties.
Something has been leaking bottom right,

 

[Murdochcat]

Sons like you need to IR test the element and confirm the continuity too

What test kit have you got

 

[martygturner]

its not difficult to test... multimeter will do the job, it could be the thermostat that has gone duff and you can replace that without draining down. see https://www.mmlplumbing.co.uk/testing-an-immersion-heater/