A leston for all sparkies and plumbers about an immersion.

[Paul Barker]

Went to a "no hot water" scenario. Immersion stat seemed to be temperamental when we tested it, resistance of element was 20 ohms, close enough, so we changed the stat turned on, heard the sound of a kettle boileing and trotted off back home 50 miles away, glad we hadn't had to drain down (11" immersion in the bottom).

On arrival at home, "it's still not geting warm".

Back we go but this time with full Megger mft on board. IR test on coil to ground totally failed 0 where I like to see >299mohm.

Out it came, on inspection the element was intact so showed a normalish resistance reading but tube was split, but it didn't blow a fuse due to the scale on the tube preventing direct route to ground, water was the conductor.

Just goes to show wworth waiting half an hour for actual heat in water, or doing IR test if you have the equipment.

Customer bye now entirely satisfied that we are complete cowboys, and unable to be reassured that the water will now heat up, so we had to hold his hand for a further 1/2 hour. Unlikely to get any recommendations from that quater.

 

[ScottishGasMan]

whats an IR test?

has problem with electrics the other day on a job, me and a spark turned up for 2 faults at same time in kitchen, blr loosing pressure instantly, and the electrics in the kitchen going funny.

Long Long Story short, turned out under the floor the 2 CH Flow Return Pipes Were sicored together with the main wire coming into the kitchen inbetween, the wire had eventualy wore down to metal and shorted on to the CH pipe with no earth bonding on it, rads went live for over a minute at a time before fuse blew, and cust kept replacing fuse wire all day to get his dishwashing done, eventualy the wire arced and melted a hole in the side of the pipe and burst it!

 

[Gasguru]

Insulation Resistance.

 

[Softus]

...is futile (when the customer is that stupid)?

 

[Paul Barker]

Can't remember where it was now, but I saw a good one the other day, not only was the feed for the boiler running with the flow or return, not sure which, but it was taped to it for neatness. Might have been at a friend's housem where you kind of have to switch off 'cause if you do point it out you've earned yourself a job for no money.

A habit I have deveolped over the years is to not volunteer myself for freebies, we get enough put upon us as it is. Pointing things out is a sure way of getting a freebie.

Of course if a gas fire is spilling or some other ID situation were occuring I would deal with the situation professionally. That's different.