Boiler ignition transformer

[GrahamWright]

Recently, I suspected this had died due to non ignition of the oil jet.

I found electrical continuity on the high voltage side but not the 230v input side.

Is this normal? Is there a blocking capacitor in the circuit?

 

[foxhole]

Try heating forum

 

[GrahamWright]

I looked for "heating" but not for "plumbing"!

 

[Burnerman]

There should be resistance readings on both the primary and secondary side.....much higher on the secondary side.
If you are experienced, you can see if the transformer is working by removing the burner from the boiler, disconnecting the solenoid coil from the oil pump and starting up - there should be a spark across the electrodes. There's a few seconds delay before the oil would be allowed through anyway.
I wouldn't recommend this to the casual DIYer though.
There's real expertise available in the Plumbing and Heating section.
John

 

[GrahamWright]

There should be resistance readings on both the primary and secondary side.....much higher on the secondary side.
If you are experienced, you can see if the transformer is working by removing the burner from the boiler, disconnecting the solenoid coil from the oil pump and starting up - there should be a spark across the electrodes. There's a few seconds delay before the oil would be allowed through anyway.
I wouldn't recommend this to the casual DIYer though.
There's real expertise available in the Plumbing and Heating section.
John

No resistance on the primary (well, infinite to be correct!)

Same true of the replacement. However, there is a nice fat spark from the original when removed from the burner. The problem came down to cracked insulators on the electrodes. Mad at myself for not being more persistent with the diagnosis. (I am an engineer).

The solenoid valve is un-pluggable so easy to test in situ.

I'll check the primary again - I'm intrigued.

Thanks for the response.