Dimplex Quantum storage heaters - I’m tearing my hair out

[tibs69]

I had Dimplex quantum storage heaters fitted with new 20amp off peak circuits X 4 and from day one there was a problem on an adhoc basis the storage heaters will trip out when it switches from peak to off peak their circuit 16 amp RCD breaker this doesn’t happen all the time generally they go together. But not always it can be just one that goes the circuitry has been checked and tested by a second electricians company and cleared fine. And octopus have just changed the smart meter after. A year of rangling but it is still tripping. The next option is to get Dimplex to come and check the units to see if there are any faults this really bugs me because for each unit they don’t find and a fault if that’s the case they charge £180 so there warranty really is questionable . One thing I failed to mention was when they tripped from the outset one unit was worse than the others this ended up with Dimplex replacing all the elements in that heater luckily the couldn’t get to the breaker board that day because the electrician had been given three correct 16amp rcd 230v breakers and one ten amp so that was the reason it tripped every time and he ordered another of the same 16amp but it looks different even though it’s got the same model number and that one says 240v not 230 v like the others I don’t use this heater very often. But when I do it never trips . When octopus replaced the meter they said that the supply coming into the property was 241v could that explain the other three tripping Adhoc for the ones with breakers showing 230v but the one showing 240v doesn’t trip I hope I’ve explained it well enough to make sense I just can’t afford to keeping pouring money into it - I also read on another post a while ago that 16amp rcd breakers are insufficient for Dimplex quantum storage heaters one sits on 73-% of the power so should be ok and the other three are way within an thoughts much appreciated

 

[Murdochcat]

What ratings are the Dimplex units? And are they dual supply or single supply?

241 v shouldn’t be an issue

 

[tibs69]

they are in a dual supply peak and off peak they are four different values

 

[flameport]

s the storage heaters will trip out when it switches from peak to off peak

Please add photos of the other consumer unit(s), the meter and any other equipment in that area.

 

[tibs69]

Hi thanks for your message please see attached

 

[Murdochcat]

What actually trips?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I had Dimplex quantum storage heaters fitted with new 20amp off peak circuits X 4 and from day one there was a problem on an adhoc basis the storage heaters will trip out when it switches from peak to off peak their circuit 16 amp RCD breaker this doesn’t happen all the time generally they go together.

If the circuits are wired in 2.5mm, replace the 16amp MCB's with 20amp MCB's. The MCB is to protect the fixed installation, the cables from overload, versus the appliance, which should look after itself.

 

[tibs69]

Many thanks that’s incredibly does it make any difference as to whether the circuit breakers say 230 or 240 volt thanks again.

 

[tibs69]

It’s the 16amp rcd breakers that trip some of the time when it switches from peak to off peak

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It’s the 16amp rcd breakers that trip some of the time when it switches from peak to off peak

The 'some of the time', suggests the heaters are drawing slightly more current when first powered up - change the 16amp to 20amp, and they will cope with the initial surge.

If you don't want a solution, then please just ignore!

 

[flameport]

Hi thanks for your message please see attached

From those, the meter is switching the off peak supply, and that Niglon unit supplies the off peak circuits only.
The fact they are 16A and some are 230/240 is of no relevance, the maximum load of Quantum heaters is 3300W, or about 14 amps.

The problem will be someone has mixed up a neutral somewhere either in that Niglon unit or in the plastic Wylex box below which presumably has the day circuits in it and the off peak for the water heater.
Less likely but also possible is that they have swapped the neutrals in the Quantum heaters themselves, but that would mean that have made the same mistake in all of them - unless they have physically joined the neutrals inside one of the heaters.

 

[tibs69]

Thanks Harry appreciated And will give serious consideration I have to be guided and won’t be doing the work myself , thanks flameport so god that sounds complicated I am guessing it’s likely the wylex box as the other has been checked several times , so if that’s the case would that explain why they sometimes trip and other occasions. They don’t sorry just trying to get my head round the possibilities

 

[ericmark]

I would start by measuring the leakage,

it is likely as @flameport says that a neutral is the problem, be it being swapped, or the load raising the voltage to earth on the neutral.

I am not sure if the RCBO, MCB, or RCD is tripping, I assume the RCBO you can see a test button on them. I would have expected an electrician to test, and can't really would out a fault which an electrician will not find.

 

[tibs69]

Thanks well two sets of electricians have he checked the four new circuits all the connections used meters etc and all deemed fine- I’m lost

 

[tibs69]

Sorry ericmark I misread you text I just wish I had never had the bloody things out in never mind