Electrical inspection affected boiler?

[AMS1]

Hello

I'm not sure if this should be posted here, or in the Electrical section.

I've just inherited my parent's property which I'm in the process of doing up. There's a Baxi Combi Condensing boiler which is situated in the airing cupboard on the landing, with the fused spur switch on the wall outside the cupboard.

Today I had someone come in to check my electrics to make sure everything was up to standards (before I start decorating, carpeting etc.) The electrician was given a key and did the inspection when I was at work. He called me when he was finished to say that I don't need to rewire the house, but that the consumer unit needed updating (which I knew).

However, on getting to the house this evening I've discovered that the boiler now seems to be switched off ... the switch is still in the 'on' position but the red light on the switch is no longer lit.

Is this a common occurrence after electrical inspections? Does switching off the electricity supply cause the boiler to trip? Should the electrician have sorted it out, or do I need to contact a Gas Safe person? I'm very wary of getting involved in anything to do with gas or electricity myself.

Fortunately I'm not living in the property at the moment, but the house is freezing, and now is not the time to have no heating.

I've taken a look through the boiler's manual but can't see anything on what to do if the electrical supply fails.

 

[Agile]

The problem will be at the supply.

Possibly he left a switch at the consumer unit off.

Check they are all on.

Tony

 

[AMS1]

The problem will be at the supply.

Possibly he left a switch at the consumer unit off.

Check they are all on.

Tony

Thank you for your response. I've been back to the property this afternoon and all the switches seem to be on at the consumer unit (it's a very old one, which my electrician will be replacing shortly). Everything else is back working again, other than the boiler.

I'm clueless - I'm hoping that it's something like it needing a new fuse. I just think it's a bit of a coincidence that he's carried out this inspection and immediately afterwards the boiler loses its power.

 

[NEALDEAN]

Could have surged during his testing?
Let's hope he didn't leave it on while he carried out a insulation resistance test, this would put 500 volts through it.

Check the pcb fuse is ok. They are only small (250ma to 2 amp) so hopefully just taken this out and not damaged the pcb

Good luck

 

[AMS1]

Could have surged during his testing?
Let's hope he didn't leave it on while he carried out a insulation resistance test, this would put 500 volts through it.

Check the pcb fuse is ok. They are only small (250ma to 2 amp) so hopefully just taken this out and not damaged the pcb

Good luck

Thank you - though the 'Good luck' has got me worried

Is the pcb fuse the one that's inside the thing that looks a bit like a light switch? Does it need a special kind of fuse only available from a plumbing supplier.

Sorry for the numptyness.

 

[Agile]

If it stopped working immediately after the testing then call the electrician back ( or wait until he comes to replace the CU ).

Generally a competent boiler engineer will be able to manage any electrical supply problems.

Tony

 

[NEALDEAN]

Either way he should have made sure everything was working again before he left.
I wouldn't say it looks like a light switch ???
Do you have a manual for the boiler ?

Neal

 

[NEALDEAN]

Which Baxi it is?

 

[AMS1]

Which Baxi it is?

It's a Baxi Condensing Combi 105 HE. I've taken a look at the manual but it doesn't really seem to cover what to do if the electrical supply stops working, other than 'contact your installer'.

I had it serviced only a couple of months ago and was told everything was fine.

The thing that looks like a light switch is on the wall outside of the airing cupboard (where the boiler is housed). Usually on the on position it's lit red but it's not lit currently. At the bottom in black engraving is the word BOILER. There's also this little rectangular plate that's screwed down which I'm guessing is where the fuse goes.

I agree I thought it strange that the electrician didn't make sure the boiler wasn't working before he left.

Honestly this house renovating malarkey is proving very frustrating ... it's like a constant game of 'Two steps forward, one step back'.

 

[mcmoby69]

have a look round the kitchen, there is usually another switch to turn the other switch on upstairs.

 

[NEALDEAN]

It's all about finding the right tradesman.
The test I mentioned would also blow neon lights so it sounds like he could have done this but not isolated vulnerable items.
Is it a fused spur or just a switch ? If it's fused is the fuse ok ?

 

[AMS1]

It's all about finding the right tradesman.
The test I mentioned would also blow neon lights so it sounds like he could have done this but not isolated vulnerable items.
Is it a fused spur or just a switch ? If it's fused is the fuse ok ?

It looks like this http://www.floorwarmers.co.uk/ekmps/shops/ufhbiz/images/fused-spur-switch-mk-205-p.jpg

except it has BOILER written on instead of underfloor heating.

Unfortunately I'm not living at the property yet, and work full time, and don't have internet access at the property, so haven't had the chance to check out the fuse yet.

The replies are appreciated - thanks to everyone.

 

[FiremanT]

There really is no point in messing about testing the boiler until you have tested the fuse! If there is a neon on the wall switch, which was working, but is no longer, then clearly there is no supply TO the switch, or the fuse in the wall switch has blown.

 

[AMS1]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took trouble to give suggestions to my posted question.

My electrician came round today and installed my new consumer unit and sorted out my boiler switch (loose wiring, apparently).

This forum is so helpful - and I'll no doubt be coming here (a lot!) in the coming months as I attempt to do up my late parents' house.

 

[dcawkwell]

Possibly the electrician forgot to turn it
it off and stuffed 500volts into it during the testing.