heating trips fuse board!

[skatewing]

Guys,new poster with a bit of problem hopefully someone can answer..

Have potterton 50 boiler which has been supplying HW no problems..then yesterday was a bit chilly,so wife pushed override for the heating to come on,1st time for ages....the rads get warm then bam...trips all electrics...

Had a look last night,have been searching all day and come here for some knowledge!....i check pump this morning and removed screw from front,spindle moved freely...i checked 3 port valve of which i have 3..2 seem fine but one has no resistance at all,just floppy is this correct?...the others are labled main rads and lounge rads..pused all 3 to open position now trips with hot water on!....so ithink i have found the 'area' but dont know what to do next!.....any ideas appreciated...

cheers

 

[seco services]

you mean you have 3 of these

not these.

 

[DIYedboy]

One way to check if you've found the problem is to disconnect the wiring to the suspected valve (turn off the electric supply first and check there isn't a voltage present before starting SAFETY FIRST) then fire up the system and see whether it blows the circuit breaker, if it still trips..........you haven't found the problem!

 

[skatewing]

Sorry seco cannot see images...

but i have 3 of these..

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Motorised_Valves

 

[seco services]

Sorry seco cannot see images...

but i have 3 of these..

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Motorised_Valves[/img][/QUOTE]

and i can't see that either

 

[skatewing]

One way to check if you've found the problem is to disconnect the wiring to the suspected valve (turn off the electric supply first and check there isn't a voltage present before starting SAFETY FIRST) then fire up the system and see whether it blows the circuit breaker, if it still trips..........you haven't found the problem!

yep i was thinking of doing that..i take it i just disconnect the feed,tape it up and test>??..

 

[skatewing]

Sorry seco cannot see images...

but i have 3 of these..

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Motorised_Valves[/img][/QUOTE]

and i can't see that either

Try that..

 

[stem]

What exactly has tripped MCB? RCD? As you say "all electrics" I imagine it is the RCD (item with a test button) if so there is probably an earth fault.

It seems likely that it's the heating that has caused the trip, but if it is the RCD that protects all of the circuits, then it could be something else.

Due to the delay in tripping, first look for a slight leak that is not immediately obvious that has entered some electrical components, a motorised valve (if fitted) for example can leak into the wiring connections, as can the pump.

Otherwise, an item such as the pump, motorised valve or boiler have probably developed an earth fault. Without testing equipment this can be difficult to trace, but start with items that only operate with the central heating on. For example some systems use the pump for hot water & central heating, others only for central heating. also the central heating may have a separate motorised valve.

You've not given a lot to go on, such as wether you have motorised valves etc., and the type of boiler ie combi, etc., (Sorry! Potterton 50 doesn't mean anything to me. )

Wow ! must speed up my typing, there were no replies when I started!!

 

[skatewing]

Stem...

Indeed RCD is tripped...i have 3 motorised valves around the pump one of which doesnt seem to do anything!!...

Its a potterton suprema 50...i have had the usual pcb fault and have had a new board fitted,so no lockout problem..just this ch problem!...

 

[seco services]

if the lever on the end has no resistance its more likely jammed open.

 

[skatewing]

if the lever on the end has no resistance its more likely jammed open.

As im work at the mo and cannot confirm,could this be causing the tripping?...i take it it cannot be unjammed?

 

[seco services]

they useally don't cause a trip.
but if a micro switch is burnt out or shorted then yes.

they can be freed depening on how jammed it is.

 

[JohnD]

An RCD tripping when CH is turned on is often the result of water dripping onto an electrical part.

Culprits are most often the pump or inside the boiler. You might be able to see traces of a leak or hear dripping.

 

[davebgas]

What about the programmer? Ch mode on that could be shot

 

[doitall]

Sorry seco cannot see images...

but i have 3 of these..

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Motorised_Valves[/QUOTE]

How the hell does that work.

Can we have a pic showing the valves and pump.