New boiler misbehaving

Ricky_Rooney

Hi all,

Apologies in advance for the long post.

I've got a conventional Gravity fed system and I've recently had a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 24Ri Condensing Boiler fitted to replace a 12 year old Potterton Suprima. After about a week, the fuse on the isolation switch tripped, which, when replaced, was tripped a couple more times. It then seemed to settle down until I noticed that the boiler was firing when it wasn't supposed to - ie when the control panel was saying it was scheduled to be off, the heating was firing regardless.

I called the plumber that fitted the new boiler and explained the problem and he came round with an electrician friend of his to see if they could identify the issue. After ascertaining that the wiring on the boiler looked ok it was determined that the issue was with the Control Panel (fitted same time as the original boiler - 12 years ago). This seemed logical so I bought a new control panel and had it fitted by my Brother-in-law, who is an electrician, 3 days ago.

However, 20 minutes or so after the panel was fitted the fuse in the isolation switch tripped again. I replaced it again and it hasn't tripped since. Also, I'm still not sure the boiler is "listening" to what the control panel is telling it ie. it fired earlier today when it wasn't due to.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing the boiler to fire at these times because, frankly, I'm flummoxed!!

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this!

moneysavingplumber

Where is the boiler situated? If it is in a garage or loft it may be in-built frost protection, not sure if that boiler has it or not, regular boilers usually rely on an external frost stat and pipe stat, this would overide the programmer.

With regards the fuse it could be shorting anywhere, a weep somewhere onto a component, a fault on electrical part or even nicked insulation somewhere on the wiring.

Canucklehead

Hi

If you are blowing fuses it might be external controls ie; pump,motorised valve/s ,cyl stat etc.
Some electricians do not 'do' heating electrics ,but I think thats where you need to look. Are there any faults coming up on the boiler diagnostics?

Corgi Guy.

Ricky_Rooney

It's positioned in the kitchen so don't think frost protection would need to kick in

moneysavingplumber

Agree with Canucklehead, electricians that I trust to wire up heating systems properly have always been few and far between, especially on certain boilers which have gravity DHW option (when you could still fit them). Call the manufacturer if you're unable to get any joy and explain to them the installer has already been out to check, a service engineer will be able to check the boilers internal wiring also.

Ricky_Rooney

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi

If you are blowing fuses it might be external controls ie; pump,motorised valve/s ,cyl stat etc.
Some electricians do not 'do' heating electrics ,but I think thats where you need to look. Are there any faults coming up on the boiler diagnostics?

Corgi Guy.

As far as I'm aware no diagnostics have been run on the boiler.

Sorry for the daft question, but who should I ask to run them - Corgi plumber or Electrician?

So far I've held off getting anyone out from Worcester as it's not covered under the guarantee unless there's a problem with the boiler itself. Do you think this should this be my next port of call or am I better off getting another electrician out?

Ricky_Rooney

moneysavingplumber wrote: »

Agree with Canucklehead, electricians that I trust to wire up heating systems properly have always been few and far between, especially on certain boilers which have gravity DHW option (when you could still fit them). Call the manufacturer if you're unable to get any joy and explain to them the installer has already been out to check, a service engineer will be able to check the boilers internal wiring also.

Great, thanks to you both for your advice. :beer:

Ricky_Rooney

Just one more question ... the external controls were already in place and were working ok before the new boiler was put in. Can a new boiler installation trigger faults to occur in these other controls??

Also, the plumber wired the new boiler in place not a specific electrician - should someone else have performed the connection?

Cheers

Canucklehead

Hi

Anythings possible with electrics.!
Your installer should be able to check the boiler. If you have the installation manual then have a look through yourself (or find it online)
If your installer can self cert his elecrics then that's ok (check him out on the Corgi site)
otherwise an electrician should do it.
Corgi Guy.

mike_the_bike_2

Doesn't whether a sparky is needed fall under the whether its a "new" installation as opposed "replace"?

I appreciate that doesn't help the poster..My own advice is don't get Worcester involved yourself.

You employed this chap to put a new boiler in for you and therefore your contract is with him to provide something fit for purpose and at the momen't it is not so its for him to get it sorted

baldelectrician

It may be a problem with a motorised valve, has there been any leask?

Get an electrician in (who knows about central heating electrics) to check it out.