Repeated power cuts destroyed my boiler

Krakkkers

Try ebay for spares

Grizzlebeard

I also live in Kent and often have brief power cuts (Often weather related). Last Tuesday and Yesterday we had some powerful lightning strikes which certainly surged my supply. This time my Router, phone and computer survived, although the computer issued a loud crack through it's speakers before everything rebooted. Thunder timing delay suggests it might have been half a mile away or so. Previously I have had a modem fail with a burned out circuit board during a storm. I think it very likely that a lightning strike (which might be miles away) caused a damaging spike. Older electrical equipment tends to be quite tough, but still fails as it has less sophisticated suppression circuitry and age-weakened components (Capacitors).

Damaging lightning surge spikes can happen in any overhead cable - copper phone or electricity supply.

Energy companies unlikely to accept any responsibility for this.

Mstty

Grizzlebeard said:

I also live in Kent and often have brief power cuts (Often weather related). Last Tuesday and Yesterday we had some powerful lightning strikes which certainly surged my supply. This time my Router, phone and computer survived, although the computer issued a loud crack through it's speakers before everything rebooted. Thunder timing delay suggests it might have been half a mile away or so. Previously I have had a modem fail with a burned out circuit board during a storm. I think it very likely that a lightning strike (which might be miles away) caused a damaging spike. Older electrical equipment tends to be quite tough, but still fails as it has less sophisticated suppression circuitry and age-weakened components (Capacitors).

Damaging lightning surge spikes can happen in any overhead cable - copper phone or electricity supply.

Energy companies unlikely to accept any responsibility for this.

Of course knowing that thunder and lightning are on their way from childhood we unplugged expensive electrical appliances.

Maybe that's not a thing now?

SAC2334

SukhL said:

Where I live in Kent, the electricity board has issues keeping continual supply of electricity to the area.

 Long story short, the latest cut (of many!) has resulted in the motherboard of my boiler being destroyed which means my boiler isn’t functioning properly. What makes matters worse is that my boiler has been discontinued and I’m unable to get parts to repair it. 

What are my rights?

If any of your neighbours have suffered any failures of electric items at the same time you have an excellent chance.
Power surges do happen and as meter reader for 20 years I came across a few big surges which knocked out the electronics in meters  resulting in a blank screens on digital meters  which stayed blank once the power was restored  . I did nt find out if any appliances also suffered .
I had it explained to me by a DNO man who dealt with these surges why they affected every third house in that particular area but was a bit over my head ! 
Worth asking around a few neighbours if their TV s etc had packed in suddenly . 

Grizzlebeard

SAC2334 said:

...
I had it explained to me by a DNO man who dealt with these surges why they affected every third house in that particular area but was a bit over my head ! ...

3 phase supply, only 1 phase affected = every third house I guess.

SAC2334

Grizzlebeard said:

SAC2334 said:

...
I had it explained to me by a DNO man who dealt with these surges why they affected every third house in that particular area but was a bit over my head ! ...

3 phase supply, only 1 phase affected = every third house I guess.

Yes, that was it , and it was true as every third house in a small area had a blown meter and probably lots  of other electronics in properties. Some utilty service  went through a live cable in someones drive I was told .
But that is the sort of damage it does if it knocked out the OP s boiler , the  electronic digital meter gets it first along with other appleances .

pochase

But OP has not reported a blown meter or any other electronics damaged. 

And even if they ackknowledge fault they would only refund what the boiler is worth, which will be next to nothing.

Mstty

OP.never to be seen again?

Grizzlebeard

Mstty said:

Grizzlebeard said:

...  think it very likely that a lightning strike (which might be miles away) caused a damaging spike...

Of course knowing that thunder and lightning are on their way from childhood we unplugged expensive electrical appliances.

Maybe that's not a thing now?

This is very true.

Having lost a router and on a different occasion a TV (Aerial near-strike I'd guess) I regularly unplug. Tuesdays lightning spike was a first flash, "Out of the blue!"

Plugs get pulled pronto. Unfortunately being rural all my incoming cables have long overhead runs on pylons and posts and the gadget destruction happened when I was out of the house.