Direct unvented element

[Bogart]

In addition to the problem my daughter has with hot and cold flow rates varying wildly reported in a previous post now the bottom element has expired. Hence she is only heating about 1/3rd of tank at most and then on day rate electricity. Am I being Mr DIYer allowed to drain the tank and fit a replacement element. There will be no interference with any of the pressure valves.

 

[townfanjon]

Er , officially it is still an unvented cylinder no matter what you touch .
However , are you sure the element has gone , is it tripping the RCD ?

 

[WC1]

As above, need G3

 

[Riley]

G3 all the way

 

[Riley]

As it must be the correct element. An off the shelf one will not be in line with the manufacturers requirements

 

[quality]

You can do what you want but a professional would know what they are doing

 

[Chuck]

You can do what you want

No, he can't. This is his daughter's system, i.e. a third party owner/user. The work must be done by G3 qualified competent person.

 

[Tim S]

Like Gas Safe, the G3 qualification is there for a reason. If your in any way sceptical just take a look online at the videos showing what can go wrong!!

 

[Bogart]

Er , officially it is still an unvented cylinder no matter what you touch .
However , are you sure the element has gone , is it tripping the RCD ?

Yes definitely gone as open circuit.

 

[Bogart]

As it must be the correct element. An off the shelf one will not be in line with the manufacturers requirements

Can purchase correct element for around £40

 

[Bogart]

Have just seen one can do a G3 course with Gledhill for £90! Seems a bit of a bargain for someone without the G3 ticket.

 

[Riley]

I’m still saying it needs to be fitted by a G3 engineer so I’m out

 

[Riley]

Have just seen one can do a G3 course with Gledhill for £90! Seems a bit of a bargain for someone without the G3 ticket.

It’s ridiculous my college wouldn’t let you do the unvented ticket until you have the NVQ2

 

[Riley]

It’s ridiculous my college wouldn’t let you do the unvented ticket until you have the NVQ2

But it’s another example of safety going out the window in place of profit

 

[Chuck]

It’s ridiculous my college wouldn’t let you do the unvented ticket until you have the NVQ2

Relax, the Gledhill course has pre-requisites:

"Candidates will need to have an NVQ or equivalent craft qualification, or be working towards one; or have significant experience in either conventional heating engineering or plumbing"

I'm also pleased to see that a pass requires 100% in the assessments.

 

[Tim S]

Your original post asked whether as an unqualified DIY'er you could replace a blown immersion element on an unvented cylinder...The overwhelming response was NO and you were advised to have the work done by a G3 qualified engineer..You've confirmed the element has failed, told us how much you can buy a replacement for and the cost of doing an unvented course with Gledhill...so maybe you should do the course, get your G3 ticket, buy the part and do the job because I don't think we are likely to change our minds!!..I'm out too.

 

[Bogart]

Was only asking opinions.

 

[Welder]

Was only asking opinions.

Opinions do not matter. The law does. Fact is, you could do it and it'll be fine. You could do it and it goes wrong - not always as you may think! In that instance, not only do you have the moral implications but legal too. In law you will be fully cupable - as indeed you should be.

Take the ADVICE (not opinion), be the sensible and responsible Dad (put away your ego) you are and help your daughter get it done properly. You know it makes sense

 

[Bogart]

Have not got an ego, unlike a few in here! Asked a question and get shot down for making a few more comments.

 

[Riley]

I think more so than shooting you down we err on the side of caution. Look at it from our perspective; the first piece of advice we’d give is get a G3 in. You then follow up with I’ve tested the immersion and it’s fubar. We then follow up with get a G3 in to ensure the correct part is sourced. You then follow up with I’ve sourced the element. What else are we to think other than you’re contemplating doing it yourself. Likewise look at the other side of the coin the next unqualified person reading this may think how easy it is to do

 

[BLOD]

If you've done a resistance test on the element then you've done more than a lot of guys do.
Even still you need to be qualified (G3)to do the work, just the way it is now.