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Thermostat seems to be tripping the electrics

13 replies

Authenticcelestialmusic · 25/02/2022 15:19

If the thermostat is set at 16 (below 20 it appears) it seems to trip the electrics. I have ruled out other household items. This means the heating has to be set at 20 plus or off.

I have had a couple of electricians look at it but they were unable to find the problem. I am 99% sure it’s the thermostat as it hasn’t happened in ages as it’s been over 20 or off, then unsurprisingly I set it at 16 and off go the electrics.

Has anyone got any suggestions (other than get a third electrician out - which I will do)? Has anyone experienced this before?

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Authenticcelestialmusic · 25/02/2022 15:22

I am guessing it’s the thermostat switching the boiler on or off that’s causing it. I have a separate boiler and immersion header with header tank, if that helps?

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Authenticcelestialmusic · 27/02/2022 12:45

Just bumping this to see if anyone has any ideas?

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Daftasabroom · 27/02/2022 12:52

Which thermostat?

Daftasabroom · 27/02/2022 12:53

Also which circuit breaker?

PigletJohn · 27/02/2022 12:56

most unlikely

more likely it is the thing that the thermostat is connected to

I am guessing it is central heating, not air conditioning

but start by telling us what it does, what it is connected to, and posting a photo

when you say "trip the electrics" what do you mean? One circuit? Or the whole house?

Please post photos of the consumer unit with the flap open, and a close-up of the thing that trips

Authenticcelestialmusic · 02/03/2022 22:39

@pigletjohn @daftasabroom - Sorry only just come back to check.

It’s the British Gas rs2 thermostat on the wall. It is wired in. It has been there for many years. I cannot think when it started tripping it hasn’t always done it.
If I have it at 20 degrees it is fine. If I put it at 16 or lower it will definitely trip overnight. It takes out all items in its circuit, which I think is the half the downstairs plug sockets (not the lights). So annoyingly the fridge freezer!

We thought for ages we must be imagining it. We rarely have the heating below 20. But every single time it’s below 20 it trips.

It feels like the action of it turning off because the temperature is reached causes the trip. The thermostat is in my hall.

I have added a picture of a British Gas rs2. I found this pic on line but it’s the same as mine.

The fuse board is in the garage. So I will photograph tomorrow. I had a new one put in about 10 years ago. Only the one circuit trips.

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Authenticcelestialmusic · 02/03/2022 22:40

Reposted the picture as doesn’t appear to have appeared.

Thermostat seems to be tripping the electrics
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PigletJohn · 03/03/2022 00:55

I know the one you mean. It's actually a simple Drayton stat that BG sold with their own brand name added. There is pretty well nothing in it to go wrong, but, if you want, you can swap it for a new one at minimal cost.

Turn off the power supply to the boiler first.

there should be two tiny screws on the bottom edge that you slacken off, and two little plastic barbs that you push in with a small flat screwdriver, then the cover hinges out, pulling the bottom away from the wall, then lifts off. I think there is a fixing screw under the knob.

there is a faint chance of a water leak or pest causing a problem inside, and it would be useful to post a pic of the wiring in case there is an apparent error. If the "cooling" terminal is used you can disconnect it.

if the cover is stuck in place with paint or wallpaper, you can cut or break the seal. I'd probably use the tip of a penknife, but be sure to turn off the power first.

The current Drayton will probably swap straight in, but please observe and photograph all the terminals, and the colours of wires in each, before disconnecting anything. There is a faint chance of a wiring error, though I think the problem is more likely inside your boiler. The simplest and cheapest manual stat will be fine, and has next to nothing to go wrong. Drayton is a very sound make.

You will need a small and a very small electrician's screwdriver, and preferably a Multimeter which you can buy for around £10. Do not trust a neon screwdriver or non-contact tester.

You can get a thermostat version with a little indicator light that shows when the heating is powered if you want. IMO it's quite handy.

More sophisticated electronic thermostats are available, but don't buy one until you have found and cured the fault causing trips.

PigletJohn · 03/03/2022 02:25

On further consideration I think a probable cause is this:

Earth leakage faults are overwhelming found in watery appliances.

the boiler, pipes, pump and motor valve are full of water.

the boiler, pump and motor valve also contain electrical parts.

If there is a small leak, water may drip out.

If the boiler, pipes and other parts are warm or hot, the water may evaporate away faster than it drips, thus they stay dry

but if the parts are cold (as may happen if the thermostat is turned down) the water may not evaporate away, and may accumulate sufficiently to cause electrical leakage.

If this is so, then the cure will be to find and rectify the leak.

You can look at the pump and motor valve yourself. Leaks will show as a whitish crust of limescale, or a brownish crust of chemicals, or green stains around copper pipes, or possibly stains on the floor or other parts. The leak might be at a joint that opens up when the parts are contracting, as would happen when the heating first goes off.

if you find marks and clean them off with a nylon scourer and cotton rag, you will easily see if new fresh marks appear.

You might be able to see marks around or under the boiler, but if inside it, you would need a boiler engineer to open it up. For some reason, some boiler manufacturers like to put the circuit board and connectors at the bottom of the boiler, so any leaks will drip on them.

Leaks from pipes concealed under the floor may show as brown marks on the ceiling below.

Does your boiler have a pressure gauge?

Authenticcelestialmusic · 03/03/2022 08:36

The boiler is old, no pressure gauge.
The consumer unit is pretty new (7/8 years maybe).
I have an airing cupboard with a water tank. The pump (I think that’s what it’s called) was replaced about 10 years ago. The timer was replaced at about the same time.

Thermostat seems to be tripping the electrics
Thermostat seems to be tripping the electrics
Thermostat seems to be tripping the electrics
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Authenticcelestialmusic · 03/03/2022 08:41

Thank you for replying.

I haven’t noticed any drips anywhere. The boiler is in the garage and no wetness on the floor. Ceilings all okay too. Checked water tank and again No sign of water. So maybe inside the boiler.

I’m having a new radiator put in next month so maybe he can check inside the boiler then.

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PigletJohn · 03/03/2022 12:42

Which breaker trips?

What is printed on it?

tanstaafl · 03/03/2022 13:09

Could it be something broken and loose in the thermostat which when the dial is turned to 16 creates a short?

If you turn the circuit off, turn the thermostat to its lowest setting, can you turn the circuit on or does it immediately trip again?

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