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Heating Element Blown... Again?!?!

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  • level3ninja
    commented on 's reply
    Is the circuit breaker just a circuit breaker or is it an RCBO (has a test button)? When you say trips on heating cycle is it quickly after the heating begins or after it has been heating for a while?

  • Dimal
    replied
    Works out to be exactly 1.8KW at that resistance. Might be worth trying to identify other items connected to the same circuit and sum their respective rated loads. This will give you an idea if it's possible to overload this particular circuit. Would be a good idea then to ask a licensed sparky to shift some of the load to another circuit to reduce future episodes of nuisance tripping.

    Mal.

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  • Dayboro
    replied
    Hi guys, Adam how did you test that your element was at fault ?
    My machine keeps tripping the 15amp circuit breaker on heating cycle so I’m assuming it’s my element although it could be other things also. 🤷‍♂️
    It registers 32ohms across the two terminals which seems high from what if found on the net for heating elements in general... mine is an 1800w element.
    I’d like to be sure it’s the element for sure before I drop a couple of hundred on a replacement.
    Also if the element proved to be the problem, where can you purchase a replacement ?
    the couple of coffee machine spares companies I have bought all the other parts for it from don’t have the element.
    mom in Brisbane, Australia.

    Many thanks

    Leave a comment:


  • prh
    commented on 's reply
    Well, one might expect that a safety valve would operate in the event of over-pressure. But in the absence of documentation, I guess you have to look at all possibilities!

  • adam4jc
    commented on 's reply
    Thanks prh. If a switch or relay was stuck in closed position, wouldnt this have led to an over pressure event in the boiler and the boiler venting via the opv, rather than the element burning out?

  • adam4jc
    commented on 's reply
    Its completely covered. Plenty of clearance between the top of the element and the water level.

  • adam4jc
    commented on 's reply
    Yep Mal sure is covered

  • Javaphile
    replied
    Looking at the pics it does not appear that the heating element is in fact completely submerged in/covered with water. The element can't be only partially submerged, it needs to be completely submerged. If only partially submerged the machine will exhibit exactly the behavior you are seeing, burning out of heating elements.


    Java "Make sure it's COMPLETELY covered!" phile

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  • Dimal
    commented on 's reply
    It's a bit hard to tell from the photo, but is the element completely covered with water?

  • prh
    replied
    I'd be checking every component which, in normal operation, would control the distribution of power to the element - thermal switches, signal or power relays, etc... If something is stuck closed circuit, then the element might stressed by extended powering? Just a thought.

    But by way of illustration, I have an air conditioner which started tripping the overload circuit breaker (not the RCD). I tracked it down to a SSR which had failed in the A/C outdoor unit, but the failure was on the control side of the SSR, and the power side remained stuck in closed circuit.

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  • adam4jc
    commented on 's reply
    thanks for the thoughts. 2 elements died while living at one house and the 3rd after having moved. Does that eliminate the issue with voltage in? Thanks

  • adam4jc
    replied
    In case any doubt, I took the anti vac valve and opv off the top and took a look and a picture. Machine has not moved or been turned on since latest failure. Fill probe can be seen just touching water as it should and element is plenty submerged. Once again the element looks to be in perfect condition.

    This is such a confusing situation. Is it possible that a dodgy power switch or indicator light could mess up the current and cause a failure? Apart from the pressurestat thats the only other thing on the circuit!!

    No one has a spare sirai pressure stat that they feel like donating to the cause haha. That is, if I persist with this machine?

    Adam
    Attached Files

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  • FNQ
    replied
    Hi Adam 4jc . i feel your pain.

    I have absolutely no clue and not a one electrical bone in my body, but will add my pithy offering just for the sake of another point of view.

    As well as checking all the things in the box, are you sure the current in isn't doing weird things. I have no knowledge of what the tolerances of an espresso machine are, but what are the results of under or over voltage ( say 215 v and 245v). Best of luck.

    Leave a comment:


  • AtomicGrog
    replied
    Using my somewhat aged electrical brain and assuming that it's not just another freak failure, would be:

    1. Double checking with supplier to make sure that it is definitely a 240v and not a 110/120.
    2. Cant find any manuals/diagram for machine, wondering if it has some kind of shunt to lower the header current which has failed causing the element to overload.
    3. Checking to see if any fluids are being introduced on the external side, causing the failure through ingress.

    If all those come up fine, has to be something related to internally over-heating

    Keep digging and good luck.

    Leave a comment:


  • adam4jc
    replied
    Guess what. My 2nd replacement element died today. After just over a month in the machine. I cant believe it.

    We need to get to the bottom of this. We can't keep buying elements!

    Its really frustrating when I have 90% of a $3.5k machine that is fantastic, and a heating element that dies every couple of months.

    Leave a comment:

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