word of warning

[Dronfieldbrewer]

Hi all,

for all those using value kettle elements. I dismantled 2 tesco kettles. In the instructions there are 2 wires that you join together. I used electrical tape after shortening it down to a neat loop.

Now that I am insulating the HLT and boiler, I have noticed that these wires get bloody hot, not just from the heat from the elements but properly hot, the lefthand element wire has now burned through the electical tape and put a scortch mark in the insulation. Obviously shortening this wire has the effect of increasing the heat etc.

Now off to maplins to get some new spade connectors and some bigger duty wire before the thing goes up in smoke

 

[craigite]

proper connectors every time, I agree :thumb:
not that I know what I'm doing, tried the electrical tape myself and failed

 

[sheffieldlad]

Hi all,

for all those using value kettle elements. I dismantled 2 tesco kettles. In the instructions there are 2 wires that you join together. I used electrical tape after shortening it down to a neat loop.

Now that I am insulating the HLT and boiler, I have noticed that these wires get bloody hot, not just from the heat from the elements but properly hot, the lefthand element wire has now burned through the electical tape and put a scortch mark in the insulation. Obviously shortening this wire has the effect of increasing the heat etc.

Now off to maplins to get some new spade connectors and some bigger duty wire before the thing goes up in smoke

What do the wires do? I'm yet to make a boiler.

you need a proper mechanical connection in any electrical termination.
Tape just won't do mate.

A spade connector will be much better, not sure about solder, this could fail under extreme heat.
Try to get some heat proof sleeving for the wire. this may help a little shield it from any heat from the elements.

If the heat is from the current passing through then you might want to fit a thicker wire too.

A bad mechanical connection will create its own heat, spades should fix that as long as they are tight.

Hope this helps in some way.

-Paul.

 

[keith1664]

I'm a bit confused as to which wires need connecting together. There are 3 connections on the plastic bit that attaches to the element. Live, neutral and earth. None should be connected together!

 

[sheffieldlad]

I'm a bit confused as to which wires need connecting together. There are 3 connections on the plastic bit that attaches to the element. Live, neutral and earth. None should be connected together!

me too. maybe it's to bypass the thermal cut out?
Thats the best I can come up with :wha:

 

[keith1664]

Hmmm, any chance of a link to the instructions you're following Rob?

 

[unclepumble]

Do Not Use insulation Tape as an Insulator It is only to be used as a cable marking tool, all connections should be in terminals, bullet or spade type connectors or soldered together, you can also by proper rubber sleeves and heat shrink for insulating bare wires, just don't rely on Insulation tape.

I have this conversation with electricians all the time when I see them taping up wires at work, they don't like it when I make them go get a terminal box and terminate the wire in it. :)

UP

 

[31bb3]

I left the wires as they were mine has a light on the end so I know there's power to the elements

 

[WelshPaul]

I left the wires as they were mine has a light on the end so I know there's power to the elements

Same. I'm using 2 x Argos value kettle elements and they seem to be much simpler than the Tesco variety: no re-wiring required as you can plug a (heat resistant) kettle lead into the rear of the plate.

 

[sheffieldlad]

I have this conversation with electricians all the time when I see them taping up wires at work, they don't like it when I make them go get a terminal box and terminate the wire in it. :)

UP

:shock: Bloody hell, thats evil. If I saw one of the sparks I work with doing that I'd ensure he didn't work for us again.

-Paul

 

[BigYin]

I've had two tesco value kettle elements in place in my boiler for a while now and haven't had any such problems at all :hmm:

I suppose the thing about home made kit is, there is sometimes a bit of a fine line between success and failure!!

Hope you can get it sorted :drink:

 

[Mike1981]

I left the wires as they were mine has a light on the end so I know there's power to the elements

Same here and no problems :thumb:

 

[Green Ninja]

Me too,

they're very pretty. :-)

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

I'm a bit confused as to which wires need connecting together. There are 3 connections on the plastic bit that attaches to the element. Live, neutral and earth. None should be connected together!

Its the red wires that go to the switch of the kettle. This is bypassed in all the instructions I have seen.

Big connector being bought and some 13amp wire to get around this issue