Water heaters are purchased for both private homes and urban apartments. Some people buy a cheaper model, while others prefer well-known brands. Regardless of the cost of the water heater, its owners may encounter a situation when, instead of supplying water, it is shocking. As a rule, an ordinary person does not imagine what to do in the circumstances. Why is the water heater shocking and what can it lead to? Let's figure it out.
The most popular type of water heaters
If the charge is transferred with water, a person will quickly feel it on their skin, since when you touch the mixer, you will feel a “tingling sensation”. If the current goes to the case, then the malfunction is usually detected only after a while.
Boiler is shocking through water
For what reasons can water be electrified? There are several options:
- malfunction of the heater;
- Incorrect electrical connection.
The most common reason is the failure of the heater, which is located in the tank of the water heater. At first glance, this part looks like an ordinary metal tube, but the operability of the entire device depends on it. In case of violation of the insulation of the heating element, the nichrome heating coil, which is inside under constant voltage, is exposed and begins to actively interact with water.
Replacing a defective heater
Replacing the problem will help replacing the heating element with a new one. It is better to buy exactly the same heater as it was. Installation is as follows:
- disconnect the boiler from the mains;
- drain the remaining water;
- to dismantle a failed part;
- install a new item;
- pick up water;
- connect the device to the mains.
If the cause of water electrification is in connection errors, the procedure for elimination depends on the specific situation. Faults in the form of an incorrect connection are detected, as a rule, immediately after installation. And to correct the situation, you will need to reconnect the wires that connect the tank and the meter.
Check if wires are connected correctly.
In some cases, it is possible to identify this fact after a certain period of time. For example, use when connecting wires of poor quality or with an incorrectly selected cross-section. In this case, having worked out their resource, they can “knock out traffic jams” or lead to a short circuit, which will lead to tragedy.
The water heater is shocking through the housing
Why does electric current pass over the surface of the device? If the current hits through the boiler body, then the fact is, it is not grounded or the grounding is incorrect. This is a very dangerous situation. If it is discovered that the water heater body is electrifying, you must disconnect it from the power supply and do not try to fix something yourself before the wizard is called for diagnostics and repair.
Grounding - an integral part of the safe use of a water heater
Grounding when installing the boiler is necessary, as it allows you to:
- ensure safety (exclude electric shock);
- eliminate excessive energy consumption;
- slow down the appearance of corrosion and scale on the heater.
Also, RCD (residual current device) can provide additional security. If grounding removes voltage from the surface of the equipment, then this device protects the housing and the heater and prevents false alarms of electrical automation.
RCD installation is carried out before connecting the water heater. It is installed directly in the switchboard. If any malfunctions occur, it automatically shuts off the power supply. This avoids injuries and prevents boiler breakdown.
Grounding circuit and RCD installation
The installation of such a device does not require significant financial and time costs, and its benefits are enormous. Moreover, the issues that are related to electrics do not need to be saved on trifles, since the consequences can be the most unpredictable.
Another reason why the instantaneous water heater can be shocked is the failure of parts inside the boiler. In this case, professional diagnostics and repair or replacement will also be required. Do not disassemble the device and try to detect a malfunction, as this will lead to the fact that even more damage will be caused and the water heater will no longer be repaired, or to injury if it is damaged by electric shock.
Troubleshooting Safety Precautions
If it is decided to independently eliminate the problem of beating current from the water heater, it is important to follow the basic safety rules:
- hands should be dry;
- the device must be disconnected from electricity;
- water from the water heater must be drained.
If there are no skills in the repair of such equipment, then it is better to call a specialist. Before the master arrives, it is not worth identifying the cause of the malfunction yourself, since it is dangerous to life and health.
