Recommendations for self-repair of water heaters Thermex

When hot water supply cannot be called stable, many decide to acquire a domestic water heater, for example, a Thermex electric water heater. However, it can fail quite unexpectedly. This is especially true for low-cost models of boilers. Of course, you can immediately contact the master, but you can try to fix the damage yourself.

Thermex is an electric water heater that can easily provide a house with hot water in the summer or in the absence of a gas water heater. It should be clarified that Thermex water heaters are produced by the oldest concern in Russia, which first produced its products in 1995.At the same time, all products, including water heaters, fully comply with Russian and international standards.

Thermex boilers are used to heat water if the pressure of cold water in the water supply system is not less than 0.05 MPa and does not exceed 0.6 MPa. The volume of tanks is varied, but most often there are boilers of 50 and 80 liters. The body, depending on the model, can be steel or made of plastic. These materials allow you to extend the service life of the water heater. The space between the outer casing and the tank is filled with thermal insulation, which allows you to save heat for a long time.

On the front side of the water heater is often located the control panel. Less commonly, it is from the bottom, on the right side. In a tank of any capacity, the ten is capable of heating water to a temperature of 75 degrees.

The thermostat maintains the temperature of the water in a certain range, which makes the boilers very comfortable. In those cases, if the water temperature exceeds 95 degrees, it will automatically disconnect from the network. For this is responsible thermal switch.

Modern water heaters are equipped with various additional elements.

A safety valve protects the device from a sharp increase in pressure in the tank. This valve has an exhaust pipe, which should be connected to the sewer drain. This is necessary in order to drain water through it once a month, preventing clogging with lime deposits.

In most models of water heaters over time, the same elements become faulty. As a result, it is necessary to carry out repairs. At first glance, repairing a water heater with your own hands is very difficult. However, if you familiarize yourself with its structure and principle of operation a little, then everything becomes extremely simple and clear.

When there is a boiler, it is necessary to know at least its key elements and basic indicators. Having familiarized with them, the principle of work becomes clear, as a result the slightest malfunctions can be quickly eliminated.

The water heater consists of the following main parts:

• The external case of the water heater is covered with enamel, which is applied using a powder coating method.This allows you to securely protect the tank from the outside and make it decorative.
• The bracket allows you to attach the tank to the wall.
• A tube that releases hot water. Also made of stainless steel with special properties. Possesses high wear resistance and is steady against corrosion.

• The tank represents accumulative capacity from steel with special impurity. The latter are necessary so that the tank does not hit corrosion longer and to increase mechanical strength. Inside, Thermex tanks are covered with a special steklo porcelain coating. This coating is applied with a layer of 250 micrometers.
• It ensures the purity and freshness of the water in the tank. In this case, there is no reaction with the coating of aggressive chemical substances in the water. Also, the coating gives the tank strength and elasticity, which provides the best protection against pressure drops and thermal shocks. In such tanks, cracks occur extremely rarely, since the linear expansion coefficient of steel and glass ceramics are equal.
• The magnesium anode is probably one of the most important parts of the boiler. After all, his service life depends on him. The anode is a rod made of metal. Top rod covers magnesium alloy.

• It is at this anode that the first blow of oxygen is released, which is released when water is heated. Thus, it does not react with other elements of the boiler, made of metal. However, we must bear in mind that over time, the anode is destroyed.
• The platform on which the heating element is located, a magnesium anode, a thermostat. It is made of steel flange. The platform is fixed to the body with nuts in the amount of 5-6 pieces, which allows it to be quickly installed and removed if necessary.
• The tube through which the flow of cold water. It is made of wear-resistant steel, which is resistant to corrosion.
• The thermostat automatically regulates the temperature of the water. It is worth noting that Thermex water heaters use thermostats with a double degree of protection.

• Often, two thermostats are installed in the water heaters. This is necessary so that one of them controls how the water heats up, and the second controls the state of the first. In some models, most often very expensive, there is a third thermostat, which controls the state of the heater.
• Tan is a tubular electric heater and is the main part of the boiler.
• Thermal insulation made of polyurethane foam runs in the gap between the inner tank and the outer skin. He makes the water heater a kind of thermos, well saving heat. As a result, the consumption of electricity also decreases.
• A safety valve replaces the check valve. Required to protect the boiler from high pressure.

• The thermal switch automatically turns off the boiler when the temperature rises above 95 degrees. On the case of a water heater there is a button of a thermoswitch which can be used at water overheating.
• A thermometer outside the tank allows you to determine the temperature of the water.
• Electronic circuits that monitor and control.
• Control panel, located outside the boiler.

The principle of operation of water heaters is quite simple. Cold water enters the tank from below. The heater installed on the flange stand heats it to a certain temperature. In fact, the heater plays the role of a boiler in a boiler.

The thermostat, which is located at the bottom of the boiler, allows you to adjust the required temperature. It starts the heating element when the water is cooled, and also when it is used, and turns it off when the set temperature is reached.

Hot water in the boiler rises up to the intake tube, while cold layers of water provide support to the upper layers. Thus, cold and hot water inside the tank do not mix. The temperature of the liquid increases gradually along the height of the tank. When the water in the entire tank heats up to a certain temperature, the heater will turn off.

In the event that hot water is not used for a long time, there will be a gradual cooling of water in it. Then the thermal relay will turn the heater back on. As for the speed of heating water in the boiler, it directly depends on the power of the heating element and the volume of the tank, which can be 50-80 liters and even more.

Repair of any water heater, regardless of its volume, must be started from finding out what the fault actually is. Moreover, it is possible to pre-determine the cause of the breakdown even without analyzing the boiler.

There are major problems, knowing that it will be possible to quickly and easily repair the water heater:

• The water heater has stopped turning on. First of all, you should check whether there is power and current in the electrical circuit.
• Water heater does not collect water.
• Knocks out the RCD (residual current device).
• The boiler does not heat the water at all, or does not heat it according to the given heating conditions.

• Water heater leaked. Leaks in water heaters occur quite often. Moreover, the drip bottom can be next to the flange stand, and maybe on the tank itself. Sometimes you can see water dripping from under the boiler lid. The cause of the leaks can be either the wear of the boiler itself, or improper maintenance or installation.

• Broken socket.
• Idle Teng. Most often in the water heaters fails the main work item - TEN. With this breakdown, as a rule, the safety automatics is triggered, the water does not heat up at all or does not heat up at all, the indicator light does not light up when turned on, and the automaton on the meter can knock out. Often the water goes turbid, has an unpleasant smell, and the water heater itself is noisy.

If this damage is determined by the appearance of the PETN, then damage will be visible on its shell. However, such damage is not always visible, so it is better to use a tester.If the ohmmeter on the terminals gave infinity, then it broke the nichrome spiral. If the device shows zero, then this is a short circuit.

Causes of failure of the heating element most often the following:

1. his term of service has ended;
2. the device worked without water;
3. the boiler was turned off for a long period, while there was water in it;
4. voltage drops.
5. Faulty thermostat.

Often the cause of breakdowns are broken thermostats. This can be indicated by the voltage at which the control thermostat will work, but at the same time the switching on of the heater will not occur.

• Magnesium anode wear.
• Scum.

It should be noted that quite often before breakage the tank gurgles and becomes airborne. Although it often helps to disconnect the boiler from the network and the passage of water. So you need to repeat several times.

Repair of water heaters can be done at home and with their own hands. This requires some tools and knowledge of what the fault is.

The simplest breakdown is a faulty outlet. It often happens that it is because of her that the boiler does not work.To correct the breakage, you will need a tester or a multimeter, you can also use a twist light bulb with a plug. This way it is checked whether there is voltage. If this is not available, the socket must be disassembled, repaired or replaced.

Non-working teng also often fails. To determine whether it is or not, it is necessary to remove the bottom cover of the device. Then, when the boiler is turned on, it is necessary to check if there is voltage at the terminals of the heating element. This is done with a tester or multimeter.

In the event that voltage is present, but Teng does not heat the water, it is faulty. The boiler must be disconnected from the network, and then measure the resistance and ring the heating element itself. The device is working, if you hear a dial or there is a certain number of resistance. If there is no sound or any evidence, then Teng is not working.

Replacing the heater begins with the analysis of the boiler. It is best to start this process by draining the water, for which a hose is connected to the cold water pipe. Then it is best to take a picture or sketch how the wires are connected. Only after that you can safely detach them.

After that, both temperature sensors are pulled out and the stand is unscrewed with an end wrench at 14. Everything that was on the stand needs to be removed. Next, you need to take the ten and acquire a similar, but whole, and replace it. Everything is mounted in the reverse order. In this case, it is recommended to apply a little thermal paste on thermal sensors in order to avoid sticking and to ensure normal contact.

Non-working thermostat is visible by the fact that the heater is serviceable, but it still does not turn on. It must be pulled out of the flange stand. Then set the position of the handle to the maximum and check two contacts using a tester. If there is no reaction, then it is necessary to purchase a similar thermostat and install instead of the faulty one.

Thermostat check can also be carried out by setting the knob to the minimum value. But for this thermostat should be placed in water with a temperature of 60 degrees. In this case, the electric circuit of the thermostat will open, and the tester will not respond. If the tester responded, the thermostat does not work and must be replaced. Moreover, even if the thermostat is not quite normal, it is recommended to replace it with a new one.

To avoid leakage of the water heater over the seal,should be even when installing the boiler evenly and correctly make the tightening of its main parts. All seals should fit well around the perimeter.

The failure of the magnesium anode can only be determined by visual inspection. It must be replaced if it is covered with scum. The anode is located on the flange, and to get it, you must first unscrew the nut.

When the water heater stops heating, it immediately becomes clear that it is faulty. However, sometimes it is noticeable implicitly, the automation is regularly knocked out regularly, the RCD is triggered, and when in contact with water it beats with current. All this also testifies to a faulty boiler. Of course, in most cases, you can repair the water heater with your own hands, but there are times when you need to call a specialist.

These damage include the following:

• almost new boiler emergency shut down;
• on the thermostat the settings are constantly reset;
• UZO constantly works;
• flowing water heater flask.

It should be noted that in the latter case, repair is rarely effective, it is better to purchase a new boiler. Of course, you can change the magnesium anode yourself, but it is better to entrust it to specialists by contacting the service center.

To make repairs to the water heater as rarely as possible, it should be properly maintained. For example, it is necessary to periodically conduct preventive inspections of the boiler, as well as follow the advice given in the instructions.

The most common problem of water heater owners is scum. To prevent this phenomenon, it is first necessary to put a pre-filter on the water. If deposits are visible on the walls and nozzles, they should not be mechanically cleaned. During it scratches are formed, which can later lead to corrosion. It is best to use special cleaning agents for descaling.

For example, in order to remove the limestone from the tank and PETN, a solution of acetic or citric acid can be used. 100 percent of the water takes from 3 to 10 percent of the acid. Moreover, the solution should be quite hot.The heating element is completely immersed in the solution using a container of suitable dimensions, and the tank is simply washed. Also suitable for removing plaque are cleaning products for washing machines.

A magnetic transducer can help prevent the formation of scale deposits. You can also reduce the heating temperature in the tank to 60-70 degrees. At this temperature, salts of magnesium and calcium do not skip.

It should be remembered that the service life of the magnesium anode will last substantially if it is cleaned in a timely manner and replaced if necessary. Moreover, the replacement should be done once every six months.

It is also necessary to ensure that before turning on the boiler there must be water in it. When the device is plugged in, do not remove the protective cover. It is not recommended to use a water heater without grounding. It should also be noted that water heaters are not suitable for water supply systems in which the pressure exceeds 0.6 MPa.

If the water heater has an electronic display, then it can display the codes of the main errors, which are better known, as sometimes they can allow significant savings on repairing the boiler.

Most often you can see three errors:

• "Vacuum" (E1). It means that the tank cannot fully fill the water when the heating element is on. In this case, it is enough to turn off the heating element and wait until the tank is completely filled with liquid.
• "Sensor" (E2). This signal indicates that the thermal sensor is inoperative. In this case, it is necessary to disconnect the water heater from the network for half a minute, and then restart the device.
• "Over Heat" (E3). Indicates that the water has warmed to over 95 degrees. To prevent damage, you must start the protective thermostat with the button.

See how to repair a Thermex water heater in the following video.