Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:28 pm
Boilers are expensive home appliances; they heat water. On the other hand, damaging power surges cause damages to appliances that are costly to repair.
Ensuring these boilers are safely plugged in and protected from surges is vital. Surges are harmful to appliances but are they powerful enough to damage boilers?
Yes, a power surge can damage a boiler. It does this by destroying crucial elements of the boiler like the fuse, which protects an electrical circuit from the surplus current. When the fuse blows, the boiler will have no power. It won’t work.
What Damage Can A Power Surge Do?
Power surges cause a short, quick duration and increase in voltage, damaging electrical appliances. When voltages rise higher than their average level, it causes an arcing of current. The heat generated poses a risk to electronic components. Therefore, it is significant to study the causes of these surges to know how best to prevent them.
Low and high-level surges have a voltage difference, but they do the same thing —cause damages.
High Voltage surges cause instant damage, while low-level surges are subtle to perceive.
They pile up and eventually cause a potential reduction in the lifespan of a device. Internal surges come from inside a building.
They happen due to the tripping of an inductive load such as the motors. External surges come from outside a building.
It happens due to lightning strikes on equipment, transformers getting short-circuited, or the resumption of power after an outage.
Some common causes of surges are:
- Improper installation
- Lack of maintenance
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Lightning strikes
- Electrical overload
- Power outages
#1. Improper Installation
Several electrical problems that cause surges come from one main issue — lousy wiring. Improperly fixed wires are vulnerable to surges.
If these wires are loosened or exposed, they are prone to failure.
#2. Lack Of Maintenance
Appliances may get burned or have damaged parts without being. These damaged parts make the area prone to electrical mishaps.
Replacements or repairs not being done on damaged or worn-out devices and wires are likely to cause surges.
#3. Tripped Circuit breaker
Circuit breakers are safety gadgets that shut off when there are current surges. Unfortunately, appliances do not provide protection when these circuit breakers trip or fail.
#4. Lightning Strikes
Production of large voltages occurs when lightning directly strikes a power line.
When this happens, the electrical system takes in excess current, which significantly increases voltage and causes surges.
#5. Electrical Overload
Overusing an extension cord causes an overload in the circuit. Likewise, plugging in many appliances above the extension’s circuit voltage level leads to surges.
#6. Power Outage
Electrical wires are left void of electricity flow after power outages occur, but the sudden flow of electricity after a power outage causes an increase in voltage— Surges.
What Happens To A Boiler After A Power Cut?
A surge occurs after a power outage, damaging the boiler’s fuse and other elements. A fuse is fitted with a boiler to stop the electrical components from getting damaged. However, the fuse will have to be replaced for the boiler to turn on.
Electrical surges cause damage. We can protect appliances by preventing them. This can be done by:
- Use of surge protective devices
- Having an experienced electrician inspect wires
- Unplug devices after power outages and during storms
- Use of Standard outlets strategically
#1. Use Of Surge Protective Devices
Surge protectors curb the surplus voltage from reaching a device, preventing damage to an appliance.
They do this by diverting the excessive current to the ground wires.
#2. Having An Experienced Electrician Inspect Wires
Substandard, damaged, or old wires offer little or no protection but disrupt the current flow. The risks of this likely increase the occurrence of surges.
An experienced electrician should inspect these wires to replace and repair them.
#3. Unplug Devices After Power Outages And During Storms
Surges only affect powered appliances. It is vital to unplug all appliances after a power cut and bad weather. It keeps them protected from electrical surges.
#4. Use Of Standard Outlets Strategically
Avoid plugging in too many appliances into an outlet. It overloads the system.
Too much demand on an outlet’s circuit generates much heat to the wires and causes instability in voltage, posing a threat to appliances.
How Do I Reset My Boiler After A Power Cut?
To reset a boiler, press the reset button once. Then, hold the button for five seconds or more before releasing it. Not that a boiler that has been successfully reset shows a flashing green light. Other problems need to be fixed if the resetting doesn’t work.
Some problems that could make a boiler stop working are:
- A faulty pump
- Blocked plate heat exchanger
- Leakage in the system
- Fault in an electric part
#1. A Faulty Pump
Heating problems are associated with a boiler’s pump, an essential element. A pump conveys hot water from a boiler throughout the dispensers.
If a pump is damaged, there will be poor water heating and cold water.
#2. Blocked Plate Heat Exchanger
A heat exchanger is a vital element in a boiler, responsible for effectively transferring heat from burning gas to cold water.
However, rust and dirt accumulate in a heat plate over time, resulting in sludge. Also, it slows water heating and blocks the boiler in worse cases; so, installing a filter helps collect all waste.
#3. Leakage in the system
Immediate repairs are to be done to leakages as this is severe. It could result from boiler pressure, badly closed pipes, or damage to the exchanger. It is best to have an engineer fix all damages.
#4. Electrical Faults
A damaged or exposed wire could disrupt the functioning of a boiler. So, it would help if you replaced them immediately.
Conclusion
A boiler is an appliance susceptible to electrical surges. However, surges damage electrical elements in boilers and make them stop working.
This increase in voltage can destroy powered devices, so it is essential to protect appliances from them.
If a reset button does not fix fundamental problems in a boiler after an outage, it’s time to see an experienced electrician.
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