happydays Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Hi all, I know next to nothing about electrics so go easy on me. My kitchen sink has a water heater underneath with it's own breaker switch. The breaker switch regularly switches off when I'm washing up. Why is this & what should I do about it? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikerlou47 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 The breaker is probably worn.. replace it. Sent from my SM-G360HU using Thaivisa Connect mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayned Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Yes, it could be a defective breaker, but maybe, just maybe, the breaker is doing its job and protecting the heater and possibly the user from going up in smoke! What I would do is put a meter with a current clamp on the wire to the heater and see exactly how much current is being drawn when the breaker trips. I have the equipment to do it so I can do it easily. But since the OP already admitted that he's a sparky NOT, he should hire someone to troubleshoot and resolve the problem!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Is this something which has just started and everything has been OK in the past? How many Watts is the heater? How many Amps is the breaker? Does the breaker have a "test" button? (is it an RCBO) If you're not sure, post photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydays Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 On 16/02/2017 at 5:02 AM, Crossy said: Is this something which has just started and everything has been OK in the past? How many Watts is the heater? How many Amps is the breaker? Does the breaker have a "test" button? (is it an RCBO) If you're not sure, post photos. Hi Crossy Sorry for taking so long to reply, been looking for the heater user manual. It's a Siemans DH 0611, 6 kW & 32 A fuse protection. Not sure about the breaker so I've attached a photos. It has been happening for a long time but only intermittently, not every time I use it. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaidDown Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) Breaker 13 (hot water kitchen) is a 20A breaker. Too small for 6KW Adding.. 32A would be ok if the wire size is thick enough. What wire size do you have from breaker box to heater.? Edited February 17, 2017 by ThaidDown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydays Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 25 minutes ago, ThaidDown said: Breaker 13 (hot water kitchen) is a 20A breaker. Too small for 6KW Adding.. 32A would be ok if the wire size is thick enough. What wire size do you have from breaker box to heater.? No idea about the wire size I'm afraid. What size would it need to be for a 32 A breaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaidDown Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 ^^^ If the heater is the only thing on the circuit, and you do not intend to put a bigger heater in, then 4mm should be ok. Note.... If Crossy comments later and says 6mm, then go with his recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Yup ^^^ the installation instructions say 32A breaker and 4mm2 cable http://media3.bsh-group.com/Documents/9001155288_A.pdf In truth if it's on 2.5mm2 it will be fine so long as it's not used for hours at a time. What power is the oven (is it just an oven)? Most domestic ovens (no hob) would be fine on a 20A breaker. Swapping the last two breakers could be a quick (and very cheap) fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydays Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 15 hours ago, Crossy said: Yup ^^^ the installation instructions say 32A breaker and 4mm2 cable http://media3.bsh-group.com/Documents/9001155288_A.pdf In truth if it's on 2.5mm2 it will be fine so long as it's not used for hours at a time. What power is the oven (is it just an oven)? Most domestic ovens (no hob) would be fine on a 20A breaker. Swapping the last two breakers could be a quick (and very cheap) fix. The water heater is only used for 15 minutes max so as long as the cable is at least 2.5mm then I can use a 32A breaker right? Not sure about the power of the oven but I've run it at max temp for short periods & at low temp for 8 hours+ & the breaker has never gone off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zorro1 Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Stop resetting it, your playing with fire. Electrician won't cost more than 1 thousand baht to sort it Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayned Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 5 hours ago, happydays said: The water heater is only used for 15 minutes max so as long as the cable is at least 2.5mm then I can use a 32A breaker right? Not sure about the power of the oven but I've run it at max temp for short periods & at low temp for 8 hours+ & the breaker has never gone off. Post a picture of the label on the back of the oven or read it and post the results. It should have either kWh data or amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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