Storage heaters - Does covering them cause them to break down?
 

Hi,

My lodger has just had a 2nd storage heater break down on her (I
replaced the 1st one having been unsuccessful in trying to cure the
problem by replacing the input thermostat).

She had been covering the heater with her towel.

Would this cause the heater to fail?

If yes, is there typically a specific peice of equipment that fails.


All advice gratefully received....

Steve

Storage heaters - Does covering them cause them to break down?
 

Steve wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

My lodger has just had a 2nd storage heater break down on her (I
replaced the 1st one having been unsuccessful in trying to cure the
problem by replacing the input thermostat).

She had been covering the heater with her towel.

Would this cause the heater to fail?

If yes, is there typically a specific peice of equipment that fails.



There is normally a overheat fusible link, which should fail if the heater
is covered when it is taking on heat.



-

Storage heaters - Does covering them cause them to break down?
 

On 16 Jan 2006 07:10:50 -0800 someone who may be "Steve"
wrote this:-

My lodger has just had a 2nd storage heater break down on her (I
replaced the 1st one having been unsuccessful in trying to cure the
problem by replacing the input thermostat).

She had been covering the heater with her towel.

Would this cause the heater to fail?

I would hope so. One alternative to this is that she might burn your
house down. Which would you prefer?

Other than heaters designed for drying things, such as towel rails,
electric heaters should not be covered. At best the heater will just
discolour what is placed on it, due to the high surface
temperatures. At worst it will set fire to what is covering the
heater, or set the heater itself on fire. Ventilation slots are
provided for a reason and should not be blocked.

Towel rails that fit onto certain makes/models of storage heater are
available. One can also get towel rails that fit onto the wall
behind the heater. One can also get drying racks that can stand on
the floor.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Storage heaters - Does covering them cause them to break down?
 

There is normally a overheat fusible link, which should fail if the heater
is covered when it is taking on heat.

Same happened to mine 22 years ago when I covered one of
them when it was in the "Charging" cycle which was 00:00 hours to 08:00
hours. The thermal fuse at the top blew, the replacement was a couple
of £'s I seem to remember. There are different temperature ratings for
these thermal fuses.

The problem did not occur again as I installed a full C/H system
as they were SOOooo expensive to run.

Chris.

Storage heaters - Does covering them cause them to break down?
 

"Mark" wrote in message
...

Steve wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

My lodger has just had a 2nd storage heater break down on her (I
replaced the 1st one having been unsuccessful in trying to cure the
problem by replacing the input thermostat).

She had been covering the heater with her towel.

Would this cause the heater to fail?

If yes, is there typically a specific peice of equipment that fails.



There is normally a overheat fusible link, which should fail if the heater
is covered when it is taking on heat.

It's a thermal cut-out. It's resettable by pressing a button.

It is:

a) Hard to find if you don't know where it is.

b) Even harder to determine that you've actually reset it.

tim

Storage heaters - Does covering them cause them to break down?
 

"Steve" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

My lodger has just had a 2nd storage heater break down on her (I
replaced the 1st one having been unsuccessful in trying to cure the
problem by replacing the input thermostat).

She had been covering the heater with her towel.

Would this cause the heater to fail?

If yes, is there typically a specific peice of equipment that fails.


All advice gratefully received....

Steve


First off, never cover a storage heater. Our place was nearly burnt down by
someone covering an old heater a few years back. The only plus point was it
prompted me to replace all the heaters with new models with a thermal cut
out.

If its a newer style dimplex there is a small reset switch (metal tab)
behind a sliding cover which is access by removing the from panel. You MUST
make sure the heater is isolated before you do this though as there are lots
of "live" parts under the cover.