The electric heated towel rail is a convenient and practical household appliance. It provides a comfortable microclimate in the bathroom, prevents the appearance of fungus and allows you to quickly dry towels. He serves a very long time. But sometimes force majeure circumstances happen, which you can fight with your own hands.
We will tell you how to identify a breakdown, and then repair the electric heated towel rail, which has ceased to fulfill its functions. With us you will learn not only about the rules of disability recovery, but also about a simple option to improve the operation of the device.
Based on our recommendations, you can independently repair the heated towel rail, which is connected to the power supply, in order to fully restore its functions.
Why doesn't the electric heated towel rail work?
The cause of a breakdown or incorrect functioning of the heated towel rail is often a chain of nodes connecting the device to the power grid.
The search for problems begins with a survey of the outlet. The plug is removed and carefully inspect the inlets.
Due to the breakdown of the heated towel rail in the bathroom or the combined bathroom, an excessively high level of humidity is formed and there is a risk of mold
In the absence of visual damage, the node is examined using an indicator screwdriver. If there is no current, the outlet is replaced with a working one, when the current is there, they go on to check the thermostat. It is gently rotated and listened to the sound. The sound of a faint click indicates the contacts are working and means that the device is working.
Further trouble is sought in the power line. With increased loads on the network, it becomes hot and the device automatically turns off. In this situation, the equipment is again connected to the power supply and carefully monitored.
Repeated knocking out of the automatic plug clearly indicates that there is a short circuit in the connection system, which must be detected and eliminated.
Overheating of the eyeliner is one of the most common causes of a malfunction of the electric heated towel rail, therefore, in case of equipment failure, it is from it that the inspection can be started
Diagnosis of the system for a circuit is carried out using a multimeter. It is configured to fix the level of resistance to direct current.
The cord for connecting the heated towel rail to the network is removed from the outlet, and then the resistance of the heater and the wire is measured. The indicators of the heating element should tend to zero and be slightly less than 1 Ohm. The resistance of the wire should approach infinity, since the circuit connecting the neutral and phase conductors is open.
A multimeter is a useful and convenient device that allows you to quickly identify the location of a circuit in the electrical system. Can be useful in the diagnosis of wiring, batteries, batteries
If other numbers are displayed on the device’s display, the damaged eyeliner must be changed. This takes a minimum of time and effort, provided that it is mounted in an open form.
If the hidden laying method is used, to eliminate the problem for some time it is required to remove fragments of the external wall decoration, carry out the necessary repair work and only then return the decor elements back.
A heated towel rail with a hidden power branch in the interior looks more attractive, but it will be more difficult to repair the wiring if it is damaged
Identification of damage in the electrical circuit
According to the rules of safe operation of the heated towel rail, the installation of the outlet directly in the bathroom is carried out only if it is connected to the system through safety devices. In a network that complies with all PUE standards, a circuit breaker, an RCD device and a wiring leading to the outlet are installed.
The residual current device will protect the heated towel rail from overvoltage and short circuit. The choice of the RCD category depends on the voltage, the value of the rated current and the number of poles
To detect a fault area, first check the position of all circuit breakers:
- A disconnected main circuit breaker with an RCD turned on indicates a short circuit in the system.
- When the main circuit breaker is switched on when the RCD is turned off, it indicates a decrease in the level of insulation resistance at the heater.
- If, when the heated towel rail is disconnected from the outlet, both automatic machines that are turned off easily turn on and do not knock out, you should look for problems in the device itself. When one of them turns off the protective system immediately after switching on, the problem is the connection.
- If the machines turn on when the heated towel rail is plugged in, but one of them knocks out, the malfunction is in the towel dryer.
The unit that is not working with two machines turned on clearly indicates that it is possible that the heater has partially burned out or has already completely burned out and needs to be replaced.
Electrical appliance malfunctions
Electric heated towel rails are divided into two types. Some are called solid-filled and graphite is used as a heating substance. The second - liquid - work on special mineral oil, water or antifreeze.
When a solid or liquid towel warmer stops functioning, the area of malfunction is indicated first. If the wiring and the external power network are checked and in perfect order, it is most likely that the problem lies with the equipment itself.
A detailed search begins with a determination of whether the heated towel rail is weaker or not at all. To do this, the device is turned on in standard mode, and after 5-7 minutes, the level of heating in the region of the main heater is checked.
When at this point the unit becomes simply warm, but not fiery, they try to increase the temperature by additionally adjusting the thermostat.
If the temperature adjustment procedure helps, the problem is only the incorrect operation of the control equipment and no further action is required
When the heated towel rail warms up as much as possible only in the area of the heating element, and then remains barely warm or even cold, there is a chance that it is simply clogged and needs a good cleaning. Do it yourself with your own hands at home.
The device is disconnected from the mains, removed from the wall and turned over so that the heating fluid does not leak. Using a wrench, unscrew the main valve and clean the inlet with wire.
Then the unit is assembled, checked for leaks, returned to its usual place and connected to the power supply. Normal operation of the device in standard mode means that the repair was successful.
If the heater does not heat up at all, the source of the problem is sought in the electrical part of the unit.
Electrical troubleshooting
When it is already known for certain that the problem of a non-functioning heated towel rail is not in the mains, but in the device itself, you need to urgently find the place of the malfunction. Devices that operate on the basis of a heating cable are in most cases not repairable or require a complete replacement of the main element.
Almost all TEN units are repaired without problems and after service work normally in standard mode.
In order to diagnose a heating element, it is necessary to get to the contacts connecting it to the power supply system. To do this, first remove the casing covering the contact part. This process is different in each model and its description is usually found in the user manual that comes with the heated towel rail.
To check the functionality of the heater, you must again use the tester (multimeter). After checking the heater with a multimeter, you can know for sure whether it requires replacement or not.
The wires connecting the heater to the common system are soldered or fastened with special contacts. They are carefully disconnected. Then, using a multimeter, they individually ring the wire first, and then the heater itself.
The measurement scale is set to “Ω” and the maximum value is indicated. Measurements are made between the three passing wires and fix the indicator. It should be as high as possible. Data tending to 0 indicates a short circuit in the system.
If there is any regulating equipment between the outlet and the heating element, it is disconnected and tested separately before measurement. Ignoring this item will result in incorrect data.
If there is a timer on the heated towel rail, the circuit between its contacts is also checked. Lack of circuit - a sure signal that the timer requires replacement
Inspection of the heating element begins with checking the circuit between the power contacts. Then determine the presence and level of resistance between the power contacts and the housing. If there is no circuit between the power contacts, then either the heater itself or the thermostat have broken.
A small value of the resistance indicator between the power contacts and the housing of the heater indicates its damage or breakdown. In such a situation, the element is removed and replaced with a new one.
Replacement of heating elements
The configuration of most models of electric heated towel rails provides for the replacement of a failed heating element with a new one. The procedure is not too complicated, and you can do it yourself at home with a screwdriver, pliers and a set of wrenches.
Before starting repairs, you need to find out what type of heater is used in the model of a heated towel rail. The most common are “wet” heating elements, in which the heating element is in contact with the liquid coolant.
Before fixing such units, they are removed from the wall, turned over, unscrew the inlet valve and drain the working fluid (water, oil, distillate solution). Then unscrew the threaded connections fastening the element to the body, replace the faulty heater with a working one, fill in the heat-carrying liquid, close the outlet openings and check the installation for leaks.
To replace the heating element, the heated towel rail must be disconnected from the central power supply, in other words - unplug the plug from the outlet to disconnect the device
In the “dry” versions, where the heating element and the coolant are separated from each other, the faulty heating elements are simply unscrewed from the housing and a new one is put in its place.
At the end of the work, the entire heater is called up with a multimeter and only when positive results are obtained in all areas, the equipment is installed back onto the wall and the equipment is connected to the power supply system.
Modernization of a cheap Chinese model
Consider an example of improving the budget model of electric drying, established by an economical developer. According to the home master who implemented this option, most of these appliances in the new house are out of order. We will analyze not only the idea, but also the mistakes made by him in order to step on the “rake” already tested by the owner.
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In order to determine the cause of breakdowns that disable a cheap heated towel rail, we will measure the power consumption and temperature
Power consumption at the heating stage and after reaching the required temperature does not change. So, in the design, a conventional rather than self-regulating cable was used
We put one of the temperature sensors on the device, its position is fixed with aluminum tape
We put the second temperature sensor into the heated towel rail to compare the temperature inside and outside the equipment
A couple of minutes after turning on the dryer and placing a towel on it that blocks heat transfer, the device warmed up to 55º
With a towel hung to dry, the temperature rises rapidly
We measure the temperature of the device, on the shoulders of which a towel dipped in water is hung. Outdoor temperature sensor shows more than 80º
Inside the case, the temperature exceeded 100º, which threatens to melt the wiring and breakdown of the equipment
Step 1: Identify the cause of frequent breakdowns
Step 2: Measure Power Consumption During Heating
Step 3: Installing the temperature sensor on the surface of the heater
Step 4: Installing the temperature sensor inside the heating tube
Step 5: Fix the temperature after starting
Step 6: Heated Towel Warmer to 62º
Step 6: Temperature Measurement with a Wet Towel
Step 8: Recording Indications Inside the Case
Found the cause of common breakdowns. When hanging wet things on the appliance, for the drying of which it is actually intended, a cheap Chinese product will simply burn out due to excess temperature and fusion of the wiring. To exclude such negative situations, it was decided to put a thermostat.
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Step 9: Buy a Thermostat for Converting Drying
Step 10: Connect the thermostat to the dryer wiring
Step 12: Attach the second thermostat to the dryer
Step 11: Installing the Insulating Enclosure on the Device
System depressurization and fluid loss
The cause of the unit malfunction is a violation of the integrity of the tank with the coolant and, as a result, leakage of the working fluid. The culprits of this problem are usually o-rings that have worn out during intensive use or have simply worked out their temporary life.
The easiest way to detect a breakdown. A puddle with leaking liquid of an oily yellow or dark shade is formed on the bathroom floor directly under the heated towel rail and clearly indicates a malfunction.
To eliminate the breakdown, the heated towel rail is disconnected from the power supply system, removed from the wall, the valve at the inlet is unscrewed, the working fluid is drained and carefully disassembled at the depressurization place using an adjustable wrench or a special tool provided for by the model design.
The damaged o-ring is removed and a new one that comes with the device is installed instead.
If all branded o-rings have already been used, the product is bought in a specialized store. For the heated towel rail, inexpensive cushioning elements made of solid and semi-solid monolithic rubber are suitable.
They remain operational at temperatures from -40 to + 80 ° С, and some more modern species do not lose their physical characteristics even at temperatures from -20 to + 90 ° С.
For the manufacture of gaskets for household electrical devices using technical rubber TMKShch (GOST 7338-90). The abbreviation means that the products are resistant to alkaline effects and have heat and frost resistance. They are recommended to be installed only in those systems where the pressure does not exceed 25 bar
The only drawback of rubber gaskets is their fragility. During operation, they quickly lose their elastic structure, delaminate or crack. When installing them in a heated towel rail, it should be borne in mind that they will have to be changed quite often.
Sealing and gasket products made of paronite are more practical and easily withstand pressure in the system up to 64 bar. Unlike rubber options, they quietly tolerate high heat load (up to + 200 ° C), are resistant to sudden changes in temperature and are not afraid of the strong pressure characteristic of heating systems.
However, paronite contains chrysolite asbestos, which is considered harmful to human health. It contains some types of carcinogens that can provoke malignant and benign formations. In the Eurozone countries, asbestos is prohibited, so professionals do not recommend the use of paronite gaskets for home appliances.
Silicone gaskets are non-toxic and exhibit good working qualities, but their price is quite high. In addition, in hermetically sealed systems at temperatures above + 150 ° С, the material softens, exhibits porosity, loses hardness and loses its original strength.
Parts made of fluorine-containing polymer are valued more expensive, but they have unrivaled physical, antifriction and electrical properties. Ftoroplast demonstrates complete harmlessness to humans and instantly attenuates during spontaneous combustion.
Gaskets and gaskets made of this progressive material practically do not age, withstand record-breaking high loads, work efficiently in aggressive conditions, perfectly tolerate operating temperatures up to + 150 ° C and pressure up to 160 bar.
Replacing the rubber or silicone O-rings with PTFE on the heated towel rail once, you can forget about leaks forever
After replacing the gasket, the drained working fluid is poured into the unit. If its volume is not enough, the right amount is added from the spare tank. If desired, the heat-conducting composition is completely changed to a new one. So that the system does not break, it is imperative that they leave an air cushion of 3 to 5 centimeters.
At the end of the service, the unit is reassembled, the inlet valve is screwed up, checked for leaks, hung up at the usual place and connected to the electric network. A heated towel rail operating in normal mode means that the repair was successful.
Rules for installation and operation of equipment
In order for the equipment to work efficiently and not fail, when installing an electric heated towel rail and operating the device, some simple rules should be observed:
- Do not place the unit in close proximity to the place where the water flows. To avoid problems, hang the household appliance as far from the bathtub or shower as possible.
- When connecting the device to the power supply system, it is necessary to apply an eyeliner capable of withstanding intense current loads.
- For the correct and safe operation of the heated towel rail, protective shutdown devices should be installed. A differential circuit breaker, circuit breaker and RCD will protect the equipment from burnout and ensure normal functioning even with unauthorized energy drops.
- The presence of a grounding contact is the most important position when installing an electric heated towel rail. In the event of an insulation breakdown, it will prevent electric shock to the user.
The socket should not be built-in, but external and always waterproof. If possible, it is better to place it outside the bathroom, having done through drilling in a suitable place on the wall.
The roller clearly demonstrates the process of replacing the phase wire of electric drying:
Troubleshooting and subsequent repair of the heated towel rail can be done at home. This requires a multimeter, screwdriver, adjustable wrench and pliers.
When carrying out work, you must follow basic safety rules and follow the tips contained in the instructions that came with the equipment. If there is any doubt in your abilities, you should contact the center of branded warranty service or call a qualified specialist at home. It will quickly detect the problem area and fix any problems that arise.
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