how easy is it to replace a thermal coupler

[alan]

hi I have a Potterton Suprema 30 boiler, the thermal couplers going so says a plumber I know as the hot water keeps going off, about once a week. Is it easy to do myself?

Can I do it myself legally? How much should it cost to get someone to do it properly if i cant do it?

Any help would be appreciated

thanks.......

[Martin]

When was it last serviced? There are other things that could cause this fault, the Thermocouple is just the most common cause.

There is no *law* preventing you from doing it yourself, you just can't accept payment for the work. Common sense dictates you don't touch it unless you know what you are doing.

[Ed Sirett]

Assuming the fault is the the thermocouple then you can fix it yourself if you are competant to do so.

A pro would/could/should charge you a minmum call out plus 5 quid for the part. I have heard stories (first hand) of people who have paid silly money (>£100) for this job.

[Dave Plowman]

Interesting point. A thermocouple isn't part of the gas supply, and is fail safe - if you disconnect it the valve won't work. And it operates by electricity.

Does this mean working on a central heating programmer is also covered by the 'CORGI' regs?

[Ed Sirett]

No the gas regs cover gas appliances the external controls are not covered unless they operate by gas.

[alan]

Thanks for the advice... the potterton suprema 30 boiler is 6 years old as thats how old the house is, also i had it (serviced!!) by British Gas last september 2002 when I moved in. The corgi engineer came in tested with a probe for leaks I assume and left two minutes later, leaving me with a £100 bill!

I hope anyone can recommend me a good engineer in the thurrock, lakeside area. or is there any plans for the inside of this boiler i can see online to show me what to look for if i decide to do it.

[Bob Minchin]

Universal thermocouple £3.99 from screwfix. It comes with lots of different fittings to fit most boilers.

Bob

[Ed Sirett]

Do they make Suprimas with permanent pilot lights? I thought all such models were electroinc ignition. Perhaps there is another root cause of the intermittent problems the OP had?

I think the group needs a bit more info.

1) How do you reset things after there is a failure. 2) I presume this boiler heats both water and radiators? 3) Do the radiators stop working also at the same time?

It may well be that you have a totally different problem to the original as stated. Did the 'plumber' make this comment after seeing the boiler or just as a speculative comment?

[alan]

Thanks Ed

1) When the pilot light goes out the radiators and hot water both go off 2) To reset it I keep my finger pressed on the reset button for approx 20 secs and let go then i should hear the boiler fire up and the light goes from red to green.

[Ed Sirett]

OK one thing is certain, you need neither a themocouple or a thermal coupler 8-).

We have an intermittant lock out problem on a modern boiler.

The manual may give some clues as to whart sort of problem is causing the fault (eg. flashing = over heat, steady = ignition failure).