Heating Element Toasted My Brewery

[krausenhaus]

I've been using an over-the-side element with a temperature controller for my HLT, and it's been good for 25 brews or so.

Last brew, I came out and saw that the temperature controller wasn't working. I tried to unplug the control panel from the extension cord and realised that the connection had partially melted together.

I ripped the temperature controller out of the panel, and the back of it is fried. A few bits of plastic inside the control panel are melted too.

If I plug the heating element straight into the wall, it runs for about 10-15 minutes and then trips the RCD, so its obviously drawing too much juice.

Anyone know the mechanism by which a heating element suddenly decides to start pulling too much current?

Lucky it didn't start a bloody fire. Think I'll be adding a circuit breaker to the control panel.

 

[QldKev]

Anyone know the mechanism by which a heating element suddenly decides to start pulling too much current?

It's called a short, the element is stuffed.

What brand was it? Is it still under warranty?

 

[krausenhaus]

What brand was it? Is it still under warranty?

I got it from Grain & Grape years ago, I think the brand might've been Grimwood. Documentation is long gone, so I'll just turf it. I've ordered a stick element from CB already and just installed a new STC-1000.

I sure wish I made the control panel a little more accessible.

 

[Jono_w]

if its tripping the RCD it could also be an earth fault. elements often do this as they can absorb moisture into their mineral insulation.

 

[Jono_w]

if its tripping the RCD it could also be an earth fault. elements often do this as they can absorb moisture into their mineral insulation.

 

[Jono_w]

if its tripping the RCD it could also be an earth fault. elements often do this as they can absorb moisture into their mineral insulation.