Faulty boiler switch

1) I have a faulty boiler switch what can I do?

There is not often much we can do to repair a switch such as this. Occasionally a fuse will blow in a fused spur, fused connection unit or fused switch and we can then replace the fuse as a matter of maintenance. If you have a FAULTY BOILER SWITCH then it is best to replace the whole switch face. They are not a serviceable item and no attempt to repair one should be made. If the boiler switch will not turn off or will not turn on, then it will need replacing. These switches will occasionally jam up with gunk or debris and when this happens they may be difficult to switch on or off. Sometimes they can become damaged through loose connections in the back. When loose connections happen it can cause excessive heat which in turn can cause melting or a fire risk.

Connections are often incorrectly made in the back of these boiler switches. Flex cable is used to connect a boiler to a fused switch like this and the ends of the flex cable should be properly terminated to ensure a good electrical connection is made. The ends of the cable should be ferrule crimped to ensure that when the screw terminal is tightened up there is something for it to grab. Flex wire just splays out and flattens when screwed in and this can often result in a poor connection.

2) I can smell a fishy smell from my boiler switch and it is not working, what could be wrong?

If you can smell a fishy type smell anywhere in the home then it is vital that you call an electrician to test the circuits and to visually inspect the rear of the electrical accessories for you. That typical fishy type smell is electrical burning usually. The smell is pungent and indicates that the cable has been heated excessively and has begun to burn the insulation surrounding it. Damage from this can extend beyond the visible damage to the insulation of the cable and only an electrician should deal with this situation. We are always happy to take your call and to deal with any electrical burning emergencies caused by a FAULTY BOILER SWITCH or other electrical accessory.

When wires become overheated and burn they fail to make a good electrical connection with the terminals that secure them. This means that no power can get to the boiler and the boiler will appear off. It is likely that in fact there is a live supply to the boiler but perhaps not sufficiently good enough to ensure it comes on and operates.

3) The boiler switch is loose and hanging off the wall, can you help?

Yes we can. We regularly carry out works that involves repairs, rectification of poor workmanship and wiring that is potentially dangerous. We are happy to come and make things safer whenever we can. In order to carry out this kind of repair for you we will need to isolate the electrical supply to the boiler switch in order that we can work safely. This kind of repairs does not take long and can normally be carried out the same day as other works.

4) The boiler switch is badly cracked and looks dangerous, can you fix it?

Yes. The best way to fix this situation would be to isolate the power and then swap the accessory. This is best left to an electrician that could test their work afterwards to ensure compliance with the wiring regulations. Whenever we swap electrical accessories, carry out electrical repairs or anything more major we always carry out some level of electrical testing using our test equipment.

When a boiler switch is badly cracked we often replace the part and carry out any other necessary repairs to the part whilst we are there. Such as ensuring that the electrical fuse is the right size for the application, the cables are in good condition and that any flexible cables have been properly crimped and terminated to ensure a good electrical connection.

5) There is no power to my boiler, could the boiler switch be faulty?

Possibly yes. This first thing that we would do is check the fuse to see if it has blown. After this we would carry out further testing and fault finding to see if any other issues are present.

6) My boiler wont turn on can you fix it?

We normally only deal with the electrical side of things however there are times that we discover that the boiler is the problem and not the electrical side to it. At the time of writing we are also GAS SAFE registered and are able to investigate your boiler issues for you as well. We are not experts in boilers by any stretch but we are able to investigate electrical failures to the boiler and inside the boiler. We have a strong network of reliable colleagues whom we can refer to if needed and in instances where a boiler repair or replacement may be needed we are happy to recommend appropriate, qualified persons to do this for you.

7) My boiler switch is discoloured, what is this likely to be?

When an electrical accessory becomes discoloured such as yellowing or browning of the plastic it can be a sign that all is not well with the accessory. The discolouration can happen due to age however, if the discolouration is happening only in one place then this can be a sign that there is melting or burning happening behind the accessory and you should call us immediately so that we can come  and investigate.

Whatever problem you are having, if you suspect that you have a FAULTY BOILER SWITCH then you should let us know straight away. It's best to have these things checked before further damage is done.