Low water cut offswitch

They're actually resistance wires, typically copper or nichrome, wrapped in a water-resistant polymer. Nichrome is an alloy of nickel and chromium with high electrical resistance — ideal for producing heat. These wires are zigzagged through a mat and then wired for electricity. Think of a large, rolled-up electric blanket without the fabric and you'll get the picture.

A red light within the LWCO module confirms the presence of water at the probe. In this case, test the Water High Limit. (see Figure 4).

Low water cut offboiler

Let's say you've decided on a hydronic RFH system. The first thing you should know is that it'll cost you more upfront than a standard furnace unit. A forced-air system for a 2,000 square foot (610 square meter) home will cost about $4,000 to $8,000 [source: Fixr]. A hydronic radiant floor heating unit with a boiler will run $14,000 to $44,000 [source: Forbes Home]. The RFH system is more efficient though, and lasts longer. Standard furnaces last between 10 and 25 years, while the RFH system will get you up to 40 years' use.

Because an electric RFH system is usually used for single rooms, it's controlled either with a simple flick of a switch or automatically by thermostat. Since electric RFH system heating coils are installed between the subfloor and the floor covering itself, heating time is short. It typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour to heat your floor and room. Set the thermostat to turn up the heat an hour before you get out of bed, and warm, cozy bathroom tile will be ready to greet your bare feet.

Low water cut offfor steam boiler

Electric or hydronic, RFH offers a number of home heating options. To learn more about home heating and construction, please visit the links on the following page.

Filter: All Files Submit Search Troubleshooting Low Water Cut-off (LWCO) or Water High Limit errors in SL boilers (non-G3 boilers) Error Boiler Model LWCO / Water High Limit error SL 80-399, SL G1 & G2 boilers with optional LWCO module Warning   For your safety, turn off the electrical power supply at the service panel, and allow the appliance to cool before proceeding. The ability to perform service on this equipment requires certain expertise, mechanical skills, tools, and equipment. If you do not possess these, do not attempt to perform any service on this equipment. Failure to follow this warning could result in possible in damage to this equipment, serious personal injury, or death. Cause of LWCO errors Typically, a Low-Water Cut-Off error appears when the LWCO probe (see Figure on page 1) detects the presence of air. Energizing the boiler pump when the control board (with LWCO safety circuit) is initially powered up can trigger a LWCO error. Automatic air vents should be installed to serve the top of the boiler. After a LWCO error, test the automatic air vents. Note that poor water quality or excessive pressure can interfere with the float action of automatic air vents. If this error is accompanied by a Check Ignition Module error, resolve the LWCO / Water High Limit error first. In most cases, this will also clear the Ignition Module error. Restoring operation after a LWCO error or Water High Limit error Purge air from the system. Press the LWCO module Reset button until the red light on the module comes back on (see Figure on page 1 and Figure on page 1). On some older boilers the buttons are near the air pressure sensor. Figure:  LWCO test and reset buttons on top of controller chassis Clear the error in the touchscreen controller or allow the system to time out. To clear the error, go to the Main Menu > Diagnostics >Advanced Diagnostics > Clear Errors> Yes>OK. Diagnosing a LWCO error or Water High Limit error If your boiler model is an SL 80-399, determine whether the LWCO / Water High Limit error refers to the Low-Water Cut-Off or to the Manual Reset Water High Limit. To do this: Examine the LWCO module. The boiler may be accessible via a swing-out door on the left side of the controller (see Figure 2), or visible directly behind the controller (see Figure 3). Figure:  LWCO accessed to the left of the fixed controller Figure:  LWCO module located behind the touchscreen controller A red light within the LWCO module confirms the presence of water at the probe. In this case, test the Water High Limit. (see Figure 4). Figure:  Water High Limit Reset button on the supply piping To test the Water High Limit, check the voltage drop across the Water High Limit switch by testing the screws (through the circular access holes) immediately above and immediately below the red reset button. If you find nominal 24V between the two points, the Limit Switch is open and must be reset by pressing the red button. A click should be audible and the voltage drop across the switch should return to 0V. The switch is rated at 200°F. Investigate the cause of the tripping. Water high limit errors may be caused by stagnant system water. Check for intermittent pump operation, pump post-purge time set to zero, and for possible overheating from other heat sources (such as multiple boilers piped in parallel without check valves). Diagnosing a persistent LWCO / Water High Limit error If the LWCO probe is immersed in water, but the LWCO module cannot be reset using the reset button (see Figure on page 1), or the error returns after being cleared, the LWCO safety circuit may be the issue. For older models without test and reset buttons, reset by powering the boiler off and back on. Power off the boiler, and remove the LWCO module from its base by pulling it straight upwards. Reset the module and power the boiler back on. Often circuit troubles can be resolved by remaking contacts between the module’s 11 pins and its base. If the light never appears on the LWCO module, check for power: nominally 24V between terminals 1 (yellow wire) and 3 (blue wire) on the module base. If the module light does not stay on after being reset, jumper the yellow and green leads to the LWCO probe (see Figure on page 1). If the module red light then stays lit, the problem is not with the module. See Testing the LWCO probe. A jumper across the LWCO probe should allow you to reset the module and produce a solid light that stays on. If it doesn’t, check your connections and replace the module including its base if necessary. If the LWCO light is on, but the error persists, the module relay may have failed. When the red light is on there should be 0V difference between the LWCO base terminals 1 (yellow wire) and 10 (orange wire). If 24V is found there when the red light is on, replace the module including its base if necessary. Testing the LWCO probe If the red light on the LWCO module flashes, the module may be detecting a weak current through the probe. If the red light on the LWCO module stays on only when the yellow and green leads to the LWCO probe are jumpered together, reinstall, clean or replace the probe.Figure:  LWCO probe Inspect the probe for signs of corrosion. Probe should not be installed with Teflon tape on its threads, as this tends to electrically isolate the ground side of the probe. IBC requires that the pipe dope used on these threads be a conductive type, e.g. Masters® Metallic Compound, Permatex® Copper Anti-Seize Compound, Never Seez® Pure Nickel Special Anti-Seize, or do not use pipe dope.The electronic probe is designed to work with a range of electrically conductive hydronic fluids. If reverse-osmosis purified water has been used to fill the system its very low conductivity will trip this alarm. Please note that using reverse-osmosis water also reacts with the stainless steel heat exchanger, and will void the warranty on the boiler. Boilers without a LWCO module In every IBC SL-series boiler there is a provision in the wiring harness for tying in a future LWCO device if one is not installed in the factory. This takes the form of a jumper visible in the field wiring box. Removing or damaging the Molex connector with this jumper would result in a LWCO error even if boiler has no LWCO device. Separate the Molex connectors to access the jumper for a resistance test, and repair or replace as necessary. Figure:  Jumper for LWCO circuit   IBC Technologies Inc 1-844-HEAT-IBC Technical Support Report Website Errors

There are two kinds of padding used on carpets — slab and ribbed. Slab pads are flat and ribbed and have a waffle pattern. A 3/8 inch (.68 centimeter) slab foam rubber pad is recommended for RFH systems with carpeting.

If your boiler model is an SL 80-399, determine whether the LWCO / Water High Limit error refers to the Low-Water Cut-Off or to the Manual Reset Water High Limit.

Electric radiant heating works best with floors made of ceramic tile, but it can be used with most types of flooring, including hardwood floors. Carpet is thicker and doesn't conduct heat as well as tile or hardwood flooring, but selecting the correct padding can greatly increase the amount of heat you'll get.

The popularity of radiant heating ­systems is surging, and you don't have to be a homebuilder to understand why. Picture this: it's a cold morning, and you awaken to snow falling outside your bedroom window. It's hard to peel yourself from the coziness of your down comforter — but your morning cup of joe isn't going to make itself.

When you factor in the cost of a radiant floor heating unit, keep in mind that electric systems rarely have problems. When they do, a homeowner can troubleshoot and make most repairs. Make sure to turn off the power before inspecting, repairing or replacing any panels.

boilerlow watercut-off failure

Your boiler or water heater is linked to a manifold — a system of separate pipes that channel water from a single source into different zones. This way, you can heat each area of your home separately from a single programmable thermostat. From the manifold, the hot water is sent through a pattern of PEX tubing by a re-circulating water pump. PEX is polyethylene tubing that's leak-free, non-toxic, flexible and capable of handling high temperatures.

The concrete acts as a thermal mass to retain heat so that you have a large, hot block under your floor. Concrete owes its ability to retain heat to its density and low conductivity. Wood has a very high conductivity — think of how quickly wooden decks or benches cool off when the sun goes down.

A jumper across the LWCO probe should allow you to reset the module and produce a solid light that stays on. If it doesn’t, check your connections and replace the module including its base if necessary.

Though some radiant heat systems use radiant heating panels to distribute warmth throughout the home, the most common household radiant heating system option by far is radiant floor heating (RFH).

You slip out of bed and put your bare feet on a warm hardwood floor. When you head to the bathroom, you encounter heated ceramic tiles. In the kitchen, your feet meet a warm, tiled floor. Sounds like you're enjoying the benefits of radiant heating. Or, in this case, radiant floor heating.

Think of RFH like heat from the sun. On a sunny day, if you step from the shade into the sun, you'll feel warmer even though the air temperature is basically the same. This is how radiant floor heating works. Temperature throughout the room is more constant than with your standard forced-air system, where the air rises, cools and then falls to the floor.

So you've decided that you need a gas-fired boiler system on your newly constructed home. Before the flooring is put in place, your RFH specialist or general contractor will need to install your system. There are two types of installation — wet or dry. Wet installs layer either a slab of concrete beneath the subfloor or a thin sheet of concrete between the subfloor and the surface. Dry installs place the tubes directly beneath the subfloor during construction, without the concrete on top. The flooring surface — hardwoods, tile or carpeting, goes on top of the subfloor and picks up heat directly from the tubes.

Deciding which heat source to use depends on how large your house is and how cold it is where you live. For example, if you have a large home with high ceilings and live in Canada, you'll most likely need a boiler system. On the other hand, if you're building a smaller home in Florida, you can get away with using your regular water heater.

RFH systems fall into two categories — electric floor heating and hydronic floor heating. In this article, we'll cover the pros and cons, costs, and methods of installing radiant floor heating.

In every IBC SL-series boiler there is a provision in the wiring harness for tying in a future LWCO device if one is not installed in the factory. This takes the form of a jumper visible in the field wiring box. Removing or damaging the Molex connector with this jumper would result in a LWCO error even if boiler has no LWCO device. Separate the Molex connectors to access the jumper for a resistance test, and repair or replace as necessary.

An RFH system involves installing electric heating coils or water-heated tubing beneath the floors of your home. With an RFH system, the heat from the floor warms everything it touches and radiates throughout the room from the ground up.

Electric radiant floor heating (RFH) uses heat-conducting plastic mats containing coils warmed by electricity. So what are these heating coils? They aren't heated elements like you'd find in a space heater or on an electric stove.

Low water cut offcombi boiler

If the LWCO probe is immersed in water, but the LWCO module cannot be reset using the reset button (see Figure on page 1), or the error returns after being cleared, the LWCO safety circuit may be the issue. For older models without test and reset buttons, reset by powering the boiler off and back on.

If this error is accompanied by a Check Ignition Module error, resolve the LWCO / Water High Limit error first. In most cases, this will also clear the Ignition Module error.

Because of this thermal mass, systems with wet installs take longer to heat up and need to run longer. Those with dry installs are less expensive, but operate at higher temperatures because there's no thermal mass to store the heat. They also require reflective insulation under the tubes to direct the heat upward.

When you select a radiant floor heating (RFH) system, you'll choose either electric or hydronic. The amount of power it takes to heat an entire house with an electric RFH system isn't cost-effective, so if you're heating your whole house, then hydronic heating systems are the way to go. Are you building a new house or renovating an older home? If it's new construction, a hydronic system is probably the best choice. You can install hydronic systems in an existing home, but you'll have to tear up the flooring, which is expensive and a lot of work.

The concept for RFH isn't new. Ancient Romans used hot water pipes to warm floors, and it's been the preferred heating system in Europe since the 1970s. Aside from the long-term cost benefits, RFH heating is silent heat, with no loud air ducts or furnaces to deal with. It's also better than forced air systems for people with allergies — eliminating blown air can reduce dust mites significantly [source: Bottini Fuel].

Maintenance for a hydronic system is minimal — the boiler needs an annual check-up, but most modern pumps use water to lubricate the parts and are low-maintenance. However, if your system breaks, you'll need to hire a professional, because fixing it can be complicated. It's also expensive. In some cases a unit is beyond repair and must be replaced, which costs about the same as a first-time installation.

Low water cut offtroubleshooting

The electronic probe is designed to work with a range of electrically conductive hydronic fluids. If reverse-osmosis purified water has been used to fill the system its very low conductivity will trip this alarm. Please note that using reverse-osmosis water also reacts with the stainless steel heat exchanger, and will void the warranty on the boiler.

Low water cut offvalve

Typically, a Low-Water Cut-Off error appears when the LWCO probe (see Figure on page 1) detects the presence of air. Energizing the boiler pump when the control board (with LWCO safety circuit) is initially powered up can trigger a LWCO error.

Aside from basking in consistent warmth from the floor to the ceiling, some people look for savings benefits with RFH systems. More economical to operate than furnaces, RFH can slash heating costs by 25 to 50 percent [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. New homes are the best candidates for a whole-house RFH system, but your existing home can also be successfully retrofitted. Some people with older homes choose single-room installations, like a kitchen or bathroom, instead of a whole-house system.

You can also install hydronic radiant heating tubes to heat your driveway and sidewalk. That's right -- no more snow shoveling. You'll be the envy of your neighbors when you wake up to two feet of the white stuff -- but with a clear, clean driveway and sidewalk. You could also be saving your life -- many people die every year from heart attacks or accidents involving snow-shoveling [source: O'Connor].

Automatic air vents should be installed to serve the top of the boiler. After a LWCO error, test the automatic air vents. Note that poor water quality or excessive pressure can interfere with the float action of automatic air vents.

low watercut-off sensor

For your safety, turn off the electrical power supply at the service panel, and allow the appliance to cool before proceeding. The ability to perform service on this equipment requires certain expertise, mechanical skills, tools, and equipment. If you do not possess these, do not attempt to perform any service on this equipment. Failure to follow this warning could result in possible in damage to this equipment, serious personal injury, or death.

Unfortunately, there's no way to install the heating mats without first tearing up your existing floor, so the ideal time to make the switch to a radiant heat system in your bathroom, sunroom or kitchen would be during a renovation. Once the flooring is removed, just lay the mats and tile over them. The tile glue and grout won't affect the heating mats. Once the flooring is back in place, you can literally forget about the heating mats — they require no regular maintenance.

Examine the LWCO module. The boiler may be accessible via a swing-out door on the left side of the controller (see Figure 2), or visible directly behind the controller (see Figure 3).

On installation day, you or your contractor will roll out the mats and put the flooring material in place. Most people choose to go with electric RFH just for individual rooms since the cost of electricity makes this system quite expensive for heating an entire house. You can save money if your local power company charges less for off-peak usage. Cheaper nighttime power rates allow consumers to charge the heating elements overnight for less money — then the heat is used over the course of the following day.