Is it possible to repair termex water heaters with your own hands. Water heater Thermex (Termeks): the main malfunctions and tips for their elimination Termeks is 50 removing the regulator

Every summer, public utilities prepare for the next autumn-winter season and turn off hot water for a while.

A water heater becomes a real salvation for a city dweller for the period of planned work: it is enough to turn off the hot water supply valve and turn on the boiler so that hot water flows from the tap in a couple of hours.

However, any technique can fail, and a water heater is no exception. Often, when trying to start the boiler again, the user encounters an unexpected problem - the appliance does not turn on when the power button / buttons are pressed.

There may be several reasons for this problem, and all of them can be fixed by hand without calling the wizard.

To begin with, let's clarify what controls can be on the boiler, and what functions they perform.

Buttons on the body of the Termex water heater

As a rule, the following buttons and switches are present on the panel of water heaters (Termex, Ariston, Electrolux, etc.) with mechanical control:

  • Mode I - inclusion of the first heating element;
  • Mode II - switching on the second heating element;
  • Temperature regulator - when the thermostat knob is turned clockwise, the temperature rises to +75 degrees;
  • RCD button (residual current device) - works automatically when a current leakage occurs on the boiler body.

On the panel of modern models of Ariston storage heaters, you can also find additional buttons:

  • Eco - when pressed, the stagnant water purification/disinfection system starts. If you leave the ECO button on the water heater on, after a certain time (1-2 weeks), the disinfection system will automatically start once a month for preventive purposes;
  • FAST - button for turning on the fast heating system. By default, the boiler operates at the standard power level. Turning on the Fast button on the Ariston water heater starts an additional heating element, which speeds up the process of heating water.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Termex water heater buttons

All storage water heaters (boilers) work on the same principle, and have a similar device.

This is how the wiring diagram of the most common Termex electric water heater with mechanical control looks like:

As can be seen from the diagram, there is nothing complicated in the device device.

  1. The operation of two heating elements is regulated by a simple control panel, on which there are devices for monitoring and controlling heating.
  2. Thermostats installed inside the flask allow you to smoothly adjust the temperature in the range from +7 to +75 degrees.
  3. When the water in the storage tank cools down, the heating elements turn on again.

What to do if the Termex water heater does not turn on?

First you need to establish the cause of the problem. As practice shows, there may be several of them.

Here are the most common:

  • The socket is faulty, there is no voltage in the 220 V network. To check this, it is enough to connect any other working electrical device to the socket;
  • The integrity of the power wires is broken, there is no contact at the terminals of the heating element;
  • The on/off button itself failed. In this case, it will help to solve the problem replacement of the ON/OFF buttons on the water heater;
  • Worked water heater thermal protection button by breaking the electrical circuit. Thermal protection prevents overheating of water if for some reason the thermostat does not work. To start the boiler, you need to press the hidden thermal protection button. It is located directly on the thermostat block;
  • The residual current device (RCD) has tripped. With a single operation of the RCD, you can reset the emergency shutdown button of the water heater by pressing the red switch located on the device itself. If a repeated shutdown occurs, this indicates the presence of serious defects and the need for repair of the electrical appliance.

In rare cases, the problem may be a malfunction of the RCD itself. However, more often protection is triggered when the integrity of the heating elements is violated.

You can check the performance of the heating elements using a tester (measuring resistance). A damaged heating element cannot be repaired, but you can always purchase a new heating element and replace it.

VIDEO REVIEW

How to change the button for turning on the Termex water heater with your own hands?

For this you need:

  1. Disconnect the boiler from the network;
  2. Remove the decorative trim by unscrewing the fixing screws, remove the control panel;
  3. Disconnect the terminals going to the On / Off button;
  4. Press 4 clips that hold the button case;
  5. Remove button;
  6. Install a new one in its place, assemble everything in the reverse order.

How to reset the hidden thermal protection button and clean / replace the heating element?

For this you need:

  1. Disconnect the electrical appliance from the network;
  2. Shut off the water supply, drain all the water from the tank;
  3. Disconnect the water supply hoses (pipes) from the boiler;
  4. Remove the water heater from the wall, place it on a flat surface with the bottom up;
  5. Remove decorative trims, remove the control panel;
  6. At this stage, access to the thermal protection button, which is located on the thermostat housing, will appear. Pay attention to her position. If the button is unlatched, you must press it until a characteristic sound is heard. If this is not done immediately, then after cleaning or replacing the heating element, the boiler will not start.
  7. Unscrew the nuts of the flange that presses the heating element, disconnect all terminals, remove the heating element;
  8. If scale is found on the heating element, it should be removed. To do this, the heating element is placed for some time in water with citric acid (50 grams of citric acid per 3 liters of water);
  9. If the heating element has become unusable, it should be replaced. Take this opportunity to descale the tank to extend the life of the boiler. It is most convenient to do this with a hose with good water pressure;
  10. Assemble everything in reverse order. Since in order to replace the heating element it will be necessary to disassemble the water heater completely, it will not be superfluous to photograph or draw a diagram of the connection of individual elements in the process;
  11. Fill the tank with water, make a visual inspection for leaks, turn on the device.

The world-famous manufacturer of hot water equipment Termex has launched production in Russia. The devices are simple, and the repair of Termex water heaters can be done by a person with minimal locksmith skills. This is relevant, since not everywhere in the domestic open spaces you can find service centers. Having carefully studied the technical instructions, you can diagnose faults.

Basic information about the boiler device

The oldest concern for the production of hot water equipment for home use has been supplying its products to the country since 1995. It meets all international and Russian standards. The Termex brand also includes Champion, Quadro, Blitz devices. That is, their device is identical to the main brand. The Termex water heating equipment uses only wet and closed electrical elements as a heater. The product line includes;

  • storage devices of various capacities;
  • flow devices;
  • combined, flow-accumulative systems.

Timely cleaning and replacement of the anode will extend the life of the main element.

Regardless of the principle of accumulation and supply of water, the devices have common functional units that eventually become unusable and require repair:

  1. A storage tank consisting of a shell, an inner tank and a heat-insulating layer between them. The inner vessel is made of galvanized steel or has an enamel coating. Outer shell made of plastic or powder-coated metal.
  2. Heating complex in the form of one or two open elements and an anode for each of them. The electrodes are mounted with fastening on one platform, which is removed from the outside by unscrewing the fasteners.
  3. Process control equipment - temperature sensor, thermostats, electronic control systems, safety valve.
  4. Mounting gaskets, branch pipes, taps and valves for connecting the device to the system.
  5. Wiring with fuses, shield, and network arrangement, RCD and ground loop.

All internal storage tanks can be either enameled or galvanized. All of them have a magnesium anode paired with a heating element.

Flow systems use a dry element in a copper sheath, they do not accept scale, but are destroyed if there are aluminum parts in the liner. Water passing through an aluminum radiator carries ions that will destroy the copper body of the heater.

When Do You Need Water Heater Repair?

The first sign of a malfunction will be the absence or weak heating of water in the storage tank or flow system. An analysis of possible malfunctions is carried out. Water heater repair is required if:

  • no power supply signal, no current in the electrical circuit;
  • there is power, the indicator is on, but the water does not heat up - the heating element is out of order;
  • failed thermostat;
  • there were leaks or fistulas;
  • the anode needs to be replaced.

For self-repair, you will need a minimum set of tools and spare parts for the device - a spare heater assembly with gaskets, a magnesium electrode and seals. To unwind the fasteners, you will need keys, to descale - a brush, to examine the internal state of the enamel coating - a flashlight. 80 liters or another, do-it-yourself repairs in a certain sequence:


Lack of grounding accelerates the corrosion of all elements under water. In order not to rust the tank, the flanges do not wear out, a grounding loop is necessary.

It should be noted that a leak in the storage tank cannot be eliminated for many reasons. The inner tank is covered with enamel, welding will destroy it. But another insurmountable difficulty is the three-layer structure, when it is impossible to dismantle the inner tank without damaging the thermal insulation and the upper casing. Therefore, you need to treat the tank with care, knowing that it cannot be repaired.

How to take care of your water heater

The quality of the main water allows a high content of hardness salts. A concentration of magnesium and calcium salts harmless to humans precipitates on the surface of the heating element. The same layer of salts on the inner surface of the tank is not terrible. It increases the protective layer, becomes additional insulation. And the heating element needs to be cleaned annually, since the sediment does not conduct heat, the element overheats and fails. In an acidic solution of acetic or citric acid, the precipitate breaks down and the element becomes pure.

As a preventive measure against scale, you can use preliminary softening of water before supplying it to the water heater. For this, there are special water purification filters. Be sure to put a filter on the water supply line to remove suspended solids from the water and send them to the sump.

When should the master repair the water heater

Even a small Termex water heater 50 liters is repaired by professionals if:

  • the device is under warranty;
  • an emergency shutdown is triggered;
  • the electronic unit has reset the program, it can only be restarted by a specialist.

Sometimes the reason lies in the malfunction of the bypass valve. If it is not cleaned regularly, it may become unusable. If the RCD fails, then it must be replaced. But at the same time, the RCD does not allow the system to start working if a malfunction occurs somewhere in the circuit, the spiral burns out. The RCD is located on the supply cord in front of the plug.

Knowing the device of the water heater, carrying out timely care for it, you can ensure a long maintenance-free period of operation.

Self-repair of the Termex water heater - video

The manufacturer of household appliances Thermex attracts users not only with the quality and durability of products, but also with affordable prices. Therefore, the number of buyers is increasing every day. Unfortunately, even the most reliable equipment cannot be operated completely without breakdowns - Thermex water heaters also require periodic intervention by human hands. And if a reliable device has stopped working, then read on, as this article contains all the possible malfunctions of Termex water heaters and methods for their elimination.

What is required for work

Before you start solving a problem, you need to acquire a tool. If there is no desire to put the repair of water heaters on stream, then it is better to purchase inexpensive tools. For small household solutions, Chinese manufacturers are ideal.

The list of necessary tools for the repair of Termex boilers:

  • Pliers. The most common, without ergonomic handles made of environmentally friendly material.
  • Flat and figured screwdriver of medium length. In the future, it will come in handy around the house more than once.
  • Multimeter. Probably the most expensive device of the entire list. Allows you to measure the voltage of the electrical network, current strength, resistance and ring the wires for integrity.
  • Spanners. In order not to waste time, it is better to purchase a small set, which will also come in handy in the future.

The above tools are quite enough to troubleshoot water heaters. But in addition to this, some consumables are also required:

  • Insulating tape. Adhesive tape with high electrical insulating properties. Necessary when restoring the integrity of the wires. The electrical tape can be replaced with a more convenient heat shrink tube.

Heat shrink tubing in different colors

  • Sanitary sealant. Liquid sealant, used when replacing gaskets, when solidified, it forms a layer that prevents the flow of liquid. If desired, can be replaced with a more expensive automotive sealant.

An example of a simple plumbing sealant

Classification and design features

Knowledge of the device of the water heater will help to conduct high-quality diagnostics and quickly determine the malfunction. Thermex electric water heaters are divided into 3 main varieties:

Storage boilers

The main feature of such household appliances for 100 or 80 liters is the presence of an internal and external tank. The inner tank, as a part that is constantly in contact with water, is covered with a layer of glass porcelain. This technological solution eliminates the occurrence of corrosion. Polyurethane foam is poured between the outer and inner tank - a material that prevents heat loss.

Thermex storage water heater

In the lower part of the device there are water inlet and outlet pipes, as well as all electrical components: a thermostat, a temperature switch and a heating element - the main heating element. The heating element is a hollow metal tube with a spiral located inside, made of a material with high resistivity. Water is supplied to the boiler and heated by the heating element when it is turned on.

The main disadvantage of Termex storage boilers is the high corrosion of the internal cavity of the tank, due to the exchange of ions between the heating element and the walls of the boiler. To minimize this effect, a magnesium electrode is installed, which supplies the water with the necessary ions.

Water heaters Thermex flow type

They differ from storage boilers in smaller sizes and in a different principle of operation. The design of instantaneous water heaters provides for several heating elements - usually 2, but models with three or more heating elements are also available.

Water heater Thermex flowing

The heating elements are made of ceramic materials and are usually placed in a special copper cylinder. The installed power regulator allows you to control the temperature of the liquid passing through the boiler. Also, in addition to the regulator, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are installed. The pressure sensor turns off the water supply in case of exceeding its allowable amount in the water heater. And the temperature sensor is set to certain values, when exceeded, it turns off the heating elements.

Combined type

Such water heaters include a small volume tank from flow devices and a storage principle of operation from simple boilers. The heating element has a different design, which is why it can operate in two modes: both storage and flow devices.

Termex combined water heaters have received universal recognition due to their positive qualities:

  • Compact size, do not take up much space.
  • Practically not subject to corrosion, respectively - a long service life.
  • Combined mode of operation.
  • The average power, which is usually 2.5 kW. High-quality heating and low energy consumption.

The list of the main malfunctions of Termeks and ways to solve them

Now you can move on to the most common breakdowns of Termex boilers, and find out how they can be repaired with a minimum amount of time and effort.

The water heater stopped working, the indication lamp does not light up

Such a problem is quite rare, and a household appliance is not always to blame for this situation. The main reason for the failure of the water heater may simply be a faulty outlet, which will require a multimeter or indicator screwdriver to check.

The sequence of checking the operating voltage in the outlet:

  • Turn on the multimeter, set the AC voltage measurement parameter, and place the probes in one and the second hole of the outlet. The indication of the probes does not matter. Get quality contact. If the device shows 220 V with a slight deviation (plus or minus 10-15 V), then the socket is working. If the value is less than 200 V, or 0, then the socket needs to be repaired.

Checking voltage with a multimeter

  • You can also check the socket with an indicator screwdriver. Insert a screwdriver into the first and then into the second hole of the socket. Where the phase is located, the signal LED on the screwdriver will light up. When in contact with zero, the screwdriver will not burn.

Checking the socket with an indicator screwdriver

If the outlet is working, then use a multimeter to check the health of the water heater wire. To do this, the multimeter is switched on in the continuity mode and the probe is applied on one side to the plug, and on the other - to the terminal box of the boiler, where the supply wire fits. An audible signal means the integrity of the wire. If one or both wires are damaged, they should be replaced with new ones.

The boiler does not heat water, but the indicator lamp is on

This problem can be solved in only one way - by replacing the heating element. The indicator lamp shows that power comes to the heating element, but it does not work.

Removing the heating element from the water heater

The sequence of replacing the heating element in Termex water heaters:

  1. Disconnect the water heater from the industrial network by pulling the appliance plug from the socket.
  2. . Remove the pipe from the drain tap, put a rubber tube on it, which then lead into the bathroom or any container.
  3. Remove the protective plastic casing, which is fastened with metal screws hidden under the stickers from the manufacturer.
  4. Next, remove the operating voltage supply terminals from the heating element. They can be bolted, or put on the heating element using special connectors.
  5. Unscrew the bolts in the amount of six pieces that fasten the flange of the heating element to the water heater body.
  6. Remove the heating element and replace it with a new one. Installing a new heating element is carried out in the reverse order.

Before replacing a heating element, always make sure that it is definitely defective. To do this, you need to use a multimeter, which includes the resistance test mode. If the device shows zero, then this means a breakdown of the dielectric material and a short circuit of the wire to the body of the heating element. If the unit is a wire break inside the tube of the heating element.

Water heating is too slow

There are 3 possible causes for the failure:

  1. The heating element is covered with a layer of scale, which prevents the rapid heating of the liquid.

An example of a large amount of scale on the heating element

  1. The thermostat is partially out of order. Upon reaching a certain temperature (much less than the set one), the thermostat turns off the heating element if it breaks, or passes insufficient voltage to the heating element.
  2. In more modern water heaters, control and monitoring units are installed. If it breaks, there may be an insufficient supply of electricity to the heating element, this will be displayed as an error on the display.

To clean the heating element from scale, it must be removed from the water heater (described above) and placed in a plastic bath with a liquid that has active chemical elements. For example, you can use the household tool "Mole", it works very effectively when you need to get rid of scale or rust.

Cleaning the heating element from scale with your own hands

To replace the thermostat, you will need to remove it from the water heater. To do this, the device should be disconnected from the mains, remove the protective cover and get to the liquid supply pipe to the household appliance. Usually, it is on this tube that the thermostat is installed. It is fixed with four bolts, which must be unscrewed, and also the supply voltage terminals must be removed. The new element is installed in the reverse order.

The control and monitoring unit, unfortunately, is quite difficult to repair on your own. This requires an appropriate education related to electronic circuits, as well as the presence of a good multimeter, soldering iron and solder. Therefore, when stripping the control unit, it is best to send it in for repair.

The Termex water heater leaked - what to do?

The Termex boiler can start leaking both at the beginning of operation and after several years of operation. The main reasons for such a breakdown:

  • Numerous corrosion of the inner surface of the tank. Occurs if you do not pay attention to the health of the magnesium electrode.
  • Worn-out seal under the flange of the heating element.

Water leakage from under the heating element flange

  • Manufacturing defects.
  • The body of the water heater led, due to the excess of the permissible temperature and the thermostat not working.

Of all the above causes of leakage, only a leaky seal can be fixed on its own. To do this, it is enough to remove the flange, completely remove it from the boiler and change the seal. For the best effect, a sealant can be applied to the sealing gasket on both sides.

If the housing has become unusable, then the water heater can only be replaced, since it cannot be welded. A glass-ceramic layer is applied to the inner surface of the tank, which can be damaged by exposure to excessive temperatures, resulting in corrosion of the body. A new boiler must also be bought with the housing moved, which cannot be repaired even in the workshop.

Factory defects are determined almost immediately, it is enough to mount the water heater and connect it to the network. If the body of a new boiler is leaking, it can be replaced under the factory warranty.

Energized water heater housing

The situation is dangerous and requires immediate investigation, as one of the people in contact with the household appliance may be injured.

The reason that the Termex water heater starts to "punching on the body" when it starts up is a malfunction of the outer tube of the heating element. Because of what, water gets inside the heating element and contacts with a conductive spiral. There will be a small but life-threatening voltage on the case. Therefore, at the first sign of such a malfunction, the heating element should be replaced with a new one.

Less often, but still leads to the spread of operating voltage, a breakdown of the control unit, which must be immediately taken for repair.

A household water heater is an almost irreplaceable thing in the house, and its failure deprives us of exactly half of the amenities. Inexpensive models of water heaters that are installed in apartments are prone to minor problems. Is it always necessary to call the master or take the unit to a service center, paying for simple work? We offer you a brief overview of the main malfunctions of Termex water heaters, the repair of which will not be very difficult and will allow you to reasonably save money.

The body of the water heater in the eyes of an inexperienced owner looks impregnable, but in fact most models are close to a kettle with their device. Its main components are a tubular electric heater and a thermostat placed in the tank. In addition to them, magnesium anodes are used in Termex boilers. It is their wear that most often causes a serious breakdown of the water heater. How does this happen?

The heating element is a fechral wire placed in a copper tube with a dielectric filler. Tap water serves as an ideal medium for ion exchange between the copper sheath and other metal parts of the Termex tank. In fact, it gradually destroys metals with a high electrical potential, whether it be steel, galvanized or stainless, aluminum. To reduce this effect, a magnesium rod, the most active ion donor, is placed on the opposite edge of the container. When magnesium decays, copper corrodes the walls of the tank, and you will not be able to carry out repairs on your own.

In enameled Termex tanks, a scratch is enough for corrosion due to the small surface of the donor metal to come very quickly. To protect the enamel from damage associated with thermal expansion, a water hammer absorber is required (a 4-liter water heater is enough for a 100-liter water heater).

DIY repair


All Termex water heaters are equipped with an emergency shutdown function. It works in cases where the socket or heating element is faulty. Some types of breakdowns may not give a signal for the emergency mechanism, and the destruction process will be aggravated. If, after several years, the water heater suddenly began to weakly heat the water, it is a sure sign that the device needs to be opened and the cause checked.

Repair of electric water heaters Termeks horizontal type is not particularly difficult. The work consists of the following stages:

1. Shut off the cold liquid supply valve to the boiler, unplug the appliance from the socket.

2. Drain the water from the tank through the hose on the drain pipe. It is better to pour it into the toilet so as not to clog the drain of the bathroom or sink with accumulated scale.

3. Unscrew the hot water connection and open the non-return valve handle.

4. After disconnecting the hot and cold liquid supply hoses, you can remove the Termex water heater from the wall and conveniently place it upside down to make it easier to open the housing cover.

5. Unscrew a couple of self-tapping screws on the sides and the third one, usually sealed with a manufacturer's sticker. Remove the cover.

6. On the flange of the Termex water heater there are a heating element, a thermostat and a magnesium anode. Assess visually their condition. Cracks, strong traces of corrosion and a thick crust of scale are a clear problem.

7. To replace the heater, you need to disconnect three wires: red, blue and yellow.

8. The thermal protection sensors and the regulator are removed very carefully. The capillary copper tube is very thin and cannot be repaired if damaged.

9. Choose the heating element exactly for your Termex water heater model and in specialized stores to avoid fakes. Pay attention to how many holes for the thermostat on the old heating element - one or two?

10. Install a new heating element on the gasket in the same way. To avoid mistakes and "extra nuts", take step-by-step photos even when disassembling the boiler.

  • Rust destroys the flange if the water heater is idle with water. Do not neglect the simple rule of caring for the Termex boiler: turn it off from the network, drain the water to dryness.
  • Having disassembled the boiler, evaluate the degree of rusting of the flange. It probably needs to be cleaned and reused. The magnesium anode nut can also rust.
  • The tank overheating sensor (black) is connected to the body with gray thermal paste. If it is dry and cracked, it needs to be replaced.

The fight against scale


How to get rid of it? First of all - do not allow the boiler to work on hard water, put a pre-filter. And yet, the repair of storage water heaters from the manufacturer Termex usually begins precisely because of scale deposits that impede the flow of liquid. In no case should mechanical cleaning of the walls and pipes be used. The scratches you leave on the tank will cause it to corrode. Use cleaning products.

To destroy the limestone on the surface of the heating element and the tank, solutions of organic acids (citric, acetic) or an industrial composition for cleaning washing machines are used. Acid is taken in a ratio of 3-10% to 100% water. The solution must be hot. The container is washed with it, and the heating element is immersed in a suitable tank.

In the future, in order to prevent the formation of scale, you can install a magnetic converter on the Termex water heater. The cheapest method of struggle is to reduce the heat in the tank. Calcium and magnesium salts boil at +80 °C, which means that by setting the temperature to +60-70 °C on the thermostat, you will eliminate the conditions for the development of limescale.

According to reviews, do-it-yourself Thermex boiler repair is quite simple if you read the instructions in advance and have minimal locksmith skills.

When is a master needed?

There are cases when repair and maintenance of water heaters should be carried out only by specialists in a service center.

  • Your Thermex boiler is still under warranty. Do not remove the branded sticker, otherwise you may be denied free service.
  • An emergency shutdown has been triggered in the new machine. Small-capacity (5-20 liters) Thermex boilers are distinguished by such a defect. If this happens, do not set it to maximum power, but call the wizard.
  • Failure of the settings in the thermostat unit. In the event of a sudden power outage, the electronics may reset the set program. It must be restarted by a specialist.

Water heaters up to 150 liters of inexpensive domestic brands are in constant demand in city apartments and suburban areas. The cost of repairing the Termex Flat Plus IF 50V in service centers varies, but on average, with diagnostics and calling the master, it will cost 30% of the cost of the boiler. To prevent the water heater from becoming "golden", it is necessary to install it correctly and take measures against corrosion in advance.

Mounting errors

It happens that an incorrect installation system dooms the Termex water heater to permanent breakdowns. Such implicit errors include the occurrence of a galvanic couple inside the boiler. Ions move not only under the action of an electric field, but also along the flow of a liquid. And this means that the contact of copper through water with any foreign metal leads to its decay. A magnesium electrode is required to neutralize the aggressive influence of the heating element shell. Contact of copper and aluminum (or steel) at the joints should not be allowed. If they are inevitably present in the system, then the copper element must be downstream.

All Termex storage tanks are made of steel (galvanized or enamelled), and flow tanks are made of copper. Such tanks are not afraid of scale and do not need a magnesium anode, but they require care when installing. Do not combine aluminum radiators and fittings with a water heater. With proper operation, even an inexpensive boiler will serve for a long time and with high quality.