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Residential Hydronic System

After flushing the float chamber and the system started up there was a repetitive clanking noise in the distribution pipes and one of the components (see attached photo) started to overheat to the point that the smoke alarm went off - although there was no visible smoke but a smell of sorts in the air. Only one of the radiators was receiving any heat. Does anyone here have any thoughts of what is happening and offer possible solutions?


Comments

  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,313
    I have to plead to you that I have never seen a circulator with a steam system if that is what you have.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,511
    That's an electric side arm heater.

    You probably don't have good flow through it which is causing it to overheat.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,255
    As @Ironman correctly stated that is an electric heating element heating a hydronic (hot water) system. Before you energize this heating element:

    Make sure the system is full of water and vented
    make sure the circulator is running and moving water
    Make sure all valves in the system are fully open

    Failure to do this will cause a failure (burn out) of the electric element and you will have to replace it.

    I don't know who made that heater, maybe Chromolox, or Warren Electric
    Ironman
  • Henry
    Henry Member Posts: 998
    Is the pump working?