Installation must be carried out by a qualified plumber.
XTEND elements are fitted just like any other element with one key difference: The thermostat is lower in the geyser with XTEND than with a standard element.
Because hot water rises (thermal stratification), the hottest water collects at the top of the geyser.
For this reason, when installing an XTEND element, it is recommended to reduce the thermostat setting by 5-10°C from the original setting, in line with SANS Regulations. Failure to do so may result in excessively hot water.
50mm Flange Mount Model Fitment
Install XTEND elements in the same manner as standard resistive elements.
- Do NOT allow water to enter the grub screw hole during installation.
- Tighten the grub screw firmly using the supplied Allen key.
- When replacing an element, it is recommended to replace the thermostat and sacrificial anode(s) at the same time.
- Handle the thermostat carefully — knocking or dropping it can cause it to fail.
35mm Boss / Screw-in Model Fitment
Some screw-in spiral elements have a thermostat pocket in the centre. The PTC design does not allow this. The thermostat pocket must be separate when the XTEND screw-in element is installed.
Some geysers have a separate pocket, and some have a spare port that can be used as a pocket. This requires some additional parts.
The thermostat setting will depend on the position relative to the element.
-
Turn the thermostat down 10°C from the original setting.
- Refit the two cables (live & neutral) to the thermostat and earth the geyser.
Installation must be carried out by a qualified plumber.
XTEND elements are fitted just like any other element with one key difference: The thermostat is lower in the geyser with XTEND than with a standard element.
Because hot water rises (thermal stratification), the hottest water collects at the top of the geyser.
For this reason, when installing an XTEND element, it is recommended to reduce the thermostat setting by 5-10°C from the original setting, in line with SANS Regulations. Failure to do so may result in excessively hot water.
50mm Flange Mount Model Fitment
Install XTEND elements in the same manner as standard resistive elements.
-
-
Ensure NO WATER gets inside the grub screw hole during fitment.
- Fitment is the same as with a standard geyser element.
-
35mm Boss / Screw-in Model Fitment
Some screw-in spiral elements have a thermostat pocket in the centre. The PTC design does not allow this. The thermostat pocket must be separate when the XTEND screw-in element is installed.
Some geysers have a separate pocket, and some have a spare port that can be used as a pocket. This requires some additional parts.
The thermostat setting will depend on the position relative to the element.
-
Turn the thermostat down 10°C from the original setting.
- Refit the two cables (live & neutral) to the thermostat and earth the geyser.
Installation must be carried out by a qualified plumber.
XTEND elements are fitted just like any other element with one key difference: The thermostat is lower in the geyser with XTEND than with a standard element.
Because hot water rises (thermal stratification), the hottest water collects at the top of the geyser.
For this reason, when installing an XTEND element, it is recommended to reduce the thermostat setting by 5-10°C from the original setting, in line with SANS Regulations. Failure to do so may result in excessively hot water.
50mm Flange Model Fitment
- Do NOT allow water to enter the grub screw hole during installation.
- Tighten the grub screw firmly using the supplied Allen key.
- When replacing an element, it is recommended to replace the thermostat and sacrificial anode(s) at the same time.
- Handle the thermostat carefully — knocking or dropping it can cause it to fail.
35mm Boss / Screw-in Model Fitment
Some screw-in spiral elements have a thermostat pocket in the centre. The PTC design does not allow this. The thermostat pocket must be separate when the XTEND screw-in element is installed.
Some geysers have a separate pocket, and some have a spare port that can be used as a pocket. This requires some additional parts.
The thermostat setting will depend on the position relative to the element.
-
Turn the thermostat down 10°C from the original setting.
-
Refit the two cables (live & neutral) to the thermostat and earth the geyser.
Troubleshooting Guide
Water not hot or lukewarm
If the geyser is not heating up, the following could be the cause:
1. Faulty mixing valve
2. Reverse thermosiphoning
3. Hot water leak
4. Ring main
5. Faulty timer or controller
6. Faulty thermostat
7. Faulty wiring or circuit breaker
8. Faulty element.
Please check all of the above before assuming it is the XTEND element.
Troubleshooting Guide
Water not Hot or Lukewarm
If the geyser is not heating up, the following could be the cause:
1. Faulty mixing valve
2. Reverse thermosiphoning
3. Hot water leak
4. Ring main
5. Faulty timer or controller
6. Faulty thermostat
7. Faulty wiring or circuit breaker
Please verify the troubleshooting steps above before concluding that the unit is fault.
Tripping Earth Leakage or Circuit breaker
XTEND elements require a high current on start-up due to the ceramic chips inside needing more power upon start-up than standard resistive elements.
If the element is tripping, it could be due to any of the following:
1. Circuit breaker is faulty or very old
2. The wiring is loose around the circuit breaker
3. Connecting wires are too small or loose
4. The thermostat is faulty
5. The circuit breaker is too small
6. Dead short in the cable
7. Water inside the element will cause a short (This can trip the entire DB)
Please ensure the entire electrical circuit is checked for potential faults before returning the XTEND element as defective. The element is rarely the source of the malfunction.
Setting the Thermostat Correctly
XTEND Elements:
1. are at least 25% more efficient
2. locate the thermostat at the bottom of the geyser
For this reason, it is essential to adjust the thermostat setting to prevent overheating and to maximise savings.
Most houses set thermostats around 60°C, some at 65°C, others at 55°C
With XTEND elements it is possible to set the thermostat 10°C to 15°C lower than standard, depending on the number of hot water users.
For more information you can always call our XTEND elements Hotline on 087 057 9126
Please verify the troubleshooting steps above before concluding that the unit is fault.
Tripping the earth leakage or circuit breaker
XTEND elements require a high current on start-up due to the ceramic chips inside needing more power upon start-up than standard resistive elements.
If the element is tripping, it could be due to any of the following:
1. Circuit breaker is faulty or very old
2. The wiring is loose around the circuit breaker
3. Connecting wires are too small or loose
4. The thermostat is faulty
5. The circuit breaker is too small
6. Dead short in the cable
7. Water inside the element will cause a short (This can trip the entire DB)
Please ensure the entire electrical circuit is checked for potential faults before returning the XTEND element as defective. The element is rarely the source of the malfunction.
Setting the thermostat correctly
