I have a Potterton Performer 30 HE combi boiler and I've been told the circuit board has gone. How much is a replacement and how easy is it to fit.

Mick, September 2009

Well for the purposes of the act - Work means paid work.

And yes if you're working on another person's boiler there may well be safety checks to carry out - but if I'm working on my boiler and I don't interrupt the gas way then I am not bound by the regulations in any way - I can do as I please.

The PCB does not control the gas rate or the fan speed - to claim that it does is wrong. The general case is that Gas-Safe Engineers usually know nothing of electronic controls which is why so many of them resort to guessing.

Peccavi - back from the grave..., March 2015

If you are reading this thread please make sure you visit the link that was mentioned earlier:

http://kaijaks.co.uk/blog/nick/2008/02/10/dodgy-old-boiler

Dave, January 2011

I want to do a course on Circuit Board repair could anyone advise me on how to go about this.

O Tailor, November 2010

The definition of 'work' means the use of tools on any part of the boiler and is not up to some random unqualifed person to question this. If a part is for the end user to remove then it can de done without use of tools. And in the case of this boiler, the pcb contols the gas rate / fan speed, ignition and all safety devices, so you cannot replace this part without checking the safety and operation of the appliance.

Ian, September 2009

You're still putting back into operation something that could potentially kill an innocent person.
You cant just repair a boiler and go- ta da there you go it works again all is well and i didnt even have to break into the gas supply.

Ive seen someone replace a pump to get the boiler working again, brilliant and no gas work. Not that brilliant when failed to realise the combustion test point was missing.

Regs are there to guide and instruct but also anyone who abides by them in their profession should also have a bit of common sense and shouldn't be looking for slight terminology differences and loop holes to cover their a**e.

We know the pcb is pretty straight forward to change and shouldnt require more than hmmm where does this unique shaped connector fit, however we still need to prove correct burner pressure, gas rate, readings, etc etc before we leave. Do we do it just to waste time, or is it more to make sure all is ok?

rant, September 2009

You may well have a valid point Ian and a good argument can continue between us...

As I see it there are four categories of Person who may do work on a gas applaince -

Registered persons - must obviously obey the rules

Unregistered persons - must not do anything
Landlords or their agents - ditto not do anything

Householders - can virtually do whatever they like providing they don't disturb a gasway

The Part E regulation you mention says...
(9) Where a person performs work on a gas appliance he shall immediately thereafter examine -
(a) the effectiveness of any flue;
(b) the supply of combustion air;
(c) its operating pressure or heat input or, where necessary, both;
(d) its operation so as to ensure its safe functioning,

And raises three questions for me - What is "work" - I suspect this means things done by a third party weather for payment or not - a householder removing a screw could be described as work I suppose but it's a very thin interpretation.

Secondly - Given that Part A specifically says the regulations don't apply if it's a control and the gasway remains undisturbed then; Is a PCB a control? - I maintain that it is a user control within the meaning of the regulation and wonder if this have ever been tested in law? I am the only person who makes use of the PCB in my boiler - it's undoubtedly a control device - I just don't touch it very often but not only is it primarily for my use - it's solely for my use.

If you're right then I (and thousands of others too) am a lawbreaker - I expect the HSE to come down on me at any moment.

We should agree I think that the Regulation in Part A that I mention could be a little clearer - perhaps they made it deliberately vague?

Pip-pip

P, September 2009

Ignore what Peccavi is telling you in this case. A control device primarily for use by the user would refer to a timer or thermostat, not a pcb. It is not a user control device and has components which control and monitor safety devices. If open the front panel using any tools whatsoever, then it is classified as having done 'work' on the boiler and so the tests defined in GSIUR ('98) Reg 26(9) must be carried out, otherwise you are breaking the law.
So Peccavi, sunshine, perhaps some of us Enginers do know what we are talking about!

Ian, September 2009

Yes Take great care and certainly consider a certificated Gas Safety Engineer ... but don't let them scare you ... Not even Gas Safety Engineers know the Regulations as well as they might...

Part A General

(6) Nothing in these Regulations shall apply in relation to

(c) work in relation to a control device on a gas appliance if -

(i) the device is intended primarily for use by a consumer of gas; and

(ii) the work does not involve breaking into a gasway.

Peccavi, September 2009

Be careful about pecavvi's advice, as the reg include Flues, Boiler air box covers, and a lot of Boiler PCB's now control the Gas rate Electronically, it think the performa is one of these;

Really a Job for a Registered Gas Installer

www.elanar.co.uk, September 2009

You can find the cost on the web...

Here's a link to a site showing the replacement of a Potterton Profile PCB...

http://kaijaks.co.uk/blog/nick/2008/02/10/dodgy-old-boiler

which may well be similar to your boiler - one trick is to give yourself confidence by taking a photo with a digital camera - they expect heating engineers to do this so it can't be that difficult.

Ignore any reply that tries to suggests danger or illegality - The Gas Safety (Intallation & Use) Regulations 1998 specifically say you may do this work (uless you're a landlord) - just don't break into the gas pipes.

Good luck...

Peccavi, September 2009