Power Flushing Newsletter - Kamco

Power Flushing Newsletter:June 2011Power flushing training sessionsWe still run training days covering power flushing in depth. Training takes placemost Thursdays and in the summer months it’s easier to fit people in. So, if you’vealways thought about coming in for training, now’s a good time to book.You probably have more time without the winter emergency calls, so why notinvest that time in becoming even more informed?Is it worth coming for training? Only you can decide, but an engineer who hasbeen flushing for almost ten years recently came in for training. We asked him if itwas worth it? Did he learn anything? The answer was “embarrassingly, quite a lot!”We don’t go into a lot of chemistry during the training sessions (unless you ask us to), as our aim is to give solidpractical advice on power flushing that gets you well informed and effective as quickly as possible.If you’d like to book a Thursday power flushing training session, check the Kamco website for available dates:www.kamco.co.uk/Training.htmThe annual boiler service......what else can you do to add value for the householder?Inevitably engineers look for servicing work at this time of year, and it makes a lot of sense for householders too, sothat when autumn and winter strike the heating system is in good condition and ready to go.You’ll know that it is mandatory under the Building Regulations to always add inhibitor to a heating system, but arecent survey showed that a large proportion of heating systems didn’t have enough inhibitor present, reducingprotection against corrosion and scale.There is a move to amend the Building Regulations in future to make it mandatoryto incorporate a check of inhibitor level when the annual heating system service iscarried out. A good idea, but why wait for that to happen?We already have customers actively promoting a check of the inhibitor level ofa system at the time of the boiler service. It’s good for the maintenance andintegrity of the system and makes you more income at this quieter time of theyear.You’ll need to know which inhibitor is in the system (there ought to be a label applied somewhere, probably on theboiler) in order to use the right test kit, as you need to use the test kit supplied by the inhibitor manufacturer.The correct test kit for use with our Systemsafe DM inhibitor is part number KTK020, and it includes enough reagentsfor 50 tests.Engineer’s tips...extension leadsDid you know that your choice of extension lead can have a significant impact on the performance of your powerflushing pump?Connecting your pump to the mains electricity supply with a long extension lead can cause poor motor performance,particularly if the lead is of low quality, uses thinner cable or is not unwound fully. This can result in a significantvoltage drop and failure of the motor’s capacitor.page 1t: +44 (0) 1727 875020 e: info@kamco.co.uk w: www.kamco.co.uk

Power Flushing Newsletter:June 2011Prices of magnetic filters...watch this space!On the subject of the CombiMag, every possible component except the magnet is made inthe UK. In common with virtually all rare earth magnets (these being the most powerful type) usedin magnetic filters, CombiMag magnets are made for Kamco in China.The ‘rare earth’ element used in these magnets is neodymium, and China is currently the major sourceof this element. Given the very large increase in demand for rare earth magnets (a tonne of magneticmaterial is used in every large wind turbine electricity generator that you see), and the fact that theChinese government is restricting exports of neodymium, the price of rare earth magnets is rocketing.This will affect all magnetic filters on the market, and so all manufacturers prices will be increasing rapidly.If you are considering investing in a power flushing filter in the near future, it’s best not to delay.Useful flushing tipsWhy do systems sometimes ‘gas’after power flushing, and needfrequent bleeding?We probably get asked this, ora similar question, about oncea month, so we have producednotes giving the background, whatto do and what the problem mayalso be caused by.The notes are on the Kamcoweb site right now, and thefollowing link will take youthere: http://www.kamco.co.uk/GuidanceNotes/PDF/Gassing.pdfKamco overseasSince our last e-mail newsletter, we have been doing our bit for Britain andendeavouring to export more.We’ve gained more customers for the descaling versions of our familiarClearflow pumps in India, and they are now inuse in companies moulding plastics, includinga major Ford motor company supplier. Watertreatment there doesn’t seem to be too goodand water quality is indifferent. Great!A CF90 Quantum is now power flushing heatingsystems, including under floor systems, inSouth Australia with great success and wehope to supply more in the future.Finally, in an unusual application, another CF90 Quantum is to be used to flushcooling circuits of marine engines and is currently testing in Norway.DWTA Buildcert corrosion inhibitor standardMost engineers will now be aware that there is an Industry Standard, the DWTA Buildcertstandard, which sets a minimum performance level for heating system corrosion inhibitors.To pass this standard, the inhibitor is tested by an approved laboratory independent of theinhibitor manufacturer, and if an inhibitor passes the standard performance test, it assuresyou that the product will reduce corrosion in a heating system.Look for the Buildcert logo on the inhibitor pack. If you want to ensure no water side problems with a system, andhappy boiler manufacturers, always use a Buildcert approved inhibitor.The inhibitor standard has been in existence for more than five years, and discussions are now taking place to makethe standard even more rigorous and to incorporate a test for pitting corrosion (that’s the type of corrosion that causesa pin hole in your radiator).This will make passing the standard even tougher - and, not surprisingly, some companies aren’t keen on this - butwe at Kamco are, and we think you, our customers, are too.Congratulations to Kamco customer and Newsletter subscriber, Dawn Venzetti of Plumb-Hers,on winning City Plumbing Supplies’ search to find Britain’s Favourite Plumberpage 2t: +44 (0) 1727 875020 e: info@kamco.co.uk w: www.kamco.co.uk