Do You Need a Furnace Cutoff Switch on an Electric Boiler?

Purpose

• Emergency cutoff switches on boilers are generally referred to as low water cutoff controls. These controls are designed to shut down the entire heating system when the water level gets too low. This prevents the boiler from trying to operate with too little water, because operating with insufficient water can result in significant damage to the heating system and could cause an explosion. These cutoff switches work by shutting off power to the gas or oil burner when the water level reaches the predetermined low point.

Electronic Switches

• Many newer boiler systems use an electronic cutoff switch sensor rather than a mechanical one. Electronic sensors tend to be safer because they reduce the chance of a cutoff malfunction. Older boiler systems tended to use mechanical shut-off valves that simply floated in the water. These valves were subject to malfunction because they easily could be clogged with sediment as a result of the boiler's constant water usage.

Thermal Overload Switches

• Many heating and cooling systems of this type also have a thermal overload reset switch that has to be reset once the emergency shutoff switch has been triggered. Not all systems have a reset switch, but the motor may not start if it has shut down because it got too hot. Typically, these reset switches are located on the outside of the motor casing, and the furnace can be reset simply by pushing in the reset button.

Maintenance

• You should have your boiler serviced regularly to ensure the emergency shutoff switch and other features are working properly. A qualified service technician can test these features to confirm they are functioning the way they should. Properly maintaining the boiler promotes safe system operation and helps prevent an emergency situation.