Pressurstat Adjustment/Removal – Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica

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The Elektra pressurstat (pressure switch) controls the steam pressure, which is proportional to the temperature of the boiler. Very rarely, the little switch on the side of the pressurstat fails, and the unit does not heat at all. The best way to check for this failure is with a continuity tester or multimeter.

The more common problem is the Elektra Microcasa SemiAutomatica overheating. This is caused by water damage – either purified water that oxidizes the inside of the pressurstat or limescale (magnesium or calcium) that damages the inside of the pressurstat. In most cases, this scenario causes the elasticity of the diaphragm inside the pressurstat to harden and no longer allow the switch to be depressed to turn off the power to the heating element.

These two water scenarios do not allow the switch behind the diaphragm to turn off the power to the heating element. In both of these scenarios, the unit should be descaled first, rinsed, and then have a new pressurstat installed. If only an adjustment is made or if there is no descaling before replacement, the overheating problem can occur within 10 days – the reason is that the limescale can damage the new pressurstat rather quickly.

The third cause of failure is the age of the pressurstat. The diaphragm may not be elastic enough to press the switch to turn the power off to the heating element.

Pressurstat Adjustment

  1. Unplug the machine and let it cool.
  2. Remove all the water from the top basin only. Do not empty the water in the boiler.
  3. Remove the screw under the drip tray with a 1/4 socket driver with a Phillips screw on the end.
  4. Lay the machine on its side on a towel.
  5. Peel the bottom cover from the back side. You will see a cylinder with a screw in the middle of one end and a tube on the other end. Looks like this. There will also be 2 wires attached to its side. Around the screw, you will see a small imprint of a line with two arrows. On the arrows, you will see a small “+” or “-” sign.
  6. Turn the screw a 1/2 turn toward the minus sign to lower the pressure. Only turn in half-unit increments and immediately test the machine by powering on. MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH WATER IN THE SIGHT GLASS BEFORE TESTING. Repeat adjustment as necessary. DO not adjust higher than 1.3 as the maximum of the range.

Pressurstat Removal

  1. Unplug the machine and let it cool.
  2. Remove all the water from the top basin only. Do not empty the water in the boiler.
  3. Remove the screw under the drip tray with a 1/4 socket driver with a Phillips screw on the end.
  4. Lay the machine on its side on a towel.
  5. Peel the bottom cover from the back side. You will see a cylinder with a screw in the middle of one end and a tube on the other end. Looks like this. There will also be 2 wires attached to its side. Around the screw, you will see a small imprint of a line with two arrows. On the arrows, you will see a small “+” or “-” sign.
  6. Disconnect the two wires, and you will need two wrenches – one to grip the pressurstat and one to turn the nut on the copper tubing. Teflon tape is not required as this is a compression fitting.

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