Nibe VPB 500 UK Use and care manual

User and Installer
manual
UN
VPB 500 UK
Indirect heated storage water
heater
CHB GB 1711-2
331976

Table of Contents
41 Important information
72 For the User
83 For the Installer
174 Technical data
20Item register
3Table of Contents |VPB 500 UK

Safety information
This manual describes installation and service procedures
for implementation by specialists.
This appliance can be used by children
aged from 8 years and above and per-
sons with reduced physical, sensory or
mental capabilities or lack of experience
and knowledge if they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use
of the appliance in a safe way and under-
stand the hazards involved. Children shall
not play with the appliance. Cleaning
and user maintenance shall not be made
by children without supervision.
Rights to make any design or technical
modifications are reserved.
©NIBE 2017.
Symbols
NOTE
This symbol indicates danger to person or ma-
chine .
Caution
This symbol indicates important information
about what you should observe when maintain-
ing your installation.
TIP
This symbol indicates tips on how to facilitate
using the product.
Marking
The CE mark is obligatory for most products sold
in the EU, regardless of where they are made.
CE
General
Serial number
The serial number can be found on top of the product.
Caution
Always give the product's serial number when
reporting a fault.
Recovery
Leave the disposal of the packaging to the in-
staller who installed the product or to special
waste stations.
Do not dispose of used products with normal
household waste. It must be disposed of at a
special waste station or dealer who provides this type of
service.
Improper disposal of the product by the user results in
administrative penalties in accordance with current legis-
lation.
Country specific information
User and Installer manual
This user and installer manual must be left with the cus-
tomer.
Great Britain
This installation is subject to building regulation approval,
notify the local Authority of intention to install.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended replacement
parts.
Benchmark places responsibilities on both manufacturers
and installers. The purpose is to ensure that customers
are provided with the correct equipment for their needs,
that it is installed, commissioned and serviced in accord-
ance with the manufacturers instructions by competent
persons and that it meets the requirements of the appro-
priate Building Regulations. The Benchmark Checklist
can be used to demonstrate compliance with Building
Regulations and should be provided to the customer for
future reference.
Installers are required to carry out the installation, com-
missioning and servicing work in accordance with the
Benchmark Code of practice which is available from the
Heating and Hotwater Industry Council who manage
and promote the Scheme. Visit www.centralheat-
ing.co.uk for information.
VPB 500 UKChapter 1 | Important information4
1 Important information

Warranty and insurance information
Thank you for installing a new NIBE water heater in your
home.
NIBE water heaters are manufactured in Sweden to the
very highest standard so we are pleased to offer our
customers a comprehensive guarantee.
The product is guaranteed for 24 months for parts and
labour from the date of installation or 33 months from
the date of manufacture, whichever is the shorter.
The NIBE guarantee is based on the unit being installed
and commissioned by a NIBE accredited installer, serviced
every year and the Benchmark documents completed.
Where this condition is not met, any chargeable spare
parts or components issued within the applicable guar-
antee period still benefit from a 12 month warranty from
the date of issue by the manufacturer.
We recommend the installer completes and returns as
soon as possible, your guarantee registration card or
completes the guarantee form on the NIBE website
www.nibe.co.uk.
Please ensure that the installer has fully completed the
Benchmark Checklist in the end of the Installation Instruc-
tions supplied with the product and that you have signed
to say that you have received a full and clear explanation
of its operation. The installer is legally required to com-
plete a commissioning checklist as a means of complying
with the appropriate Building Regulations (England and
Wales).
All installations must be notified to Local Area Building
Control either directly or through a Competent Persons
Scheme. A Building Regulations Compliance Certificate
will then be issued to the customer who should, on re-
ceipt, write the Notification Number on the Benchmark
Checklist.
This product should be serviced regularly to optimise its
safety, efficiency and performance. The service engineer
should complete the relevant Service Record on the
Benchmark Checklist after each service.
The Benchmark Checklist may be required in the event
of any warranty work and as supporting documentation
relating to home improvements in the optional docu-
ments section of the Home Information Pack.
5Chapter 1 | Important informationVPB 500 UK

Inspection of the installation
Current regulations require the heating installation to be inspected before it is commissioned. The inspection must
be carried out by a suitably qualified person.
DateSignatureNotesDescription
✔
Heat pump (page 14)
Shut off valves
Venting valve
Shut off valve
Hot water (page 14)
Shut off valves
Mixing valve
Expansion vessel
T&P valve
Tundish
Cold water (page 14)
Shut off valves
Non-return valve
Safety valve
Tundish
Electricity (page 16)
Connected supply
Sensors
Temperature limiter
Miscellaneous
Benchmark checklist
VPB 500 UKChapter 1 | Important information6

Maintenance
Safety valve
The function of the safety valves must be regularly
checked, about four times a year, to prevent clogging.
To inspect the valve, open the safety valve manually and
check that water flows through the overflow pipe. If this
does not happen then the safety valve is defective and
must be replaced.
Emptying
1. Cut the current to the immersion heater and solenoid
valve.
2. Shut off the incoming cold water.
3. Open the drain connection, or the drain valve (en-
closed) if installed.
During draining, air must be let into the water heater by
loosening a hot water connector (XL4) or opening a hot
water tap.
To ensure that the water heater drains completely, a
hose, or a pipe, with an outlet below the lowest level of
the water heater must be attached to the drain connec-
tion or drain valve. When installed in a location that is
exposed to the risk of frost, the water heater must be
emptied whenever it is not in operation. Freezing will
result in the water heater bursting.
Service
For service, contact the installer. Serial number (PF3) (14
digits) and installation date should always be stated.
Only replacement parts supplied by NIBE may be used.
NOTE
If immersion heaters are installed, please ensure
that therminal cut-out are also installed.
7Chapter 2 | For the UserVPB 500 UK
2 For the User

General
VPB 500 UK is a water heater, which is suitable for con-
nection to heat pumps.
The water tank consists of a steel jacket, with a copper
lining to protect against corrosion. The water heater is
equipped with a copper finned tube.
The water heater is designed and manufactured for a
maximum cut-off pressure of 6 bar in the water tank.
Maximum permitted temperature is 90 °C.
The insulation is Neopor and polyester fleece, which
provides excellent heat insulation. The insulation and
grey plastic outer cladding can be removed easily to
simplify moving the water heater through doorways, for
example.
VPB 500 UK can be equipped with an immersion heater.
Transport
VPB 500 UK should be transported and stored vertically
in a dry place. The VPB 500 UK may, however, be carefully
laid on its back when being moved into a building.
R
0
+2
0
-2
1
R
0
HMflow 49(50)°C
Hotwater
51°C
+2
0
-2
1
R
0
HMflow
49(50)°C
Hotwater
51°C
R
0
R
0
+2
0
-2
1
R
0
HMflow 49(50)°C
Hotwater
51°C
+2
0
-2
1
R
0
HMflow
49(50)°C
Hotwater
51°C
R
0
Assembly
The water heater is only designed for upright installation.
The water heater’s installation area should always have
a temperature of at least 10 °C (to prevent the risk of
damage from frost) and max 30 °C.
The water heater is unscrewed from the pallet and lifted
into position, using the lifting eye at the top.
Position VPB 500 UK on a firm base that can take the
weight, preferably on a concrete floor or foundation.
Use the product's adjustable feet to obtain a horizontal
and stable set-up.
The area where VPB 500 UK is located must be equipped
with floor drainage.
30 - 50 mm
30 - 50 mm
15 - 40 mm
20-55 mm
Supplied components
LEK
Tundish
LEK
Pressure reduction valve
LEK
LEK
LEK
Shut off valve
LEK
Armoured hose (expansion
vessel)
LEK
Cold water inlet and expan-
sion relief valve, water
heater
LEK
Expansion vessel with
holder
Cover discs
Drain valve with plug
Plastic cover
Insulation plug
LEK
Temperature limiter
VPB 500 UKChapter 3 | For the Installer8
3 For the Installer

Component positions
VPB 500 UK
BT7
UA1
UA2
UA3
UL1
XR1
PF3
FL5
NameDesignation
Hot water sensor, top (factory fitted)BT7
T&P valveFL5
Submerged tube, temperature limit, Ø 10 mm (int)UA1
Submerged tube, docking heat pump (BT6), Ø 11 mm (int)UA2
Submerged tube, external heat source (solar), Ø 11 mm (int)UA3
Adjustable feetUL1
Lifting eyeXR1
Serial number platePF3
9Chapter 3 | For the InstallerVPB 500 UK

Removing the insulation
The insulation can be removed, to facilitate handling in
confined spaces.
■Lift off the plastic top and the top insulation.
■On VPB 500, the lifting eye on the top must be un-
screwed first.
■Remove the joining plates holding the insulated jacket
halves together. Do not use any tools when dismant-
ling.
■Unhook and remove the insulated jacket halves, the
outer diameter of the heater becomes approx. 200
mm less without the insulated jackets.
Insulation removed
200 mm less without insulation
Do not use any tools when dis-
mantling the joining plate.
The figure shows VPB 500 UK with
insulation.
Ø 850 mm with insulation
UN
UN
VPB 500 UKChapter 3 | For the Installer10

Carry out assembly in reverse order.
Install the enclosed insulation plugs around each connec-
tion. Finally, fit all the enclosed cover discs on each con-
nection by pressing them over the connections.
NOTE
Fit the cover discs and the insulation plugs be-
fore installing the pipe.
NOTE
In certain cases, more insulation plugs are en-
closed than are required.
11Chapter 3 | For the InstallerVPB 500 UK

Installation
VPB 500 UK can be equipped with the following ele-
ments, connection dimension G50. When installing the
water heater, ensure that there is enough room in front
of the connection area to remove the element, see fol-
lowing table.
Fit the enclosed cover discs before pipe installation. The
cover discs, with self-adhesive backs, must be installed
on the relevant connection, by pushing them over the
connections.
All connections (including connections or holes left by
the lifting eyes that are not used) must be insulated to
minimise energy losses.
Immersion heaters
Free spaceOutputElement
250 mm1500 WIU 31
260 mm2250 WIU 33
280 mm3000 WIU 34
VPB 500 UKChapter 3 | For the Installer12

Outline diagram
External heat source
(max 25 kW)
FL5
FQ10
UA1 FL7
CM4
FL1
RM1QN17
CM5
QM30
Explanation
Expansion vesselCM4 + CM5
Setting, expansion relief valveFL1
T&P-valveFL5
Shut off valveFL7
Temperature limiterFQ10
Shut off valve hot waterQM30
Pressure reducing valveQN17
Cold water inlet and pressure relief valve, water heaterRM1
Pocket tubeUA1
There´s a plug on the cold water inlet valve that can be
removed and there mount the flexble hose for the ex-
panssion vessel CM4.
13Chapter 3 | For the InstallerVPB 500 UK

Pipe installation
General
NOTE
Pipe installation must be carried out in accord-
ance with current norms and directives
NOTE
This installation is subject to building regulation
approval, notify the local Authority of intention
to install.
NOTE
Use only manufacturer’s recommended replace-
ment parts.
Overflow water from the safety valves goes via non-
pressurised collecting pipes to a drain so that hot water
splashes cannot cause injury. These non-pressurised
collecting pipes shall not be used for anything else. A
discharge pipe from the tundish connected to the expan-
sion relief valve (safety valve) shall also be connected to
a drain in the same way.
Please note that the connection of the T&P-valve should
not be used for any other purpose.
Valves may not be positioned between the expansion
valve and the vessel.
Overflow pipes from tundish must be routed with a fall
and at least 300 mm long, before bends or angles in the
pipework (see image).
The tundish should be installed away from electrical
components.
600 mm maximum
Tundish
Metal discharge pipe from
temperature relief valve to tundish.
Safety device
(e.g. temperature
relief valve).
300 mm
minimum
Metal discharge pipe from tundish,
with continous fall.
Possible wall
Discharge below
fixed grating.
Trapped gulley
Fixed grating
NOTE
The expansion vessel accomodates expansion
that results from heating the water inside the
unit. The expansion vessel must be connected
between the expansion valve and the cylinder.
The location of the expansion vessel should al-
low access to recharge the pressure as and when
necessary.
Resistance created by
each elbow or bend
Maximum resistance
allowed, expressed
as a lenght of
straight pipe (i.e. no
elbows or bends)
Minimum size of dis-
charge pipe from
tundish
Minimum size of dis-
charge pipe
Valve outlet size
0.8 mmup to 9 m22 mm15 mmG1/2
1.0 mmup to 18 m28 mm15 mmG1/2
1.4 mmup to 27 m35 mm15 mmG1/2
1.0 mmup to 9 m28 mm22 mmG3/4
1.4 mmup to 18 m35 mm22 mmG3/4
1.7 mmup to 27 m42 mm22 mmG3/4
1.4 mmup to 9 m35 mm28 mmG1
1.7 mmup to 18 m42 mm28 mmG1
2.3 mmup to 27 m54 mm28 mmG1
The tables shows the dimension of the copper overflow pipe for common safety valve connection size.
VPB 500 UKChapter 3 | For the Installer14

Hard water areas
Usually, it should not be a problem installing VPB 500 UK
in areas of hard water as the operating temperature is
50-60 °C.
Pipe connection
The water heater must be supplied with a thermometer
and pressure gauge as well as a shut-off valve, drain
valve, non-return valve, mixer valve, safety valve, and
vacuum valve as per applicable standards.
The water heater must be provided with a mixer valve,
which limits the temperature of outgoing hot water to
60 °C. If this valve is not fitted, some other measure must
be taken to prevent the risk of scalding.
The safety valve must have a maximum opening pressure
in accordance to the applicable regulations (however
max 6 bar/0.6 MPa). The overflow pipe must be the same
size as the safety valve. The overflow pipe must be routed
downwards along its entire length and be frost proof. It
must run out unobstructed over the drain.
Commissioning and adjusting
Filling the water heater
Fill as follows:
1. Open a hot water tap in the system.
2. Open the shut-off valve on the incoming cold water.
This valve should then be fully open during opera-
tion.
3. The hot water tap can only be shut off when the
water heater is filled, which is when only water
comes out of the tap (initially an air-water mixture
comes out of the tap).
Cleaning the climate system
When the water heater and the climate system have
been filled with water, VPB 500 UK must operate at
maximum normal temperature for at least one hour.
Thereafter the system must be drained of water and re-
filled.
Emptying the system by
1. Open external filler valve and external drain valve.
2. Flush the system for some minute. Watch out for
water splashes from the safety valve.
3. Close the valves and check the stainer.
Pressure drop diagram
Primary side (coil)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9 1 1,1
Tryckfall (kPa)
Flöde (l/s)
Tryckfall värmebärarslinga
VPB 500 VPB 750
VPB 1000
Pressure drop (kPa)
Flow (l/s)
15Chapter 3 | For the InstallerVPB 500 UK

Electrical installation
NOTE
Electrical installation and service must be carried
out under the supervision of a qualified electri-
cian, and in accordance with applicable electrical
safety regulations.
VPB 500 UK can be supplemented with an immersion
heater with a maximum output of 3 kW.
The immersion heater is supplemented with junction
box type K11 (2-pole thermostat, 3-pole temperature
limiter). Do not modify or reconnect!
A separate supply from group central is routed to the
immersion heater.
Sensors
VPB 500 UK can be supplemented with one hot water
sensor, for display and control. The sensor is positioned
in the pocket tube for the sensor (UA2).
Use the sensors provided with the heat pump/control
module. When no heat sensors have been provided these
must be ordered from the manufacturer of the heat
pump/ control module.
Temperatur limiter
Power supply to temperature limiter (FQ10) is 230 V.
Connect temperature limiter electrically to the solenoid
valve for the heat source.
Put the sensor in the pocket tube (UA1).
LEK
Connection temperature limiter
Temp. limiter
Terminal block
Cable from
solenoid valve
Supply cable
230 V
NOTE
The water heater must be completely filled with
water before it is connected on the electrical
side.
VPB 500 UKChapter 3 | For the Installer16

Dimensions
VPB 500 UK
20–55 29
1757
295
409
100 100
879
Ø 852 297
429
577
607
715
1147
1312
1382
17Chapter 4 | Technical dataVPB 500 UK
4 Technical data

Pipe connections
VPB 500 UK
XL8
XL35
XL3
XL9
XL10
XL4
XL5
XL13
XL29
DimensionsNameDesignation
G50Cold water connection, (solar connection, out), internal threadXL3
G50Hot water connection, internal threadXL4
Ø 15 mmHWC connectionXL5
Ø 28 mmDocking connection, incoming from heat pumpXL8
Ø 28 mmDocking connection, outgoing from heat pumpXL9
Ø 22 mmDrain connectionXL10
Ø 22 mmOther heat source, for example solarXL13
Ø 15 mmConnection T&P valveXL29
G50Connection for immersion heater, internal thread*XL35
*can be used as an access to view the cylinder internally.
VPB 500 UKChapter 4 | Technical data18

Technical specifications
VPB 500 UKModel
CopperCorrosion protection
850mmDiameter
1757mmHeight (excl. feet)
212kgGross weight
170kgNet weight
230VImmersion heater, supply
3kWMax. output
25kWTotal input power
25kWDrainage capacity, T&P valve
16/1.6bar/MPaMax pressure incoming cold water
3.5/0.35bar/MPaPressure reduction valve, setting:
6/0.6bar/MPaMax pressure, water heater
3/0.3bar/MPaMax pressure, primary side
5.5/0.55bar/MPaOperating pressure, secondary side
6/0.6bar/MPaSetting, expansion relief valve
7/0.7bar/MPaMax operating pressure, T&P-valve
3.5/0.35bar/MPaExp. vessle, tap water, charge pressure
90°CMax operating temperature, T&P-valve
90°CMaximum operating temperature, heating fluid:
490litreVolume, hot water heater
6litreVolume, coil
15.7mLength, coil
5.2m²Heating surface, coil
15.8kWHeat transfer, primary 60/50 °C, 50 °C HW temp at the top
23kWhHeat content at 50°C
825litreEquivalent amount of hot water (40 °C)*
163min.Heating time to 15 - 60 °C, (10 kW)**
081 056Part No.
* At incoming temperatures 10 °C and hot water draining of 30 l/min.
** Primary flow to achieve the maximum capacity VPB 500 UK: 2000 l/h.
Tested according to En 12897:2016
Energy labelling
NIBESupplier
VPB 500 UKModel
C
Energy efficiency class
111WHeat loss
496lVolume
Accessories
Immersion heater IU
Immersion heater IU 31 - IU34
See table (page 12)
Connection box K11
Connection box with thermostat and overheating protec-
tion. (When connecting Immersion heater IU)
Part no. 018 893
19Chapter 4 | Technical dataVPB 500 UK

Item register
A
Accessories, 19
D
Dimensions, 17
I
Important information, 4
Safety information, 4
Inspection of the installation, 6
M
Marking, 4
P
Pipe connections
Cleaning the climate system, 15
Hard water areas, 15
S
Safety information, 4
Inspection of the installation, 6
Marking, 4
Symbols on VPB 500 UK, 4
Warranty information, 5
Symbols on VPB 500 UK, 4
T
Technical data
Dimensions, 17
W
Warranty information, 5
VPB 500 UKChapter 5 | Item register20
5 Item register