Normally open contact on the flowswitch. Contacts close when H/W is drawn. If it is faulty, likely fault is inside the flow valve not the actual platon switch which just senses the movement of the ball inside the fitting. Could just be furring so might be worth disassembling and checking before buying new. (Tap firmly with screwdriver handle on fitting while drawing H/W and see if it fires up).
David C
March 2009