10mm cable for electric shower

[JohnnyTheFox2010]

Hi

I have a 7.5kw electric shower which has decided to trip the circuit breaker each time it is used, so time for a new shower.

I have my eye on a new 10.8kw monster, but have read that installation requires 10mm cable being that it is larger than the standard. My question is how do I recognize whether the cable (hardly poking out of the wall) is 10mm cable or not?

if it helps, the only text I can see on the cable is Plexman 42 and the house was built in early 2004.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[GaryMo]

Is the CPC (earth) a single solid core or stranded?

If it's solid then it's 6mm2 t&e or smaller, if it's stranded then it's 10mm2 t&e or larger.

Can you measure the width of the cable?

 

[Chri5]

Please see

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:cable_types:flatpvccables

which indicates cable dimensions

 

[TicklyT]

There's more to consider when upgrading an electric shower than just the cable size, including:-

The length of the cable run

How and where the cable is routed

The circuit protection (fuse / MCB / RCD)

etc

etc.

Are you aware of the restrictions on DIY electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms ('Part P')?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Are you aware of the restrictions on DIY electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms ('Part P')?

Also the running of a new circuit is notifiable work, Even if its an upgrade from 6mm² to 10mm²

 

[JohnnyTheFox2010]

Thanks all.

From the guide it must be 6mm or even 4mm, it is certainly not 10mm (overall 17mm).

The installation will be carried out professionally, I just needed to know whether to go with a 10.8kw and have the additional cost of an electrician to re-wire, or just go with the cheaper option of a 9kw and plumber.

Great site. Thanks for all your help.