Overheating N cable in shower Isolation Switch

Joined
21 Feb 2014
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Northumberland
Country
United Kingdom
Just traced a fishy smell in the bathroom to the isolation switch for the electric shower, I found one of the 2 neutral cables had been overheating but I don't know why, it was somewhat loose within the switch but was still sitting within its hole

What could have caused it to overheat?

I've done my research and found the shower requires a 45amp Double Pole switch so I'm off to get a new one tomorrow, is it possible the switch was not rated to a high enough amperage?



Thanks in advance.
 
Sponsored Links
Very common with showers.

A loose connection will have caused this - a terminal not quite tightened enough. Or possibly even a cheap brand switch.

You need a new switch. MK are supposedly the best, they make a similar one (though these have been known to not always work first time).

Most of the cheaper ones seem to wear out quickly too.

The best ones are the Crabtree ones - but they are a very different design. They are circular. But they do seem to last.

You need to re-strip the burnt cable to nice clean copper, so hopefully there is some slack in the cable above.

It is important to tighten the terminals fully. One you have connected it up, before you fix the cover on, give the terminals a final tighten up - as moving the wires can loosen the terminals.

Be sure not to mix up the supply and load cables - as the neon may stay on all the time.
 
Sponsored Links
Yes, the MK one is fine.

The switch needs to be rated at at least 45/50 amp usually, so 50 amp will certainly be suitable.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top