I'm in the middle of re-fitting our bathroom and started yesterday by removing the airing cupboard doors and frame. In the airing cupboard there was a small switch (looked like a light switch) that I hadn't really noticed before, even though we have been in the house for 12 years!
I tried to operate the switch to see what it did and it was completely jammed solid. It was then I noticed the 6mm sq. cable going to it and realised it must be a switch to isolate the shower!
I quickly turned off the power and took the cover off the switch and my fears were proven - it was the shower switch and the contacts inside were welded closed. The wire insulation was blackened and brittle. God knows how long it had been like that! It was only a 20Amp switch!
To make matters worse the whirlpool bath supply was taken from the live side of the switch as well!
So it could have been a disaster caused by someone elses DIY!
I may send the switch to the previous owner of our house with a nice letter thanking him for trying to burn the house down!
I tried to operate the switch to see what it did and it was completely jammed solid. It was then I noticed the 6mm sq. cable going to it and realised it must be a switch to isolate the shower!
I quickly turned off the power and took the cover off the switch and my fears were proven - it was the shower switch and the contacts inside were welded closed. The wire insulation was blackened and brittle. God knows how long it had been like that! It was only a 20Amp switch!
To make matters worse the whirlpool bath supply was taken from the live side of the switch as well!
So it could have been a disaster caused by someone elses DIY!
I may send the switch to the previous owner of our house with a nice letter thanking him for trying to burn the house down!