Shower drop switch...wire damaged

Aquaman · 3 May 2012

The shower drop switch needed replacing last year, 2 years after the original was fitted. I got an electrician to change it.

This morning the new shower drop switch has stopped working again. I thought this time I would swap it myself. Before I started I noticed the red/live is showing some slight heat damage (sheathing looks a little heat deformed) and blackness on the copper wiring?

Could this mean there is more of a fault than just the switch, and maybe the reason why the switch keeps needing replacement?

Thanks in advance for any answers

EFLImpudence · 3 May 2012

Possible but I wouldn't think so.

Most likely cause is a loose terminal.
You need to cut it back to undamaged 'fresh, shiny' copper and use a new switch as the terminals may be burnt and/or weakened.

Perhaps the 'electrician' did not do this last time.
Unlikely, but you never know.

The terminals are usually awkward to access so make sure they are really tight.

Aquaman · 3 May 2012

Thanks for that.

Could I just ask as I seem to be going through alot of these pull switches when the new one is fitted can I just leave it on all the time?....the shower does switch off at the unit itself after all

EFLImpudence · 3 May 2012

Yes, you can leave it on.

timtheenchanter · 3 May 2012

I don't see why not, I leave mine on all the time, in my view its there for isolation, ie for maintenance, repair etc, same with cooker switches etc IMO.
The only time i turn mine off is when I go away, I also isolate all my outside sockets, reducing the risk of water getting into anything causing RCD trips.

ban-all-sheds · 3 May 2012

If the terminal screws aren't done up tight it will still overheat, melt the insulation etc.

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Shower drop switch...wire damaged

Aquaman

EFLImpudence

Aquaman

EFLImpudence

timtheenchanter

ban-all-sheds

DIYnot Local

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