showers and rcds

chelsea83 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:12 pm

hello need to inquire about showers. are you supposed to have a rcd when installing an electric shower or is the 40A mcb suffisent protection in the event of a fault?

streetlighter · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:19 pm

Under the 16th edition an RCD is not required but recommeded due to electricity near water. But in the new 17th all circuits in a bathroom must be protected by one or more RCD/RCBOs.
Myself i would not install a shower without a 30mA RCD in the circuit.

electrospark · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:21 pm

As far as i am aware and i know i will be corrected if wrong... but under the 16th edition there is no requirement to install on a RCD. Although it is good practice to install them on one. (As I do)

electrospark · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:21 pm

got there b4 me streetlighter

chelsea83 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:21 pm

what if there wasn't enough room in the dist board to fit an rcd would it be a major issue?

electrospark · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:23 pm

Its up to u as there is no regs to suggest to. But I would use one...

electrospark · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:24 pm

Can u fit an RCBO what board do u have?

chelsea83 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:26 pm

theres just enough room to fit the new 40A mcb. its a crabtree sb6000

streetlighter · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:28 pm

Do crabtree still supply BS3871 sb6000 MCBs for those units ? Mind i suppose the fuse company would have them.

daytona · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 697 Location: United Kingdom

as said before,you dont need rcd protection for the shower if the install is under the 16th edition.bs7671 is only a minimum standard though.you wont get a spark to say not to use an rcd with this in mind.

its up to you(or your spark)but i wouldnt.

GaryMo · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:33 pm

External RCD in an enclosure?

It's normally manufacturers recommendation to fit an RCD to a shower circuit (16th) and not that of the wiring regulations.

electrospark · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:33 pm

No idea, they may do..
Can you fit a small 2 way board to the side with RCD. More work but worth it. Its up to you. I would, but like we said there isn't any requirement. So do it before july if u don't want to fit one..

chelsea83 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:44 pm

thanks for the info, might try the separate enclosure with rcd
cheers