I currently have a 7.2kW shower which is connected to a Hagar MT132 next to the fuse box. Can I have an 8.5kW shower? My understanding is that I cannot because it is 32amp and an 8.5kW shower needs 40amp. But I want to check this before I have the fitting changed and a new wire pulled through. Thanks.
Hagar MT132 - can I have a 8.5kW shower?
- Thread starter sarahmarie
- Start date
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Next to the fuse box? Could you post a picture on here? Is it in a seperate white enclosure? If so it will be easy to change for one of a higher rating.
an 8.5kw shower requires 36 amps, so you'd have to up the MCB rating, which is an easy job. Your electrician will advise.
an 8.5kw shower requires 36 amps, so you'd have to up the MCB rating, which is an easy job. Your electrician will advise.
I wouldn't change an MCB until I have verified the cable is adequate to take the additional load too. Like Crafty says, consult a local spark as this work is notifiable to LABC under part P of the building regs.
Thanks to both of you for your replies. I was trying to find out whether replacing my shower was a job I was allowed to do myself - which it obviously isn't. Annoying, because elecitricians are so busy!
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Spark123,
If I got an electrician to change the MCB unit and pull through a new wire (assuming the current one is no good) and fit a new shower (but I bought the shower myself) what sort of sum of money would I be looking at?
(I realise you can't give me an exact figure, I just want an idea of what money I need ready for the job.)
If I got an electrician to change the MCB unit and pull through a new wire (assuming the current one is no good) and fit a new shower (but I bought the shower myself) what sort of sum of money would I be looking at?
(I realise you can't give me an exact figure, I just want an idea of what money I need ready for the job.)
MCB swap and test - 30 mins
shower swap and test - 30 mins
cable - depends on the route. run it yourself, then the electrician just has to connect up. Make sure he can still see its route when he arrives.
He will have to connect the wire both ends and to the switch, make good, test and inspect, allow up to 90 minutes @ between £25 and £35 per hour, though this varies around the country and from spark to spark, and the electrician may add on bits for the distance travelled, grief factor when using customer-supplied stuff, and other things we cannot see.
shower swap and test - 30 mins
cable - depends on the route. run it yourself, then the electrician just has to connect up. Make sure he can still see its route when he arrives.
He will have to connect the wire both ends and to the switch, make good, test and inspect, allow up to 90 minutes @ between £25 and £35 per hour, though this varies around the country and from spark to spark, and the electrician may add on bits for the distance travelled, grief factor when using customer-supplied stuff, and other things we cannot see.
Financially I think it makes sense to get someone to do it for me. Thanks for your help. 
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Crafty said:
I guess you have never swapped a shower then.
More like 2 to 6 hours.
I meant simply disconnecting the old one, mounting and connecting the new one, excluding plumbing. Just the work at the shower itself, not the switch or running cable . . . Maybe an hour would be a more appropriate guess. What have I missed RF?
Driving to the job, nip to wholesalers for parts, upgrade bonding etc, testing, replace the shower, fill in the paper work, load car, cup of tea, bait time, leave job and go to pub.
You've got a lot to learn Crafty lol.
You've got a lot to learn Crafty lol.
I could have sworn I mentioned upgrade bonding etc. Although it best practice to have a shower protected by RCD, it is not a requirement of BS7671 to do it. It is only mandatory if the manufacturer specifies it. This is the sort of thing the spark would advise on when attending the job.
Spark123 said:
rubbish, read your regs.
Zone 1
Requires electrical products to be IPX4 or better, or SELV with the transformer located in zone 3 or beyond. If the fitting is 240v, a 30mA RCD must be used to protect the circuit.
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