shower/heater switch required

[llewop]

Hi,
I got a call from a dog grooming place. They have an out house where they wash dogs and keep them overnight.

They have a 7kw dual immerser (very unusual) and a 10kw shower which is causing them a problem. They want a switch put in that would only allow them to switch on either the shower or the immerser seperately but it would mean both cannot be on at the same time so saving electricity as there employees are using both at the same time costing a lot of money.

I was thinking of taking a 10mm cable from the consumer unit into a sort of 50a rocker switch then from there off to the shower and immerser. The rocker switch (if that is what you call it) would only allow one item on at a time. My problem is I am not familiar with this type of switch required and dont even know if this set up is possible. Any ideas if this kind of switch exists and where to get it

Thanks.

 

[FourFootMedia]

You may find one of these useful.

 

[llewop]

Thanks FourFootMedia that is exactly what I was looking for. Will order up 32a/11kw switch that should do the job.

Thank again

 

[333rocky333]

. Will order up 32a switch that should do the job.

Bit underrated for 10KW

 

[hairyben]

We have a few of these come up.

Someone needs to invent a current "manager"- current monitoring with relay trigger outputs for managing loads.

I can think of a few examples where this would be worth it's weight in gold, eg electrically heated houses where total demand would exceed 100A, "managed" so that heating zones can drop out or rotate when electric cooking/showering etc appliances are in use.

Given the £2k odd cost and phasing problems of a service upgrade I'd say theres a market for a modular/customisable product.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They don't need to be invented - commonplace in France because people's supplies are strictly limited - if you've only paid for 9kW then at 40A your supply gets shut down.

So people have non-priority circuits on load-shedding devices to stop this from happening.

See "Delesteur" here: http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/608930/ShowPost.aspx

 

[llewop]

333rocky333 I was going to get the next model up its a 63a switch which its says takes 15kw costing £68. The 32a says it takes 11kw costs £36. I agree with you normaly 32a is not enough but as its a switch rather than a breaker and it says it can take up to 11kw I thought it would do the job.

Do you think it is a bit to close and I should buy the 63a. Not sure if this job will happen once I give the customer the price of supplying and fitting the required switch.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

333rocky333 I was going to get the next model up its a 63a switch which its says takes 15kw costing £68. The 32a says it takes 11kw costs £36. I agree with you normaly 32a is not enough but as its a switch rather than a breaker and it says it can take up to 11kw I thought it would do the job.

I can't believe that you're working as an electrician and you haven't thought to wonder in what way a 32A current equates to an 11kW load, particularly in the context of a 3-pole switch.

Do you think it is a bit to close and I should buy the 63a. Not sure if this job will happen once I give the customer the price of supplying and fitting the required switch.

Don't give them a price - tell them that you've decided they should get someone competent instead of you.

 

[FourFootMedia]

what way a 32A current equates to an 11kW load, particularly in the context of a 3-pole switch.

I think TLC need to update their website, as it does state:

32 Amp / 11Kw

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I think TLC need to update their website,

Maybe we should ask llewop to tell us what the kW figure should be....