Which he'd already been told.
Which he'd already been told.
Which he'd already been told.
Pointless - he'd already been given that link, but couldn't be arsed to click it and read the info it provided.
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Replacing an electric shower
- Thread starter TheZapster1111
- Start date
Actually, I did look at the link - just couldn't work it out, is all. Don't assume everyone on here has the same knowledge you do.
What IS the FP of hanging around on these boards, sneering? Either help people with patience and good grace or FO.
What's the FP of asking DIY questions on a DIY forum...anyone would think everyone on here's an expert, who just needs a few links to solve all their problems.
Thanks. How much will it cost and what's involved?
Not all, but the link to the table of cable sizes was all you needed to solve the particular problem of understanding cable sizes.
So let's see - you're expecting us to believe the following:
I expressed doubts that you were measuring the cable properly, and pointed you at this table -
You looked at it, studied it, thought about it, and were so unable to understand it that you wrote
The highlighted sentence means that the table was so incomprehensible to you that you couldn't even grasp what sort of information it was giving you. It means that even after looking at it you still couldn't grasp that cable size is not the width. Even if you still weren't sure what it was, you're telling us that you still didn't understand what it wasn't, and "I guess now you're going to tell me there's more to it than that" means that you didn't even realise you'd been told that it wasn't what you thought.
Are you really that thick?
Because I don't believe for one second that you are - I think you couldn't be bothered to look at the information you were given, and don't like it when you're criticised for that.
I have to admit I once had a problem understanding what a 1mm Child Support Agency ( CSA ) had to do with electrical cable sizes.
You can criticise me all you like when I deserve it.
Look, pal, I'm not an electrician. I've never so much as changed a fuse. That table you linked is double-dutch to me. I can spot four lots of 10mm, and the term "overall dimensions" is ambiguous at best when related to cable size. I don't know what CSA is, other than as an inefficient organisation that chases errant fathers. Diameter of Live/Neutral cores (Total diameter of stranded cores) is perfectly clear, obviously.
So, back to my original question: why do you post 20,000 times, sneering at people with less knowledge than yourself? Ah, just noticed - a rude cockney! Quelle surprise!
That is a bit un-fair. Just because he comes from London he is not necessarily a cockney.
This is good to know as the majority of cockneys are really good friendly people. This I know having been born and raised in London a few miles to the east of the area where cockney's lived.
Right, I've had a look at the instructions for the new 8.5kw shower. They say "Supplementary bonding...all electrical parts...must be electrically bonded to earth using a minimum cable size of 4mm if the cable is not mechanically protected (2.5mm if mechanically protected)."
In this context, what does "mechanically protected" mean? Is it likely my existing set up will be "mechanically protected".
Also, there's an eco function on the shower - does this mean less power will go through the unit, making the existing wiring safe? Presumably the 8.5kw relates to the unit being on at full blast - will turning down the heat by 20%, say, take the KW down to 6.8KW? Does it work like that?
In this context, what does "mechanically protected" mean? Is it likely my existing set up will be "mechanically protected".
Also, there's an eco function on the shower - does this mean less power will go through the unit, making the existing wiring safe? Presumably the 8.5kw relates to the unit being on at full blast - will turning down the heat by 20%, say, take the KW down to 6.8KW? Does it work like that?
Ignoring all of the pointless and rude postings, the facts here are:
You can replace the shower with another 7.2kW model without changing anything else.
To use a shower of higher rating, the circuit breaker will have to be changed, and it is very likely the cable will have to be replaced as well.
The control knob on electric showers alters the flow of water. Less water flow = hotter water. The power used is the same.
Some models have a 'half' power switch which does use less power. However you can't fit a shower relying on the fact that it will only be used on that setting.
'mechanically protected' refers to wires or cables contained in something like steel trunking or conduit.
Supplementary bonding is explained here
Your choices are:
1. Get another 7.2kW shower and fit that.
2. Find an electrician (search here: http://www.competentperson.co.uk/ )to fit a shower of higher rating, upgrade the circuit breaker and cables as required.
Given that you have already said this:
is not going to be possible.
You can replace the shower with another 7.2kW model without changing anything else.
To use a shower of higher rating, the circuit breaker will have to be changed, and it is very likely the cable will have to be replaced as well.
The control knob on electric showers alters the flow of water. Less water flow = hotter water. The power used is the same.
Some models have a 'half' power switch which does use less power. However you can't fit a shower relying on the fact that it will only be used on that setting.
'mechanically protected' refers to wires or cables contained in something like steel trunking or conduit.
Supplementary bonding is explained here
Your choices are:
1. Get another 7.2kW shower and fit that.
2. Find an electrician (search here: http://www.competentperson.co.uk/ )to fit a shower of higher rating, upgrade the circuit breaker and cables as required.
Given that you have already said this:
the third option of notifying your local building control, paying their fee (£100+), installing the shower, cable and circuit breaker etc. yourself
is not going to be possible.
Thank you flameport
So much so that you couldn't even work out that it was telling you that cable sizes weren't the overall dimensions?
So much so that you thought that whatever it was telling you, it had absolutely nothing to do with the relationship between cable overall dimensions, and other physical attributes?
flameport, with all respect, we have determined (as far as reasonably possible) that the OP has 2.5mm² cable, on which he cannot install anything showerlike. A 7.2kw shower consumes over 30 amps at 230 volts, which is more than the CCC of 2.5mm² cable.
@ the OP, please call an electrician. And please dont argue with Ban, you wont win
@ the OP, please call an electrician. And please dont argue with Ban, you wont win
Ok, but if that's the case, why does the existing 7.2kw shower work fine on the existing 2.5mm of cable? By your reasoning that wouldn't work either?
What I need to know is, what is likely to happen if I put an 8.5kw shower into the existing set up? Is it likely I'll be electrocuted? Is it likely there'll be a fire? Surely the RCB will simply cut out power if there's a problem?
I find it hard to believe everyone rips out old wiring and replaces fuse boxes every time they upgrade their showers.
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