FFS now what

[Steve]

We had a false ceiling in the bathroom. It hid a multitude of sins. Its been taken down. I have to re-fix the shower isolator to the main ceiling (it was originally here when this was an airing cupboard). This is a temporary fix. Eventually the whole bathroom is being refurbed, and a new ceiling put up. And we need a shower in the meantime!

But. See my pictures for what I have found.

How the hell do I dress these 10mm² cables for connection to the isolator?

Burnt wires inside shower. Worrying. But we are scrapping this shower in a few weeks. Very very annoying. Would you chance it?

Cheers

 

[Chri5]

Is the shower circuit rcd protected ?

If you don't know how to dress the 10mm TE are you wise to consider terminating it?

Dress live, neutrals and earths/cpc (with sleeve) so they are formed to drop in to the respective terminations. Do not have the whole cables over lapping each other.

Prior to terminating, put a 10 deg bend on the cores to help make an elbow.

So when the faceplate is offered up to the back box the cores fold in a bit and should allow closure.
You find the deeper the back box the more space there is, with shallow boxes you may end up having to pull surplus sheathed cable out the box cable entries as you close in up.

When cables drop down from a ceiling, that allows the cable to push up and back in to the ceiling as you close the plate to the box.

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

How old is the shower?
How often does it get used?
Does the shower cabling have RCD protection?

 

[Steve]

How old is the shower?
How often does it get used?
Does the shower cabling have RCD protection?

manufactured 2003 according to QC sticker. sounds about right.
2 or 3 times a day
yes, RCD in new CU.

I know the shower has had a good innings Just wish it'd have lasted a bit longer!

I have connected all cores to the switch now. Going to try to offer the switch to the box. I will probably end up with cores sticking out the sides. But its only temp untill we get a new ceiling.

This is a 45mm box, are deeper available??

I was surprised to find two screws on each terminal when I removed it. (I was also surprised to find no burnt cores in the switch too )

 

[aptsys]

The round Crabtree isolators are a bit easier to terminate into, so consider those for next time.

 

[kevindgas]

manufactured 2003 according to QC sticker. sounds about right.
2 or 3 times a day
yes, RCD in new CU.

I know the shower has had a good innings Just wish it'd have lasted a bit longer!

5 years is about all you get round here on an electric shower! so 7 years is a good innings.

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

How old is the shower?
How often does it get used?
Does the shower cabling have RCD protection?

manufactured 2003 according to QC sticker. sounds about right.
2 or 3 times a day
yes, RCD in new CU.

It wouldn't be the first time i've seen shower internals like that on a unit which has had that much life. I wouldn't be too concerned if all other factors are correct with the wiring.

I know the shower has had a good innings Just wish it'd have lasted a bit longer!

I have connected all cores to the switch now. Going to try to offer the switch to the box. I will probably end up with cores sticking out the sides. But its only temp untill we get a new ceiling.

This is a 45mm box, are deeper available??

I was surprised to find two screws on each terminal when I removed it. (I was also surprised to find no burnt cores in the switch too )

little tip for those terms with 2 screws- when you put the wire in the hole, tighten the second screw up first, give the wire a little tug, if tight, then tighten up the first screw.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But. See my pictures for what I have found.

You've found 10mm² twin & earth, i.e. what you'd have if you'd installed a new circuit from scratch.

How the hell do I dress these 10mm² cables for connection to the isolator?

How is that any more of a puzzle than if you'd put the cables in?

I will probably end up with cores sticking out the sides.

Err - cut them a little shorter?

 

[Steve]

Cheers lads.

On an unrelated point, before I paint over it, anyone know what brand accessory was mounted here many years ago? (Holes now used to pass lighting circuit main cable and switch drop for landing light through)

 

[ColJack]

I'd say it's a good bet it was MK.. seing as it says so in the dust...

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

I'd say it's a good bet it was MK.. seing as it says so in the dust...

 

[Steve]

Been like that at least 10 years since we last refurbed the room! Not sure what it was for - it would have been in the airing cupboard. I vaguely recall a wall switch for the immersion and the lights in the bathroom and there was no light in the airing cupboard. Oh well.

 

[Paul_C]

The round Crabtree isolators are a bit easier to terminate into, so consider those for next time.

Or better yet, forget all about ceiling pull switches, select a suitable location for a regular wall switch, and use a double-gang unit like this one to give yourself a little more room in the box to work with:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK5215.html

 

[securespark]

Been like that at least 10 years since we last refurbed the room! Not sure what it was for - it would have been in the airing cupboard. I vaguely recall a wall switch for the immersion and the lights in the bathroom and there was no light in the airing cupboard. Oh well.

Could have been an MK DP pullcord with neon for a wall-mounted infra-red heater??

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Or better yet, forget all about ceiling pull switches, select a suitable location for a regular wall switch

Why is everyone so keen on having switches anyway?

What are they for?