Electric shower problems

[Krustyzidane]

hi, my old shower was 8kwand it kept blowing the fuse and it gets extremely hot at the fuse board and slightly melting it. It is wired to a 30amp fuse. It is wired with 6mm cable. It is approx 15feet of cable from the shower to fuse box and it is the only item on the circuit. I got an Electrican out who said that it was wired correctly and that cable should handle it ok. He had talked about requiring the shower but can't get him back out. I changed to shower and found it kept blowing the fuse and still slightly melting to fuse holder. I found if I put the shower on Eco mode it was ok but now it has finally blown the fuse after 4 months and was really hot at the fuse box. Do I need to change the cable to 10mm and/or put a bigger fuse in the fuse box. I am great full for any suggestions to try. Thanks

 

[aptsys]

Sounds like the cable was poorly terminated at the consumer unit rather than anything else. Depending of the damage you may require a new consumer unit. Can you take any pictures?

 

[Krustyzidane]

There is no real damage to the board just slight melting on the fuse holder you push into the fuse box. I will try and get a picture when I get back home from work

 

[EFLImpudence]

hi, my old shower was 8kw

What is the new one?

 

[stillp]

Do you have an RCD on the shower circuit? If not then that's another reason to change your outdated consumer unit.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Do you have an RCD on the shower circuit? If not then that's another reason to change your outdated consumer unit.

Why?

 

[stillp]

Why?

Wet naked people are highly susceptible to electric shock and need the protection of an RCD. In addition, the OP's fusebox shows signs of melting, so it probably needs replacing anyway.

 

[gman76]

He had talked about requiring the shower

A bit whiffy was he?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Wet naked people are highly susceptible to electric shock and need the protection of an RCD.

Showers are all plastic but I suppose it is wise.

You might think the regulations would state as much but instead they just require it for the circuits.
I realise it works out the same but they don't actually require it for showers.

 

[Krustyzidane]

Sorry old one was 8.5kw and new one is 8.5kw. There is no rcd just old style consumer board

 

[winston1]

hi, my old shower was 8kwand it kept blowing the fuse and it gets extremely hot at the fuse board and slightly melting it. It is wired to a 30amp fuse.

Well 8kW at 240 volts is 33.33 amps. Not going to blow quickly but very poor practice.

 

[winston1]

Sorry old one was 8.5kw and new one is 8.5kw

Even worse than. 8.5kW at 240 volts is 35.4 amps.

 

[JohnW2]

Showers are all plastic but I suppose it is wise.

Yes, intuitively I suspect that most of us feel that 'wet naked bodies' and electricity are a bad combination, but, as you imply, I suspect that the risk of shock posed by an electric shower (unless its cover is broken) is incredibly low.

You might think the regulations would state as much but instead they just require it for the circuits. I realise it works out the same but they don't actually require it for showers.

Well, not explicitly but, as you say, the effect of the reg is to require RCD protection of any electric appliance/equipment within a bathroom (without being explicit about any particular item). I presume that is again on the principle that "wet naked bodies and electricity does not sound/feel like a good combination".

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

Well 8kW at 240 volts is 33.33 amps. Not going to blow quickly but very poor practice.

I would say "not going to blow ever" (and the same for 35.4A) - but still 'bad practice' (and, of course, non-compliant with regulations).

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Although the OP says it gets hot while in use, the 'melting' he quotes could be historic.