7.5 KW shower

[riveralt]

Obviously it's a 9.5 KW. Well spotted, not sure why I thought it was 7.5.

Would the failed neutral be due to the main switch going ?

Could be, have you had a look inside that switch (I assume you mean the one that stuck) to see if everything looks okay? - With the power off.
The fact that your shower is rated at 9.5kw (41.3 Amps) that is getting close to the current carrying capacity of 6mm2 T&E which is 46Amps when clipped direct you may have to raise the size of the T&E to 10mm2.
Also what is the size of your MCB and is it RCD protected?

What are my best options now for a 9.5 KW ?

Gave you one that Gainsborough recommend.

 

[marb]

Also what is the size of your MCB and is it RCD protected?


Not sure what an MCB and RCD protected means sorry.

 

[riveralt]

Also what is the size of your MCB and is it RCD protected?


Not sure what an MCB and RCD protected means sorry.

In that case perhaps you need to get someone in to replace the shower rather than trying to do it yourself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_circuit_breaker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device

 

[marb]

I would rather do it myself with a little guidance here Surely if I get another 9.5 KW shower and switch it will work ? I will have a look inside the switch and let you know.

 

[riveralt]

I would rather do it myself with a little guidance here Surely if I get another 9.5 KW shower and switch it will work ? I will have a look inside the switch and let you know.

What is the size of the MCB that covers the shower circuit.
Is that circuit also protected by an RCD?
If the circuit is not protected by an RCD then you will need to introduce it into the circuit as per the manufactures instructions.
If you had read the information given in the wickes shower manual you would have had a better understanding of what I am talking about.
If the switch is jammed or was jammed then you need to replace it.

 

[marb]

Yes, it has an RCD next to the electric meter. I just switched it off and the shower didn't come on so it's def that one.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The cable that you have looks like 6mm². That is not big enough for a 9.5KW shower. Thats why you have problems, the cable has overheated and started to fail.
It has obviously failed in the switch too.

What size fuse/MCB is on that circuit in the consumer unit?

 

[marb]

You mean inside the shower unit ?

we inherited the shower set up when we moved in 13 years ago so it's done well to get this far.

 

[Taylortwocities]

No the MCB in your consumer unit aka fusebox
This may help

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 27 Mar 2010
• 43

It may have worked for 13 years but it doesnt look right to me.

 

[marb]

Ok, I have had a look and there are 2 RCD fuses. One is double with a shared switch and the other (the one I turned the shower off with to check earlier) has just the one. The double is 63 A. The latter (shower) just says B40 with 240-415 v.

 

[marb]

I have given the info in my post above

 

[riveralt]

I have given the info in my post above

Photograph your consumer unit - include the RCD and make it clear enough to see the ratings for the MCB's.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I would rather do it myself with a little guidance here

Here is your guidance:

• 
  
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcbtocable
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.3.1.htm (all subsections)
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.3.11.htm
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/cableselection_web.pdf
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Charts/VoltageDrop.html
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/5.3.1.htm
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcb2
  
  
• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/8.1.1.htm
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part-p
  

 

[marb]

Can't you tell by the info I have given you ?

 

[riveralt]

Can't you tell by the info I have given you ?

No.