I have purchased a 9.5kw electric shower which recommends a 45amp fuse! My consumer unit is made by Contactum which only manufacture 40 or 50amp MCB's! I was told its best to go for the 50amp as the 40 would trip.... Is this correct?
9.5kw shower protected by 50amp MCB
- Thread starter cbrbird
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Please understand this:
The fuse in the fuseboard is there to protect the cable that is running to your shower. If the fuse is too big and a fault occurs then the cable may fail possible causing a fire.
you must not upgrade the fuse unless you know what you are doing.
Your cable may be too small to carry 50amps.
My advice is to get someone in who knows about the current carrying capacity of the cable that you have - they can then advise you.
TTC
The fuse in the fuseboard is there to protect the cable that is running to your shower. If the fuse is too big and a fault occurs then the cable may fail possible causing a fire.
you must not upgrade the fuse unless you know what you are doing.
Your cable may be too small to carry 50amps.
My advice is to get someone in who knows about the current carrying capacity of the cable that you have - they can then advise you.
TTC
The 40 amp is borderline depending on your supply voltage and what voltage rating that the 9.5kw is specified for.Saying that though a 40A type B mcb would take an age to operate at 41/42 amps.
For a 50 amp mcb you would need at least 10mm² (depending on install method/length of run) but this would enable you to install a larger shower in the future.
Edit:Too fast and better answer TTC
For a 50 amp mcb you would need at least 10mm² (depending on install method/length of run) but this would enable you to install a larger shower in the future.
Edit:Too fast and better answer TTC
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That should be ok - but as TTC said the work should be carried out/checked by a qualified spark as you are changing the characteristics of the circuit, so testing needs to take place
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And while you're at it, think about supp bonding, rcd's, whether your CU main switch, shower iso switch, meter & cut-out fuse can handle the load.
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