Cable for electric shower

[Bill_Stickers]

I've got a broken 9.5kw gainsborough shower that needs replacing. I was going to replace like with like which I think I can do without notification (part p). However it runs on 6mm cable surface mounted in trunking with a 30amp mcb in a Wylex box. The cable runs for a max of 4 metres. Apparently if I want to replace the cable I need regs. Is it really necessary to uprate?

 

[andy]

9.5KW @ 230V is 41A. so youll have to upgrade the fuse at least. which is notifiable. the 6mm should be OK, providing it isnt buried in insulation

and do you have an RCD protecting the shower?

 

[Bill_Stickers]

Wow that was quick, there's no rcd i'm afraid and I was wrong it's not an mcb it's a cartrige fuse. Many thanks.

 

[andy]

Wow that was quick, there's no rcd i'm afraid and I was wrong it's not an mcb it's a cartrige fuse. Many thanks.

i would recommend you have an RCD fitted for your own safety.

depending on your CU, you may not be able tp put a 45A fuse in so you might have to split the meter tails into a seperate shower CU

 

[Bill_Stickers]

Thanks a lot Andrew, so 6mm ok ,45 amp necessary and possibly new cu for shower. The cu won't take an rcd so I'll check out a whole house on line. Thanks again.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Err - no. The cable is in trunking, so it is not rated for the 41A load, let alone the 45A protection. You'll need to replace it with 10mm²

 

[Spark123]

A 6mm² flat twin and earth would have been OK if it was installed differently i.e. clipped direct (method 1 = 47A).
Also it is worth noting a 45A Wylex cartridge fuse carrier is keyed as to only fit into a suitable board and normally only in the position next to the isolator switch.