Concerned about earthing for electric shower... is this safe

[running_with_scissors]

Hello!

Just had our electric shower installed (problems with the previous unit, bad plumbing etc.)

Was just having a quick look and noticed a bit of bare wire. Popped the cover off and found that the plumber had stripped the earth wire further than where it is recommended... a lot further. He covered it with electrical tape, but not very well (as a I could see that some of it was bare).

The unit we have says NOT to seal around it with silicone, so this wire will be open to any moisture etc.

Is this going to be a problem, or is the earth wire OK to have that much exposure?

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[ricicle]

Can you post us a piccy?

 

[running_with_scissors]

yes, yes I can. Give a me a few minutes, I'm just going to take a few. Back soon!

 

[running_with_scissors]

Sorry, having trouble posting them, so I've created links for anyone interested.

side view
http://tinyurl.com/3y3qwh

straight on view
(middle cable is the one, wrapped in red and a bit of blue tape)

http://tinyurl.com/3a9hsf

 

[davy_owen_88]

You need to copy the link with the

 

[running_with_scissors]

made the album public, should work now.

thanks everyone for the help!!!

 

[davy_owen_88]

Same problem. Use Photobucket instead.

 

[Lectrician]

Imageshack requires no account...

 

[running_with_scissors]

the middle cable is the earth, it has been wrapped with red (and a bot of blue) electrical tape

Side view (you can see another earth cable running beneath the shower unit

 

[running_with_scissors]

thanks for the photobucket link... photobox just wouldn't do the img tags

 

[davy_owen_88]

Jesus Christ monkey balls!

Who did the wiring? Did the person who fitted it give you any certificates? Did he ride in on a horse?

Get yourself some of this and sleeve the earth conductor along it's entire length.

 

[JohnD]

I think it was the horse

It's hard holding wire strippers in your hooves.

 

[running_with_scissors]

so... I'm guessing using it would not be a good idea. thought getting some casing would be the best idea.

thanks for your help.

was the plumber who stripped the earth wire too far. no certs. from him. should he have any, or is that electrician only? this was a replacement of an electric shower, so the wiring was already in.

 

[davy_owen_88]

Well, judging by his workmanship I wouldn't be too happy using that shower myself. The lack of sheathing over the earth conductor isn't dangerous as it is there for indication purposes and to prevent it coming into contact with live conductors when the whole lot is pushed inside the casing but the tape used doesn't conform to the standardised colours (a CPC shouldn't be sleeved as phase and neutral :S )

Replace the sleeving, and check the connections are tight and that minimal insulation has been removed from the live conductors and you should be ok, assuming the cable and protective device was installed by a competent electrician.

 

[RF Lighting]

Gainsborough