Electric Shower blowing fuse
- Thread starter jd67
- Start date
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please find out for sure. this is important.
Also please show us photo of your consumer unit, and of the thing that is tripping. 30A suggests it is rather old.
How soon after you turn it on does it trip?
In addition to the questions you have already been asked, is this a new occurrence, or has this shower been blowing fuses ever since it was installed?
Kind Regards, John
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Posted photo. Unable to find out if 8.5 unit. What size of fuse would it be
"Consumer unit" is the thing that some people used to call a "fusebox"
https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/domestic-consumer-units/cat7230028
Photo of yours please, and of the thing inside it that trips or blows.
https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/domestic-consumer-units/cat7230028
Photo of yours please, and of the thing inside it that trips or blows.
Most electric showers have an identification label on them somewhere (usually near the outlet) with the kW rating on, something like this example:
That's Not the Consumer Unit, which was requested jd? If your shower is indeed 8.5 KW : 8500W/230V = 36.96A .
The Fuse maybe overloaded on Full power so over a period of time may become hot while the Shower is running, it's there to protect the wiring not the shower though.
The Fuse maybe overloaded on Full power so over a period of time may become hot while the Shower is running, it's there to protect the wiring not the shower though.
True, but if one can find the relevant small print, one discovers that the power consumption of these things are nearly always quoted at 240V, in which case the current drawn by a "8.5 kW" shower at 230V would be roughly ..
8500 / 240 x (230 / 240) = 33.94 A
... but still over 30A. However, although slightly over 30A, that current should not blow a 30A fuse (if that is what we are talking about) - although, as you suggest, it could reduce the lifespan of the fuse.
Kind Regards, John
No, your CU can only supply a maximum 30A fuse.
How soon does the fuse blow after you turn on the shower?
Do any other sockets or appliances stop working when it blows?
You need identifying labels under each fuse to say what it supplies. There may be notes inside the plastic lid.
How soon does the fuse blow after you turn on the shower?
Do any other sockets or appliances stop working when it blows?
You need identifying labels under each fuse to say what it supplies. There may be notes inside the plastic lid.
NO, a higher rated fuse is NOT OK.
The fuse is there to protect the cabling. If you increase the size of the fuse, whatever is causing the fault could make the cable overheat=fire. Not what you want.
@jd67 You aren't very helpful when asked questions. This one is very important.
Also, you havent actually told us which of the fuses is blowing. Is it one of the red ones???
Finally, I do not see an RCD in your picture. Is there one, mounted somewhere else?
Probably you need to answer your own realisation...
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Some of the old Wilex fuse boxes can take a larger fuse with first fuse carrier only, I don't know what part numbers change there is between the two types, I can only tell once the fuse carrier base is removed, however it would also likely require a heavier cable and that would be a major problem.
The re-wire-able fuse today is not permitted when the installation is in the charge of an ordinary person, it has to be a cartridge fuse or MCB because it is so hard to be sure the wire used is the correct size, but cartridge fuses are expensive.
An electrician will have a clamp on meter and can easy test what power the shower is using, so he will know if fault is shower selection or faulty fuse wire, but then the next problem is although there is nothing to say you can't continue to use the existing consumer unit, nothing new can now be added and comply with regulations.
I have not seen a shower in years which does not say must be RCD protected, so if wrong shower then unlikely a new one can be officially fitted powered from that fuse box, so likely your looking at changing the fuse box for a type tested distribution unit called a consumer unit, this can expose other faults so the job can escalate, so it may be cheaper to go for a hot and cold supplied mechanical shower instead.
The re-wire-able fuse today is not permitted when the installation is in the charge of an ordinary person, it has to be a cartridge fuse or MCB because it is so hard to be sure the wire used is the correct size, but cartridge fuses are expensive.
An electrician will have a clamp on meter and can easy test what power the shower is using, so he will know if fault is shower selection or faulty fuse wire, but then the next problem is although there is nothing to say you can't continue to use the existing consumer unit, nothing new can now be added and comply with regulations.
I have not seen a shower in years which does not say must be RCD protected, so if wrong shower then unlikely a new one can be officially fitted powered from that fuse box, so likely your looking at changing the fuse box for a type tested distribution unit called a consumer unit, this can expose other faults so the job can escalate, so it may be cheaper to go for a hot and cold supplied mechanical shower instead.
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