Electric shower cable

[kevt_uk]

I've just bought a 10,5Kw electric shower to replace the 8,5Kw one which has worked happily for 10years and now failed. The 8,5Kw unit is wired with 6mm T&E which I'm told is not suitable for the newer unit. Is 10mm T&E enough or does it need to be 16mm? The cable run is about 15Metres. Shower is to be fitted professionally, but I can get cable cheap through contact, and can fit this.

 

[didthathurt]

It may not be quite as straight forward as that. You will need 10mm T+E for a 10.5kW shower. You'll also need to replace the circuit protection as this will need a 50Amp MCB and the existing one is, probably, a 40Amp one. If you have a modern CU, this will be no problem, if not, it may entail upgrading the CU or installing a dedicated CU for the shower with RCD protection (or even an RCBO - just to please John D). In addition, as the existing unit is over 10 years old, it may be that the supplementary bonding is not up to spec for this, basically, new installation.

http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/NL139supp.pdf
This will explain what I mean.

Don't forget, this is notifiable work and must involve Building Control or be carried out by a Part P self certifier, hopefully, your professional will be aware of this requirement.

 

[securespark]

Don't forget to choose a 50A switch, too.

 

[Steve]

your consumer unit may or may not be up to the job either. for a fairly definite answer, post a picture of it here.