Electric Shower Replacement

[brynheulwen]

Hi People !

I recently removed my old 8.5kwTriton T60i and replaced it with a 10.5kw Triton Bewitched model. My question is, now that the shower is installed and working fine, is it safe !
The house was completely rewired 5 years ago so has a modern Distribution Board (with MCB's). The Shower cable appears to be 6mm (same as cooker cable) and there is a 40amp MCB fitted at the Distribution Board. The distance from the board to the actual shower unit, including the drop down the wall is approximately 6 metres, the cable is buried in a plastered wall for just over half of the distance, the rest being exposed in the attic area above the insulation.

I understand that preference these days is for 10mm cable to be used, but, i am where i am, so would welcome any assurance that it is safe as it is. If necessary, would changing the MCB make it safer ?

Many thanks for any advice/reassurance given.

Vernon
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[securespark]

I cannot reassure you this arrangement is safe.

6mm² cable is only good to around 8.5kW.

40A is only good for 9.2kW.

You need to change both.

10.5 kW= 45.7A

Plus, you need to assess installation method & cable length in relation to cable size and whether you have main equipotential bonding & supplementary bonding & RCD protection as per manufacturer's instructions.

 

[brynheulwen]

That was fast and much appreciated

Having bought the shower just yesterday, Im wondering if its a better option to return it and exchange for an 8.5kw model. Whilst changing the MCB is easy, replacing the cable would mean hacking at the wall which is best avoided i guess

Thanks again for your reply

 

[securespark]

If you can't replace the cable, then limit the cable load to 8.5kW.

But it is worth installing/ upgrading meb's & supplementary bonding & installing an RCD if not already fitted.

 

[Steve]

I doubt they will let you return the shower in a used condition unless there is something wrong with it. Obvious reasons.

 

[brynheulwen]

Took the shower down, dried it with a hair dryer and B&Q echanged it for an 8.5 kw model with no fuss at all.

Mission Accomplished !

 

[Steve]

Took the shower down, dried it with a hair dryer and B&Q echanged it for an 8.5 kw model with no fuss at all.

Mission Accomplished !

B&Q will return anything lol. There was a fit blond girl working on the returns desk last time i was there. what would she know about showers or belt sanders?

 

[brynheulwen]

Being blonde, i suspect showers and belt sanders may not be her strong point............but, i dare say she has some hidden talent!

 

[securespark]

Hey, don't knock women!!

There was a girl who used to work at my local hire shop. I hired a chain saw that didn't work so I took it back.

After 5 secs, she told me I had forgotten to sprokle the gogglewazzer (or whatever it was, I can't remember!)

She certainly knew her stuff, yet looked sweet and innocent about all things mechanical!