Electric Shower - small spark from connectors

[SimonSho]

HI All,

I did do a search for this but you can imagine how many results were returned for electric shower and spark.

I have installed a new shower and i noticed when turning the shower on and off that there was a small spark coming from the connectors. this is away from the wiring and i have had an electrician connect my cabling and he said it was all good.

I then got sent a new unit and it does the same thing - is this normal, its a tiny spark just when starting and stopping the shower.

Below is the image of the shower and where the sparks are, they are behind the 2 white connectors

Shower

• SimonSho
• 9 Aug 2013
• 1

Circled is the area where a small spark comes from. its behind the 2 white connectors.

Thanks
Simon

 

[flyingsparks]

They are crimped push on connections. When you get a large load like a shower you will likely get a small spark if the connection is not 100% tight. Do the crimps feel at all loose? You may be able to gently squeeze them with pliers so they grip the spade lug tighter. Probably nothing to worry about tho.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Can't be that tiny, surely, if you can see it through the casing of the shower?

 

[bernardgreen]

More than likely the spark is in the switch that turns the power on and off when the control knob is turned and not in the connections.

If a connector is making poor contact then the sparking will be continuous when the shower is running and not jsut when the power is turned on or off.

 

[SimonSho]

Thanks Guys. I was told by someone else its probably not something to worry about. ill try tightening up the connections with some pliers and see how that goes.

It is literally when turned on and off not continuous so i thought it might just be as its drawing a lot of power.

ban-all-sheds - case off i know its not recommended.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You're using the shower with the case off?

I'll be back - just going away to think of something a little stronger than "not recommended"

 

[davelx]

You're using the shower with the case off?

I'll be back - just going away to think of something a little stronger than "not recommended"

Perhaps he enjoys a game of Russian Roulette. I guess it's one way to commit suicide - eventually.

 

[rjm2k]

maybe he's just very carefully testing it with the cover off before sealing it up properly and using it

 

[bernardgreen]

ill try tightening up the connections with some pliers and see how that goes.

Very often "tightening up" the connections with a pair of pliers will weaken the connection,

If it is necessary to improve a slide on then it must be taken of the spade and slightly closed. Too much squeeze and you will go past the elastic limit of the metal and it will no longer be as springy as it needs to be.

If the contact is bad there will soon be signs of heating on the terminal. If that happens then the slide on will need to be replaced.

 

[SimonSho]

no i'm not using the shower with the case off, testing it with the hose off the hook in the bath facing away from the shower nowhere near it. as rjm2k said to test it before i seal it and start using it. But thanks for your kind consideration for my health and well-being.

Thanks Bernard, i think ill leave it, as i said ive had it replaced and it was the same so im pretty sure its ok, an electrician had a look over it and he agreed it all looked ok.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What do you mean "seal it"?

AT NO TIME E V E R SHOULD THE SHOWER E V E R BE OPERATED WITH THE CASING REMOVED.

E V E R.

 

[flameport]

Had you followed the instructions and fitted the cover before switching on, the 'problem' of the sparks would not have been noticed.

As for 'sealing up' - the cover is fixed with a single screw. Takes seconds to fit. There is absolutely NO reason at all to operate it with the cover removed.

In using it with no cover, you have
a. placed yourself and others in unnecessary danger
b. wasted the manufacturers time and money in requesting a new unit
c. wasted everyone's time with this irrelevant discussion

Next time, fit the cover to whatever appliance is being installed before switching on.

 

[riveralt]

an electrician had a look over it and he agreed it all looked ok.

Not only should he have looked at it - he/she should have tested it and completed the appropriate documentation before fitting the cover.

He should then have followed the manufacturers instructions regarding commissioning the shower BEFORE handing it over to you.

He wasn't an electrician he was a charlatan - or perhaps he doesn't exist.

 

[SimonH2]

What do you mean "seal it"?

AT NO TIME E V E R SHOULD THE SHOWER E V E R BE OPERATED WITH THE CASING REMOVED.

E V E R.

IMO, that is just so much male bovine manure.

I would always test the newly installed shower with the cover off. If you don't do that, how can you have any confidence that ... say ... the manufacturer didn't cock up and leave it with a water leak over the electrics ?

Of course, when testing I would take suitable precautions to keep water spray away from the insides of the unit

 

[riveralt]

What do you mean "seal it"?

AT NO TIME E V E R SHOULD THE SHOWER E V E R BE OPERATED WITH THE CASING REMOVED.

E V E R.

IMO, that is just so much male bovine manure.

As is your response I'm afraid and perhaps only goes to highlight the importance of the health warning you give at the bottom of your posts.

I would always test the newly installed shower with the cover off. If you don't do that, how can you have any confidence that ... say ... the manufacturer didn't cock up and leave it with a water leak over the electrics ?

Commissioning of the shower is different than testing.
Commissioning invariably involves 'Turning the power off first' unlike the OP who sought to commission the shower with the cover off and the power on.

Of course, when testing I would take suitable precautions to keep water spray away from the insides of the unit

The roll of the eyes says its all!