Identifying shower fault

[Larry1990]

Hey folks, can anyone help me with a problem for a relative please?

They have an electric shower that does not work as in there appears to be no power to it. They have had a plumber and two electricians out to look, one quoted 3k to fit a new wire between the isolator and shower and fit a new shower. Another said the wire needed replacing but did not quote.

Is there some tests I could do with a multimeter or similar to determine if it's one or both that need replacing?

Relative states that the isolater was left in a state where it could not be turned on or off.

Cheers

Larry

 

[Adam_151]

First things first, turn the power off and take a picture of the back of the isolator,I'm guessing its probably burnt up and theres not enough slack to reterminate (going on the fact that the isolator couldn't be physically switched) Also a picture of the inside of the shower unit wouldn't go amiss either. Its probably unlikely the it needs re-wiring back to the isolator *and* a new shower, and 3k sounds very much on the high side

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They have had a plumber and two electricians out to look, one quoted 3k to fit a new wire between the isolator and shower and fit a new shower. Another said the wire needed replacing but did not quote.

That's several orders of magnitude, over the cost of fitting a new shower from scratch, so very likely unqualified chancers, seeking their fortune..

If the isolating switch doesn't operate properly, the likelihood is it is the switch which has failed. A quick, cheap replacement job.

 

[CBW]

I would be checking for voltages 1st at the shower, if there’s voltage there then it’s a shower issue, if not there’s then it’s the switch, or further upstream.

 

[Larry1990]

Thank you guys, they quoted 2 days labour at 900 a day. I have put pictures below, there was very little slack in the wires.

 

[CBW]

2 days labour for cable between shower and isolator! Overpriced and taking the pis5 imo.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do you have any means of checking for mains voltage, and the experience to use it?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

2 days labour for cable between shower and isolator! Overpriced and taking the pis5 imo.

..and cables rarely fail.

 

[Larry1990]

I don't have anh equipment. Happy to buy a multimeter or similar and learn if it's DIY able.

 

[sparkwright]

3K??????????????????????????????

Don't use them.

I see you have old coloured wires at the switch, and new coloured wires at the shower - so presumably there is a joint somewhere, which may be worth looking at as well.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I don't have anh equipment. Happy to buy a multimeter or similar and learn if it's DIY able.

I would not be entirely happy advising anyone, with zero experience, how to check and work on mains voltages. Do you have any more experienced friends?

 

[Larry1990]

Relative is in a different city so don't have any DIY minded friends here. If it's a case of get a couple of more quotes and it should be a lot less than 3k then that's already saved them a lot of money.

 

[Larry1990]

Relative is now telling me the other electrician quited 400 for replacing the wire between the shower and isolator, sounds more reasonable?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Relative is now telling me the other electrician quited 400 for replacing the wire between the shower and isolator, sounds more reasonable?

Certainly much better, but isolator to shower, is likely only 1 or 2 meters of cable, so still very expensive. Who decided this cable was at fault?

As someone already mentioned, there much be a joint between isolator and shower - that joint is worth finding and investigating, assuming the isolator is now working as it should?

 

[Larry1990]

Isolator is still jammed on. As soon as turning the shower circuit on at the consumer unit it immediately bangs and trips off. The cable is all buried in a wall so would need to go knocking off plaster to find the joint.