Shower coming on with socket.

[amfisted]

Bit of a mystery—to me, anyhow.

We have one circuit serving all our ground floor sockets, and a separate circuit ( I hope) serving the electric shower.The system was checked and certificated following updating of the earthing and fitting of a new CU in 2014.

Today I was using a socket in the front bedroom (it's a bungalow). When I turned the power off at the wall the switch “caught” slightly, so didn’t go off with the usual "click". As it did so I heard an unusual noise from elsewhere in the property. Cut a long story short, I traced the noise: the isolator to the electric shower had been left on, and when the socket in the bedroom was switched off in a way that made it catch, the shower momentarily switched on and the head ejected water. How can this be?

(the socket in question is one of those adaptors that makes one socket into two.)

 

[EFLImpudence]

What kind of shower is it?

Electric shower - 8, 9, 10kW
or power shower using already heated water?

 

[amfisted]

Its a 8.5kw Redring Expressions electric shower.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Sorry, another question first.

What is the switch at the wall which controls a socket?

 

[AndyPRK]

I guess the shower doesn't like electrical noise and this has triggered it.

 

[amfisted]

It was a standard single wall socket...not sure what the official name for them is. I fitted one of those "one socket into two" adaptors a couple of years back. Haven't had any problems since, till today (if today IS a problem)

 

[flameport]

and when the socket in the bedroom was switched off in a way that made it catch,

Replace the socket - it shouldn't be possible to switch it off in the way you describe. The switch is worn out.

 

[amfisted]

Yes, I'm sure you're right. Its not that old, but definitely "catches" as you switch it off. Would that cause the shower to momentarily come on, though?

 

[flameport]

Electrical arcing can cause all kinds of unwanted things - it's wideband interference which can affect any electronic device. Including those which belong to your neighbours.

 

[amfisted]

Had no idea, thanks. I'll change the socket on Monday.