Shower woes, including 6mm vs 10mm

[Steve]

Pictures!

 

[securespark]

Is the earth wire one solid wire or is it multi-strand?
Solid will probably be 6mm and stranded probably 10.

If the main switch of your Wylex fuse box is labelled at less than 100A or not labelled at all, your fuse box in all liklihood will not be designed to accept a circuit breaker bigger than 30/32A.

 

[mfarrow]

Is there a guard behind the cooker MCB? It looks a bit suspect to me. And possibly upgraded at some point looking at its position, perhaps badly! I assume the cable size is OK?

 

[SteveDolphin]

Pictures!

There are tonnes already

 

[SteveDolphin]

Is the earth wire one solid wire or is it multi-strand?
Solid will probably be 6mm and stranded probably 10.

It's a solid single strand.

 

[SteveDolphin]

Is there a guard behind the cooker MCB? It looks a bit suspect to me. And possibly upgraded at some point looking at its position, perhaps badly! I assume the cable size is OK?

To be honest I think it's ALL a bit suspect, and I kinda knew that getting the CU replaced would be a thing I'd have to do...

 

[securespark]

Is the earth wire one solid wire or is it multi-strand?
Solid will probably be 6mm and stranded probably 10.

If the main switch of your Wylex fuse box is labelled at less than 100A or not labelled at all, your fuse box in all liklihood will not be designed to accept a circuit breaker bigger than 30/32A.

Late again, Abbott.....

Sorry, Sir!

 

[Risteard]

No, it's not: https://i.imgur.com/LZF6Kph.jpg

Yes, it is. (Or just nonexistant in that photo.)

 

[maturestudent16]

Cable is 6mm, which could be OK for a 9.5kW shower depending on how the cable is installed.
A 40A MCB would be required for a 9.5kW shower, but that fusebox is not suitable for anything above a 30A.

Options are therefore to either replace the entire fusebox, have a smaller CU fitted just for the shower, or ditch the electric shower completely and fit some other type.
What kind of boiler have you got?

If the shower itself is 9.5kW.
I = P/V . So, 9500W/240V = 39.58A
This means the shower itself will draw 39.58A, which is slightly less than 40A at MCB. If there are other electrical stuff in the bathroom such as heater. The MCB won't be tripping when everything is "ON" in the bathroom, for exceeding 40A at the CU?

 

[securespark]

1. The shower should be on its own dedicated circuit.

2. In this case, the shower is currently protected by a 30A MCB.