Steam Shower Supply

[Brownstone1892]

Hi all,

We moved into a house with an Insignia INS0509 Steam Shower installed last July, and it was working fine for around a year, then it started to trip the leccy. We didn't use it for while, then tried it again and all was fine for a couple of days when it started tripping the leccy again.

On Sunday, I decided to investigate, so I pulled the unit away from the wall to see how it's connected to the power, and I found this:

That plastic bag containing the plug/RCD and socket was hanging under the floorboards by some cable ties, with half an inch of water in the bottom of the bag!

Once I'd recovered from the shock (no pun intended), I decided to have a think about how it should be done correctly. The cable from the the socket runs under the floor to a fused spur on the outside of the bathroom. Now, unfortunately the cable with the RCD/3 pin plug on isn't very long, but it does go into a control box and looks like this if removed:

So it could be extended by running a longer flex from the control box, I assume.

Here's where the shower unit lives:

They've even made a right hash of the flooring what the shower stands on. No idea why it wasn't just tiled all the way, leaving a gap for the waste piping and water feeds.

All things considered, it's a shocking installation, and I need to put it right for my 7 months pregnant Wife to be using.

Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.

All the best for 2016 to all!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Well the first thing is to cure what ever is responsible for the water ingress/leak.
Obviously this is not suitable installation as the socket and plug can hardly be called accessible.
If the plug/rcd and flex cannot be extended to an accessible location outside the 3m bathroom socket rule or outside the bathroom. The I would cut the plug and RCD off and fit a MF junction box and extend the cable to a FCU which incorporates 30mA RCD protection if this does not already exist on the circuit.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ803.html

But I would be before undertaking this work, be having a word with the installer! and I would be quoting from the supply of goods and service act.

 

[Brownstone1892]

Thanks for your reply PrenticeBoy, The source of the water was from a cross-threaded connection feeding the shower riser, another thing they didn't do right! That's been remedied.

I think I will extend the plug/RCD under the floor to the cupboard which is on the other side of the wall on the right. The socket is connected via an FCU to a circuit which is protected by an RCD, so at least that bit was done right!

Many thanks for your advice,

BS...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But I would be before undertaking this work, be having a word with the installer!

Didn't the OP buy the house with the shower already there?

 

[eveares]

The I would cut the plug and RCD off and fit a MF junction box and extend the cable to a FCU which incorporates 30mA RCD protection if this does not already exist on the circuit.

That sounds like a good and sensible idea, although one may want to use a maintenance free junction box with a IP ratting of 44 or greater along with compression glands (such as a Wiska JB with Lever type Wago's inside) as you could easily get condensation around that area. I would then take that to the FCU outside the bathroom using 1.5mm² 3 core flex. Remember that if you screw a suitable IP rated JB down, to put silicon on the back to maintain the IP rating what the screw/s break.

If the FCU outside the bathroom is not already protected by a 30ma RCD, I would replace the FCU for one of these: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/KBRCD6000.html

Also, I am surprised no one has mention that this proposed work likely contends to notifiable work.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Also, I am surprised no one has mention that this proposed work likely contends to notifiable work.

If the electrical connections are made outside the bathroom zones 0, 1 and 2. It would not, which is what has been recommended.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Didn't the OP buy the house with the shower already there?

I believe he did, after a re-read and I suppose they now have accept this liability.

 

[Brownstone1892]

I appreciate the advice of using an IP rated junction box, but if I run a new 1.5mm² 3 core flex from the control unit of the shower to the cupboard outside the bathroom, I can make the new electrical connections without having to notify, yes? In essence, all I'm really doing is installing a new socket using an existing circuit, and extending the flex on the shower unit.

Thanks again for all of your advice chaps, I now know exactly what I'm going to with this.

BS...

 

[Taylortwocities]

I appreciate the advice of using an IP rated junction box, but if I run a new 1.5mm² 3 core flex from the control unit of the shower to the cupboard outside the bathroom, I can make the new electrical connections without having to notify, yes? .

Yes

 

[Brownstone1892]

Yes

Perfect, thanks!