Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 444 Location: Cornwall, UK
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject:
What size are the wires to the shower? And what is the rating of the fuse (or mcb) which is at the origin of those wires?
If the shower is upto 8.5kw then 6mm wires are needed with a 32amp fuse (or mcb)
Showers bigger than this will need even bigger wires!
This is all assuming that the shower isn't too far from the fuse board. A cable run of more than about 10-15 meters and you will need bigger cable (10mm)
If the wires were originally put in place for a water heater, which will only need upto 3kw, then sticking an 8 or 9kw shower on these wires isn't good, unless you like fires.
I wouldn't even consider using a shower on a circuit which does not have rcd protection, so make sure you have an rcd in your system and check it works!
I'm an electrician, I have no problem with people doing diy electrics but please be careful, it's dangerous stuff and can cost your life if you're not careful!
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