Relocating Shower Unit

BertieUK

The replacement unit is the same wattage as the one that I was going to replace, 8.5Kw, like for like.

The switched on/off box measures 6" x 3.5". When I took the cover off , I could not move it very much due to the restricted area, the cable looked quite a heavy one that had been fitted. Due to this restriction I could make out the words BS 3674 England Mains and the usual L and N but nothing else.

Being in my 70s I am not into computers much, so your kind suggestion to use photobucket is out of my league.

regards

Bob

27col

Anyone who knew anything about electrical wiring would know how to look in the box quite safely and see if there was a fuse in there. If you cannot do that then you are not really competent to do the job.

paulpud

From the description the 'switched on/off box' sounds like a 45A isolator

Does it look something like this?

BertieUK

That is exactly what it looks like yes.

regards

paulpud

In that case it sounds like your shower has been fed via a double-pole isolating plateswitch at the fuseboard rather than a pull-type one in the bathroom. This being the case switching off this switch should isolate the power to the shower but before proceeding further, as with working on any electrical circuit, make sure 100% that the cable is dead or there is a very good chance you will be!

BertieUK

Paulpud Thanks for your input in this matter. I do always check that the cable is dead, maybe thats why I am still alive. That has cleared up the question.

Thanks also to other forum members for their help. If we did not ask questions there would be no use or need for this forum, then the 'comedians' would not have a stage to perform on.

regards

Bob

macman

And get an RCD installed on that circuit, if not covered by one on the CU. With 37A being drawn at full load you really don't want to take any risk with shower circuits.
I thought the isolator had to be fitted adjacent to, or as near as possible to the shower? Siting it next to the CU is another indication of a bodge.

BertieUK

macman You make good sense in this suggestion.

I think that they fitted the isolator near to the main fuse box, as a way of avoiding them having to go up into the loft area with the cable, come through the ceiling then on to the shower itself. Money saving exercise I think.

I will get a sparky to fit a RCD to the circuit and get him to check the full house to see if there is anymore 'botches'

regards

paulpud

My understanding is that, although fitting a pull-switch in the bathroom is the norm, there is no actual requirement under BS7671 to provide this isolation, and as long as the installation has a suppliers earth (not a TT system) you are permitted to consider just the circuit mcb as adequate isolation.

If this circuit is connected to a fuse rather than an mcb, perhaps that is the reason for the DP isolator. Or, of course, it could just be a bit of a bodge.

bungle4by4

im not being funny, but you are not competant to fit this cable. more luck than judgement too you if you carry on with this job.