Shower isolation switch problem

sancho

Hi there,

I have just got out of the shower and when I went to turn the isolation switch off it wouldn't 'click' - I pulled it a few times and appears to have turned off, but now won't turn back on.

There's a light on it which hasn't worked for over a year (the switch was fine though). I felt the box which the pull cord goes to and it was quite hot.

The switch looks like but the 'pattress box' isn't recessed into the ceiling, it sticks out

I presume the switch will need replacing anyway due to it not working, however should it get hot?

Is is a job I can do myself? If not how much roughly would I be looking at paying to get it replaced?

Thanks in advance

zax47

£25-35 labour plus £8-12 of parts. Do at least one a week, nearly always loose connections causing heating, burning and failure of the mechanism. Can do them in half an hour on a good day.

newbie1980

sancho wrote: »

Hi there,

I have just got out of the shower and when I went to turn the isolation switch off it wouldn't 'click' - I pulled it a few times and appears to have turned off, but now won't turn back on.

There's a light on it which hasn't worked for over a year (the switch was fine though). I felt the box which the pull cord goes to and it was quite hot.

The switch looks like but the 'pattress box' isn't recessed into the ceiling, it sticks out

I presume the switch will need replacing anyway due to it not working, however should it get hot?

Is is a job I can do myself? If not how much roughly would I be looking at paying to get it replaced?

Thanks in advance

hi i work for myself and this would cost between £35-£45
you could do it yourself but depends on legth of cables as ive had a few tight ones hence them calling me
ive never checked one after being in use but remember you are carrying in excess of 7kw through it

dave

sancho

Wow, that was quick.

Either of you based anywhere near Grantham/Peterborough?

macman

Could just be the switch, but I would also want to check that both it and cable are of the correct rating for the shower that has been installed? All too common for people to replace the shower for one of a higher kW rating and fail to upgrade the circuit to match.
Yes, you can do it yourself as long as you know how to isolate the circuit and work safely.

sancho

I'm always a bit funny with electrics. Especially in the shower.

We've been here for nearly 2 years and I think the shower was new before we moved in (the house was redecorated throughout). Might ring a man (or woman) who can tomorrow.

macman

Sensible then, always err on the side of caution with electric showers. With some approaching 10kW you really don't want to get it wrong...

newbie1980

sorry not based near you
but if changing urself check the rating as most older houses i recommend the shower being no bigger than 7.5kw rating(my personal opinion) normally written on underneith of shower due to cable size normally 6mm twin and earth
also if u wire it and light stays when on or off on uve wired it back to front

sancho

Electrician came this morning, said that overheating had caused it to melt, probably a loose connection (like was mentioned)

£25 all in, job done. Thanks a lot