Replacing Electric Shower

krishing

Hi Everyone
I don't know if this is right area for my query but maybe someone can help. My Triton 180 7.5 kw electric shower sort of blew up today. There was a bang, water flooded from the box bringing out some rusty particals. I believe the unit is more than 15 years old. Does anyone have any advice re
1 how possible a repair might be
2 how easy or difficult it is to install a new shower doing it myself. I'd say I am a competent DIYer, though I haven't done much electrical work.
Thanks in advance.
Krishing

alanwsg

Replacing it yourself is now illegal.
All electrical work in a bathroom (or any "wet" area) requires a qualified electrician.

samtheman1k

alanwsg wrote: »

Replacing it yourself is now illegal.
All electrical work in a bathroom (or any "wet" area) requires a qualified electrician.

That is not true. You can replace it yourself, you just need to get it checked by your local building control, eventually

HappyMJ

Replacing like for like is not illegal. If you were to install an 8.5kw shower you'd need to get a qualified person in to verify everything.

samtheman1k

Actually, it's more untrue than I thought, according to the IET:

If I replace an existing electric shower with a new electric shower connected to an existing shower circuit is this notifiable work?

A:No, providing the shower is a like for like replacement

http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/14b/part-p-comes-into-force.cfm?type=pdf

newbie1980

samtheman1k wrote: »

Actually, it's more untrue than I thought, according to the IET:



http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/14b/part-p-comes-into-force.cfm?type=pdf

but you still need a minor works certifcate to verify the electrical wiring and isolation/breakers are correct
no it doesnt need to be registered but if u put the wrong size shower in it is likely to cause serious damage if not a fire.
and you struggle to get 76.5kw showers now except from a wholesalers and most manufacturers reccomend 10mm cable on the 8.5kw ones for the above reason(fire risk if not correct)

krishing

Thank you to everyone who replied to my earlier posting. In fact it was a Triton T80 8kw. Further testing showed that it continued to heat but much water came from the box from what looks like an overflow type tube. Anyway, i'll probably replace with a Triton Cara 8.5kw which has three settings cold, eco and hot. I'd appreciate views on how this type of product performs (the T80 had a dial with effectively 12 settinga). Also, what do 9.5kw showers do which say 8.5kw ones don't. On the same setting would water from a 9.5kw be hotter than a 8.5kw?
Thanks.
Krishing

Cardew

If you have a 9.5kW for a given set temperature you will get a greater flow of hot water. You need to get electrical regulations checked out for a shower of that power.

The Triton Cara apparently has separate controls for both flow and temperature.

You need to ensure that the plumbing - i.e. where the water enters the shower - is the same as your current shower or you will have to modify.

macman

If you are going from 8kW to 9.5kW, then the cable and isolator switch may well need uprating-and you should take the opportunity to fit an RCD if not already present. You need to know exactly what is required to do the job safely and for that reason you should not attempt this yourself on the info given so far..

cing0

I got a cheap replacement for my old Triton from ebay a couple of years ago and was pretty much a drop in replacement and no certification needed. The only slight difficulty was sawing the olive off the supply water pipe as the new Ttriton had a metric thread nut. Check youtube for some good Triton guide videos as its simple.