9.5kw shower on a 6mm cable - Electricians in here please!

KILOCHARLIE

Hi, I've finally found a shower I really want.....

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8320201.htm

Unfortunately it only comes in a 9.5kw version. I have a 6mm cable which supposedly is only good for an 8.5kw at maximum (as long as its below 18 meters in length).

My cable is only 9 meters in length. Also the shower has a power selector.

I was wondering if it is ok to fit this shower and generally use the medium power selection and only occasionally use the high option in the depths of the winter?

Me and my electrician friend have fitted the cable ourselves and it does not run through anything that could cause a problem should the cable become hot (in worst case scenario).

Please help!

WestonDave

Leaving aside the question of occasional 9.5 use on a 6mm cable - the reality is that you just aren't going to get away with using the reduced power for anything other than very hot summer days when you want a cool shower.

The way these things work is that reduced power is greatly reduced - we aren't talking about knocking it down to an 8.5kw equivalent - its going to be around 5kw or less. That means that the volume of water it can heat to anything like an acceptable temperature is going to be minute - so you'll have a hot dribble (literally!) or a cold decent flow (and that's bearing in mind electric showers generally have lower flow than a power shower!).

My advice is pick another shower or change the cable - I realise you like the chrome finish, but you'll live to hate this shower if you have to run it reduced to avoid overloading the cable. Incidentally if you live anywhere with any limescale in the water, you'll be forever trying to get the water marks off that polished chrome finished - get a white one and you won't see them!

(I had a quick scan of the Creda website and it talks about "may be able to use the medium setting in summer" - doesn't sound that promising to me)

orainsear

For a 9.5 kW shower use 10mm squared cable with a 45 Amp RCBO. This work is notifiable to your local authority building control under part P regulations.

thescouselander

I wouldn't advise using 6mm cable. Suppose someone (eg a guest at your house) turns the shower to high power and overloads the cable. You might get away with it but do you want to risk burning your house down?

crox

thescouselander wrote:

I wouldn't advise using 6mm cable. Suppose someone (eg a guest at your house) turns the shower to high power and overloads the cable. You might get away with it but do you want to risk burning your house down?

Won't look good when you sell the house either, here are the keys, oh and by the way if you turn the shower on full you might burn the house down...

espresso

KILOCHARLIE wrote:

Me and my electrician friend have fitted the cable ourselves and it does not run through anything that could cause a problem should the cable become hot (in worst case scenario).

Please help!

So why don't you and your "electrician friend" do the job properly and fit the correct cable?

:rolleyes:

greyteam1959

Is your electrician friend the other half of Bodgit and Scarper ??????

KILOCHARLIE

'fraid not, but instead of forking out for a load of 10mil cable, he had some "borrowed" 6mil in the back of his car. This is a money saving forum after all, ha. Saved on petrol too. Plus name me another electrician you can pay with weed instead of cash, ya bunch of neggets!

Thanks for your replies. WestonDave has the right idea so I've decided to get another shower. It'll look crap but I suppose it'll work to its full potential and I won't have to worry. Thanks.

greyteam1959

KILOCHARLIE wrote:

'fraid not, but instead of forking out for a load of 10mil cable, he had some "borrowed" 6mil in the back of his car. This is a money saving forum after all, ha. Saved on petrol too. Plus name me another electrician you can pay with weed instead of cash, ya bunch of neggets!

Thanks for your replies. WestonDave has the right idea so I've decided to get another shower. It'll look crap but I suppose it'll work to its full potential and I won't have to worry. Thanks.

Gordon Bennet what next........plumbers that you can pay with washers !!!

To be honest Kilocharlie you have just brightened up a very dismal day
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Avoriaz

Using [strike] stolen [/strike] borrowed cable has saved you no more than a few pounds. Now you have to have a crap looking shower that will never give you a decent hot shower in winter.

Great money saving. :rolleyes:

When your house burns down because of all the dodgy under rated wiring, I hope you and your pot head spark can have a good laugh about it.

KILOCHARLIE

^^^^ whoa!

check out mr ever-so-bitter. Who would think people would have that much angst at 2:24 in the morning? Me and my electrician are laughing at your lame sour !!! right now.

For anyone who made constructive coments and cares, I picked up a 8.5kw shower yesterday from wickes for £80. Looks pretty good and I saved £45 on not buying the one from argos. It'll be decent enough in the winter and suits the cable fine. Thanks for all your help!