Fitting a power shower.. Help!!

C_Mababejive · 13 March 2013 at 11:23AM

#11 You have a good electrician !

elliep_2 · 1 April 2013 at 5:41PM

I also have a shower problem. My current electric shower is malfunctioning and requires replacement. I don't know what the rating is of the current shower but it has 'super 7' printed on it.

It seems to be on a '32B' RCD. Is that the same as 32A? and does that mean that 7W is the largest shower I can have?

Because of the location of the shower I can't really pipe hot water there from the combi boiler. So I do need the kind of shower that takes a cold water only feed and heats it to give a warm/hot shower. I'd like to put in the most powerful shower that I can but I can't make sense of what I can fit onto my current cable and RCD.

I will not be fitting it myself but I need to purchase the shower so that my plumber can install it. It will then get checked by my electrician so I will be sure that it's safe but I need to figure out if I'll need new cable etc or whether to limit myself to a low-power shower.

diywhynot · 1 April 2013 at 5:44PM

elliep: your plumber or electrician should be able to advise you accordingly. Have you asked for their recommendations?

keystone · 1 April 2013 at 5:48PM

elliep wrote: »

I don't know what the rating is of the current shower but it has 'super 7' printed on it.

What is the make?

It seems to be on a '32B' RCD. Is that the same as 32A? and does that mean that 7W is the largest shower I can have?

32B is a model of RCD manufactured by MK. Yes its 32A

Cheers

elliep_2 · 1 April 2013 at 5:49PM

I have asked my electrician but he hasn't replied yet (bank holiday weekend) and I'm trying to research what's available and prices at the moment. I hoped that someone here might know what the biggest shower I can have on my current 32 RCD is? Then I can consider the options of choice between the size of shower that I can have or paying more to have new wire and RCD fitted and a bigger shower.

The plumber that I'm planning to use trained as a plumber a long time ago and is more of a carpenter / tiler now but still does a bit of plumbing work with water. I'd rather not take his advice on the safety of the shower really. It will be the electrician who has the final say, but if anyone here can help give me an idea or point me in the right direction for the information then I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks

elliep_2 · 1 April 2013 at 5:51PM

the current shower is a 'Redring super 7 S'

diywhynot · 1 April 2013 at 5:56PM

elliep wrote: »

I have asked my electrician but he hasn't replied yet (bank holiday weekend)

Having a well deserved break. Our office is closed until tomorrow morning as well.;)

The plumber that I'm planning to use trained as a plumber a long time ago and is more of a carpenter / tiler now but still does a bit of plumbing work with water. I'd rather not take his advice on the safety of the shower really.

Eek! Find someone competent to plumb in/ install. Many plumbers can advise and take responsibility for the entire install, plumbing and electrics.

elliep_2 · 1 April 2013 at 6:01PM

I really don't mind that my electrician is taking a break. He works hard and deserves to have his weekends off.

I'm sure the handyman will do a great job of refitting my bathroom and he will be able to ensure proper leak-free waterworks. I will have the electrician look over the shower after, and I'm satisfied that this will still be cheaper than having a more qualified person do the entire install. Is there any reason that you would fault my logic on this as if there is something I've not considered then I'd appreciate your thoughts on it.

diywhynot · 1 April 2013 at 6:09PM

elliep wrote: »

I really don't mind that my electrician is taking a break. He works hard and deserves to have his weekends off.

I'm sure the handyman will do a great job of refitting my bathroom and he will be able to ensure proper leak-free waterworks. I will have the electrician look over the shower after, and I'm satisfied that this will still be cheaper than having a more qualified person do the entire install. Is there any reason that you would fault my logic on this as if there is something I've not considered then I'd appreciate your thoughts on it.

You've used the dreaded H word.;) Jack of all trades don't generally fill many with confidence. I assume this individual has been recommended to you? Have you had quotes from plumbers for this refit for comparison?

southcoastrgi · 1 April 2013 at 6:39PM

I agree with dwn, you are planning to use a guy who trained as a plumber then decided to become a chippy/handyman, that in itself should start alarm bells ringing as far as "watertight" connections are concerned