Electric shower

seikothrill

I have broke shower which is not good timing in this heat.

I purchased the exact same model, well so I thought as a replacement.

I get home and existing shower is 8.5k W but replacement is 9.5 k W. Can I install replacement despite change in W or will I require some sort of rewire?

Thanks

macman

It depends on the gauge of the cabling already installed from the consumer unit, and the length and nature of the cable run (surface mounted, in conduit etc), and the rating of the RCD you have fitted.
If you can't tell what the gauge is, then you need a qualified sparky to check.
So assume that it will not be adequate until you know otherwise.
That extra 1000W will draw another 4A+ at peak load., around 40A.

[Deleted User]

My shower is broken too. It is a 30 year old 7kw one on it's own 30amp fuse in the fuse box (no RCD). I understand the wiring was last redone 30 years ago too. Should it still be safe for a 8.5kw or higher shower?

The cable it is on is a thick grey one.

warmhands.coldheart

Deleted_User wrote: »

My shower is broken too. It is a 30 year old 7kw one on it's own 30amp fuse in the fuse box (no RCD). I understand the wiring was last redone 30 years ago too. Should it still be safe for a 8.5kw or higher shower?

The cable it is on is a thick grey one.

P=IV
8500 = I x 240
I = 8500/240
I = 35.5 Amps

Simple answer NO !!

oh that and the fact the wiring is 30 years old, Personally I'd suggest getting it re-wired....

[Deleted User]

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

P=IV
8500 = I x 240
I = 8500/240
I = 35.5 Amps

Simple answer NO !!

oh that and the fact the wiring is 30 years old, Personally I'd suggest getting it re-wired....

It has actually been broken a number of years but never bothered with it. But would like a shower again for quickness instead of baths.

Whole house needs a refurb, not just the wiring but simply don't have the cash for it.

Myser

The equation used above is correct. As to whether you can fit a higher wattage shower will depend on the wiring, switch rating and fuse/mini circuit breaker amperage rating. The RCD does not need to be changed.

The fact that the wiring is 30 years old doesn't necessarily mean it's not suitable. You would need to check the condition of it first.

Best to call in a competent electrician if you are not sure.

mehera

No no no!

Jes - this is dangerous stuff!

Do you have the tools and the aptitude to be replacing/rewiring an electric shower?

Are you going to test the circit properly even after isolating?

1) Do not fit a 9.5kw shower as a replacement for an 8,5kw one. Get another 8.5kw shower and you may be ok provided you can fit it without electrocuting yourself!

2) Never, ever fit a shower without an RCD! You will need a new consumer unit, and rewiring. 7kw showers are not very common these days. You need a complete upgrade!

It is actually breaking electrical regs to install an electrical shower without an RCD or adequate wiring . . .

Call a sparky straight away!

You may need to upgrade your fuse for the whole property as well as stated an electric shower uses a LOT of ampage.

Still I am a plumber not an electrician (but I know when I need to call one in!)

[Deleted User]

I've seen some new 7.x kw showers on Ebay. I'm not fussed about the kw anyway.

And no, no way would I be fitting it myself. I would get sparky in.

mehera

Good!

But don't be surprised when they refuse to do so without some upgrades to your consumer unit.

If the shower goes live and you do not have an RCD on your system you are taking a bit of a risk to put it mildly!!!

[Deleted User]

Could they not just install a new mini consumer unit/RCD just for the shower?

Myser

Deleted_User wrote: »

Could they not just install a new mini consumer unit/RCD just for the shower?

They probably could but rather than jumping to conclusions about the suitability of the OP's supply fuse and current consumer unit, it's best to call in a competent electrician.

OP are you able to post pictures of your existing consumer unit and main intake fuses?