Replacing Electric Shower...

TeamLowe

sorry if this seems like an obvious question, this is our first owned home and first electric shower, when we've rented they've been mixer tap ones

the electric shower we have doesn't work properly - turns on but there's no way to control the temperature so it's either too hot or freezing cold, as there's buttons to control the water flow, the temperature nob in the middle does nothing.

DH 'reckons' he knows which part it is that needs replacing to work for £40, but at the weekend we was in homebase and they had electric showers of the same brand (triton) for £65ish, which said they were easy to fit as had multiple outlet holes. so I'd rather just buy a new one rather than hope that DH is right about the part

So to my question - considering the plumbing and wiring is already done and we're just replacing one with another, is it ok to do as a diy job? my husband isn't handy but his friend is and they're confident it'll be fine but I'm a bit hesitant as I remember my science classes and electricity and water are not a good combination :rotfl:

And if you don't recommend that handyfriend does it, is it a plumber or an electrician we should ring?

I would LOVE to have a working shower - at the minute I can only have baths and my sore hips aren't appreciating that

TeamLowe

that's great thanks
so it'd be an electrician we'd need? any idea of price? we live in the north west if that makes a difference

pinkteapot

I thought that replacing an electric shower wasn't notifiable, so long as the new one is the same or lower power and therefore goes straight onto the existing wiring....?

https://www.tameside.gov.uk/buildingcontrol/guidancenotes/note20.pdf

Is the replacement electric shower or shower pump in a bathroom notifiable?

No - unless it is not on a like for like basis e.g. replacing a 3kw unit with a 12kw unit is notifiable or it involves the provision of a new circuit (such as to cope with an increased power rating). You are however advised due to this higher risk of electrocution to employ only competent electricians to undertake this work for you.

TeamLowe - if I'm wrong and it is notifiable then you need a Part P electrician to do it. If it's not notifiable, your gran can do it if you like.

Be aware that if you buy one of a higher power than the current one (e.g. going up from 8.5kw to 10.5kw) then your existing cabling may not be sufficient - you might need to have thicker cabling installed. Easiest thing is to ensure that you buy one that's only the same power as the current one.

If you don't know when the cabling was installed, or what sort of protection is on the circuit, do get a Part P sparky in to look at it as macman said.

TeamLowe

thanks for that pinkteapot, unfortunately i've no clue what the current wattage is as all the information left about the system was part of handwritten notes that said 'it's a bit temperamental, just play with it until you get it right' lol

A.Penny.Saved

If you can take the front cover off the shower, after disabling the power for the shower at the consumer unit. It will probably say somewhere inside the cover what power rating it is or a model number which you can look up. That is unless it's on the back of the shower in which case your SOL. That should give you more idea what power rating the replacement shower can be without requiring new higher power wiring.

Tip: Put the plug in the hole so that you don't drop any screws down the plug hole.

pinkteapot

TeamLowe wrote: »

thanks for that pinkteapot, unfortunately i've no clue what the current wattage is as all the information left about the system was part of handwritten notes that said 'it's a bit temperamental, just play with it until you get it right' lol

Ah. In that case I'd probably be calling out a proper sparky. They can check that the cabling is up to current standards. Get them round before you buy a new shower - if your current cabling is OK then they can tell you what wattage the old one is, so you can buy the same.

If the old cabling needs replacing regardless then you might as well buy whatever new shower you fancy.

imho

We have had Triton showers for years.When ours breaks i call Triton and tell them what model i have and ask what new model will fit straight in and they have always been cheaper than the high street and usually delivered the next day
My husband just replaces ours as the pipes are the same fitting

macman

Apologies, the info I posted was incorrect, so I've removed it. If it's a like-for-like replacement, then it's not notifiable, even in a bathroom. But anything else is (circuit cable upgrading, adding a RCD etc). But, since in this case the OP doesn't know the existing rating, it's clearly not safe for them to self-install a replacement without knowing what wattage the circuit cable and MCB is capable of handling. So definitely a job for a sparky, who can add also RCD protection if absent, which IMHO is essential, (though not a legal requirement).

paulsad

Screwfix are doing some good offers on showers too -but do get it fitted safely. Water, you in the buff and electricity is not a good mix!

Jonboy_1984

As an aside Screwfix almost always have offers around the £40/£50 mark for basic models.