Electric to Mixer Shower

[Mcknze21]

Hi All,

I currently have an electric shower fitted which gets extremly hot and is forever burning out the fuse switch outside the bathroom which I reguarly need to replace. That combined with fact that the pressure is OK but as we would like a good powerful shower, we are considering a mixer shower?

Is this the right route or could we stick with an electric shower but install a pump?

How simple would it be to install a mixer shower? Am I right in thinking all we need is a hot water supply to the shower location and that is us? Then there be no need for a fuse switch or electricity and the power would also be better or would even with a mixer would we still require a pump as well?

Any advice/guidance would be appreciated!! Also be good to see some of your set ups if you have photos or drawings of previous jobs!

 

[Chuck]

If the shower is "forever burning out the fuse switch" then it was incompetently installed in the first place and needs to be checked and sorted out by a qualified electrician. It's only a matter of time until your present arrangement burns your house down or electrocutes someone.

 

[Mcknze21]

If the shower is "forever burning out the fuse switch" then it was incompetently installed in the first place and needs to be checked and sorted out by a qualified electrician. It's only a matter of time until your present arrangement burns your house down or electrocutes someone.

If the shower is "forever burning out the fuse switch" then it was incompetently installed in the first place and needs to be checked and sorted out by a qualified electrician. It's only a matter of time until your present arrangement burns your house down or electrocutes someone.

This is fitted with a 45A Switch, this is what will burn out eventually. Not straight away but over time. I've always thoguht it was just the switches which were poor quality. This part always goes before the MCB on the board goes as you'd expect. The Shower is a 10.5KW electric shower so I have no idea why it would burn this out.

 

[SJB060685]

A 10.5kw electric shower is capable of tripping a 45 amp breaker. Current equals power divided by volts. 10,500 / 230 is over 45 amp

 

[Chuck]

This is fitted with a 45A Switch, this is what will burn out eventually. Not straight away but over time. I've always thoguht it was just the switches which were poor quality. This part always goes before the MCB on the board goes as you'd expect. The Shower is a 10.5KW electric shower so I have no idea why it would burn this out.

IMO, the switch is under-rated for a 10.5kW (44A @ 240V) shower. My guess is that the cable will be underated as well, should be at least 10mm. Showers need to be protected by an RCD or RCBO not an MCB. Wiring impedance ("Z" values) and earthing integrity need to be checked by an electrician using the proper kit.

@Murdoch - this is your domain, have I missed anything or got it wrong?

 

[Murdoch]

Lots of 45A switches are pants. You really need a 50A

and yes to the above RCD protection and main earth and bonding need to be up to scratch

 

[Mcknze21]

A 10.5kw electric shower is capable of tripping a 45 amp breaker. Current equals power divided by volts. 10,500 / 230 is over 45 amp

So maybe I should have a 50 amp fuse switch fitted outside bathroom?

 

[SJB060685]

So maybe I should have a 50 amp fuse switch fitted outside bathroom?

@Murdoch is our resident electrician and he has just commented. Best to seek his advice. I understand electricity but I am not a qualified electrician

 

[Mcknze21]

@Murdoch is our resident electrician and he has just commented. Best to seek his advice. I understand electricity but I am not a qualified electrician

OK thanks!

 

[Mcknze21]

Lots of 45A switches are pants. You really need a 50A

and yes to the above RCD protection and main earth and bonding need to be up to scratch

I will need to source a good 50A fuse switch instead then. Any recommendations?

 

[Chuck]

I will need to source a good 50A fuse switch instead then. Any recommendations?

I like Hager products, e.g.:

50A DP Ceiling Pull Switch with Neon White

Rated conditional short circuit current (Inc) 1500A tested with Hager MTN110 MCB

www.cef.co.uk

but you should really get an electrician to check the installation, particularly the sizing of the cable and the earthing and bonding.

 

[Mcknze21]

I like Hager products, e.g.:

50A DP Ceiling Pull Switch with Neon White

Rated conditional short circuit current (Inc) 1500A tested with Hager MTN110 MCB

www.cef.co.uk

but you should really get an electrician to check the installation, particularly the sizing of the cable and the earthing and bonding.

OK thanks I will.

My issue was I already had a switch on outsdie wall so would like keep that rather than a pull down cord if that was possible, anyone know?

 

[Mcknze21]

Can I also ask about the set up? I have a combi boiler with only cold water supply to my electric shower. As I'd like a more powerful shower, can a pump be fitted and/or am I better fitting a mixer? What's my options? Any advice?