electric shower upgrade from 9.5kw to 10.5kw

Joined
25 Oct 2006
Messages
43
Reaction score
0
Location
London
Country
United Kingdom
My old shower( Triton Opal 9.5kw) has packed in, I have replaced it with a new (Triton Martinique 10.5kw), it works fine for a while and then stops, the switch in the fuse box turns off too, i noticed its got a 32a in the fusebox, is this correct?

:confused:
 
Sponsored Links
32A would be ok for your old shower BUT not for your new one. The big problem is, WHAT SIZE CABLE DO YOU HAVE? Your old shower was probably on 6.00mm or even 4.00mm. Your new one needs 10.00mm as a minimum with a 45A MCB or RCBO, presuming you do not have RCD protection.
 
9500/230 = 41.3 Amps
10500/230 = 45.6 Amps

What size is your cable, that's your problem.

You have also completed electrical work in a bathroom by installing the new shower not matching the existing.

This is breaking the law and could be creating a danger to yourself and others.

If the wire is not the correct size (which I doubt it is as the circuit is protected by a B32) then you are lucky you have a B32 mcb that is tripping and not a FIRE.
 
i found it like that when i moved in Nov 2006, shower has worked well until recently

on the mcb/rcd (not sure which is it) in the fuse box downstairs, it says 'wylex b32' and '32a'
 
Sponsored Links
im not sure about the cabling, it goes from the shower into a brickwall and then outside the bathroom to the wall, where the switch is...

is it paramount the cabling needs upgrading?
 
im not sure about the cabling, it goes from the shower into a brickwall and then outside the bathroom to the wall, where the switch is...

is it paramount the cabling needs upgrading?

So you are also unsure about how the cable is run it could be between some nice flammable material.

Do yourself a favor and call in an electrician, the mcb tripping is your best friend at the moment.
 
i did get an electrician to install it, he said nothing about it, now its tripping, im calling him but phone switched off since yesterday!

I can see the wires behind the wall, its full of water pipes and bricks, no flammable materials...

If i changed the mcb downstairs to 45a, would it be okay, other then that i may take it back and get a 9.5kw, its what was installed...
 
i did get an electrician to install it, he said nothing about it, now its tripping, im calling him but phone switched off since yesterday!

I can see the wires behind the wall, its full of water pipes and bricks, no flammable materials...

If i changed the mcb downstairs to 45a, would it be okay, other then that i may take it back and get a 9.5kw, its what was installed...


Are you having a laugh? from the info you have supplied I doubt an Electrician installed a 10500w electric shower on a 32A MCB.


DO NOT PUT IN A 45A MCB - Get a qualified electrician to take a look at the circuit and complete remedial work as required.
 
The 9.5kw was incorrect on a 32a breaker too.

I very much doubt you will be able to take a used shower back to the store!

A 45a breaker on a 4/6mm cable will result in a fire.
 
If i changed the mcb downstairs to 45a, would it be okay, other then that i may take it back and get a 9.5kw, its what was installed...
No and no.

A 32A MCB is not suitable for the new shower.
It wasn't suitable for the old shower either.
Changing the MCB would require that the cable size, length and method of installation are known. Then there is the matter of whether an RCD is fitted, and whether the main protective bonding is the correct size (or even exists).

There are no DIY solutions to this mess.
 
Thanks for all your info and advice, i will get a proper electrician in to look at it.

all the best... you are the best!
 
Well Done Sir.

An electric shower is normally the highest demanding consumer in most households and it pays to ensure that this is installed correctly, can operate safely and disconnect the potential within the right time.

Hope you get it sorted and I hope we has assisted to prevent what could be a hazard.

Please post up an outcome once you get the circuit work completed.

Best Regards
 
Your existing 32 A supply circuit is only good for 7.5 kW.

An MCB has a thermal element that allows extra current for a while and an electromagnetic element that trips immediately. The more extra current you have, the quicker the MCB trips. An MCB will only trip immediately if there is a short-circuit or similar fault (using electromagnetic element). (Lighting circuit MCBs sometimes trip when a light bulb blows as the current gets very high for a split second.)

A 32 A MCB might pass 40 A indefinitely and 45 A for between 1 and 20 minutes. The plastic cable insulation gets hotter and hotter. If a mistake was made during or since the installation (like loft insulation put against the cable), portions of the insulation could melt!
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top