HI! guys I've been following this subject with interest I have a shower which has been working fine for years on a 6mm cable from a 32amp fuse no probs until now, it keeps tripping on the mcb so I changed the wireing to 10ml and replaced the msb (another 32amp} and put in a new 2pole switch for good measure but it still trips?? I've ordered a 40amp mcb which should solve the problem but still have one in another room just the same as this one ie 32amp 6mm cable working fine. so what do you think the problem is????p.s I've checked the earch connections no probs there.
Installing electric shower from scratch
- Thread starter JamesMaher
- Start date
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don't just blindly uprate mcbs...
what rating is the cooker
do you run anything from the socket on the cooker control plate if there is one and if so what rating is it
if the cooker is just above the design power for a 32A it may be that as the mcb has got older it has got more trip prone (ie the springs have weakened)
what rating is the cooker
do you run anything from the socket on the cooker control plate if there is one and if so what rating is it
if the cooker is just above the design power for a 32A it may be that as the mcb has got older it has got more trip prone (ie the springs have weakened)
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Richardp said:
it's this line i was refering too about blindly updating mcbs
if the shower is within rating for a 32A breaker you should not uprate it
if the shower is just over the rating for a 32A breaker you need to uprate it or you are likely to slowly weaken the replacement
OK the reason I'm putting in a 40amp breaker is to cover the new 10 mm cable which I've already put in ready to take a new 10amp shower unit which is on order but wot I would like to know is why the old system packed in (ie 6mm cable with 32amp breaker) in the first place?
this was my original question which I did'nt explain well.
this was my original question which I did'nt explain well.
OK its a 9.5kw shower but has been working well for several years which suggests that as you suggest the bracker has got tired which is why I,ve changed it for a new one, however even after changeing it it still trips so i wondered if it could be an earth leak or something else thats faulty in the cu that is affecting it.
richard, please note my comments in your other seperate topic. It would be better if you could manage to post only once, this helps keep things together.
Perhaps DIYNOT could move these posts to the other "seperate topic" so as to save us getting lost.
Perhaps DIYNOT could move these posts to the other "seperate topic" so as to save us getting lost.
is the shower on a rcd? if so that should trip long before the mcb on an earth fault
either way a shower of that size shouldn't be on a 32A breaker even a 40 is too small! 40*230=9300W
you need a 45A breaker (or a 50A if you board maker doesn't do 45A ones) and at least 10mm cable (if it's burried in a wall anywhere it should really be 16mm but very few installer actually bother) for a shower like that
manufacturing tolerances and age probablly both have an efect on exaclty what will trip a breaker
either way a shower of that size shouldn't be on a 32A breaker even a 40 is too small! 40*230=9300W
you need a 45A breaker (or a 50A if you board maker doesn't do 45A ones) and at least 10mm cable (if it's burried in a wall anywhere it should really be 16mm but very few installer actually bother) for a shower like that
manufacturing tolerances and age probablly both have an efect on exaclty what will trip a breaker
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How about you try and sensibly back up your theory with references to accepted texts, theory and regulations, and then maybe you will get taken seriously.
However, if you can't do this, then FWL is right. You should refrain from making wild and dangerous suggestions that you cannot substantiate.
Remember there are people referring to and using this forum who are very much DIY'ers and they take to heart what is said here.
We owe it to them to give them safe, accurate advice.
Do you want the fact that people are taking bad advice from you on your conscience??
I know I wouldn't.
How about you try and sensibly back up your theory with references to accepted texts, theory and regulations, and then maybe you will get taken seriously.
However, if you can't do this, then FWL is right. You should refrain from making wild and dangerous suggestions that you cannot substantiate.
Remember there are people referring to and using this forum who are very much DIY'ers and they take to heart what is said here.
We owe it to them to give them safe, accurate advice.
Do you want the fact that people are taking bad advice from you on your conscience??
I know I wouldn't.
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