shower power

[carlramsay]

Hi there , was wondering if anyone could shed some light..
Had a 11.5kw shower and started getting a fishy smell from the switch.. On investigating noticed some burning on the neutrals on the cables. One of the neutrals and one of the lives were not tight in the connectors guess this could have caused the issue. But on inspection noticed that the switch was a DP 20amp... Is this man enough for a 11.5 kw shower, was this the cause?
Iam happy with the cable size 15mm and the 50ampMCB . But not sure if the problem was the loose cable or under rated switch. Will get the guy back to fix but interested in the knowledge. cheers

 

[carlramsay]

would a 40/45/50 amp DP switch be better?

 

[TicklyT]

11.5KW at 230 Volts = 50 Amps, so a 20 Amp switch DEFINITELY isn't up to the job!

It isn't unusual for manufacturers to quote the power rating at 240 Volts to make their showers appear more powerful, but even then it would draw over 45 Amps.

 

[carlramsay]

thought as much thanks for quick response

 

[EFLImpudence]

Iam happy with the cable size 15mm

There is 16mm² conductor (not 15) but doubt you have that.

Check here

 

[bhm1712]

11.5KW at 230 Volts = 50 Amps, so a 20 Amp switch DEFINITELY isn't up to the job!

It isn't unusual for manufacturers to quote the power rating at 240 Volts to make their showers appear more powerful, but even then it would draw over 45 Amps.

Having said that, iver never had a mains reading of lower than 240 volts....as the harmonisation was merely a paper exercise and so no physical changes necessary.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

16mm² wouldn't fit in the terminals of a 20A switch.

You might get 10mm² if it's made to take 2 x 6mm².

I wonder if what the OP has is a 6mm², and he (slightly mis-)measured the width?

 

[carlramsay]

messed this post right up. Yes your right its 10 m m cable and in fact a 10.
5 kW shower. Sorry.
Is a 20 amp dp switch ok for .10.5 kW or bigger one required.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You still need a 50A switch.