B
Bensen
Hey what kilowatt showers can be feed off 6mm cable and which need 10mm? I guess the distance from the fuse board also needs taking in to account?
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Discuss Size of shower cable in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
Been reading this thread with interest. Whilst I do not agree that there is an 'inner circle' on here I do feel that there some pretty much 'hardcore' views that have been agreed on by a large group. A large number (but not all) of this large group are on other sites where they seem freer to 'co-ordinate' viewpoints about certain things.
Very true, and the 8.5 kw shower which is working at my parents house wired in a 6mm2 cable which is at least 12 years old now must be switched off immediately as well.I'd best not use my shower until I've got my metal CU fitted then.
Very true, and the 8.5 kw shower which is working at my parents house wired in a 6mm2 cable which is at least 12 years old now must be switched off immediately as well.
Been reading this thread with interest. Whilst I do not agree that there is an 'inner circle' on here I do feel that there some pretty much 'hardcore' views that have been agreed on by a large group. A large number (but not all) of this large group are on other sites where they seem freer to 'co-ordinate' viewpoints about certain things.
Here's the 3 points I think that have been agreed.
1. If a person is asking a question and is not a 'qualified electrician' only the answer get a qualified electrician in is appropriate.
2. To be a 'qualified electrician' only a time served apprenticeship is appropriate. Electrical Trainee do not count.
3. Due to the fact that the government through Competent Person Scheme seems to be recognising Electrical Trainee reform of the industry is required. A proper register limiting electrical work to those in (2.) is required.
All these 3 statement are applied under the guise of public safety. And I do not dispute that application of these statements would improve safety. (How much is subjective).
It is my feeling though that the main thrust is to 'preserve the bottom line'.
1. Try and prevent diy if it could mean a sparkie getting the work.
2/3. Try and keep this work to 'proper sparkies' that have completed the same training as us, cause that'll push prices back up.
Let me qualify by saying that I know there will be many that fall on the safety as opposed to profit side of my above statement, so please don't just try to shout me down as it is pretty obvious no one is going to admit being on the other 'purely profit motivated' side of the fence.
Very true, and the 8.5 kw shower which is working at my parents house wired in a 6mm2 cable which is at least 12 years old now must be switched off immediately as well.
your a fool if you believe that, your cable calcs will prove otherwise, an 8.5kw shower is a 37amp load so 40a mcb will do which means 6mm is fine not allowing for any derating factorsUsing 6mm to supply an 8.5kw shower is WRONG.
Unless your a qualified electrician you should NOT be doing the job because of the many variables, and safety is paramount.
But real world scenario is often very different, and in your working life you will often come across situations that conflict with calculations, and regs.
When that happens you need to ask, how so !!
As an example there are situations where an 8.5 kw shower will be fed from a 6mm cable on a 32 amp mcb over many years and show no signs of thermal damage, or have given any problems to the user.
Calculations and regs will say otherwise, real life is often very different.
Of course your maxing these situations out, which is far from a good idea.
next time your running an 8.5kw shower.
Check your 230v supply and see what your really getting. Clamp test the shower and see what its really pulling.
Then maybe you will see why sometimes 6mm will appear to suffice despite all the theory.
ITS still WRONG and I don't dispute that but it is possible.
My comments are for qualified electricians, not for Joe public.
So Joe public take note. The fall out I am receiving is to protect YOU not me.
your a fool if you believe that, your cable calcs will prove otherwise, an 8.5kw shower is a 37amp load so 40a mcb will do which means 6mm is fine not allowing for any derating factors
in this case what the op was asking is ohm's law, the basic's of the basics.
V=R/I
I=R/V
R=IxV
bassically to start with a 10kw shower would be 10,000 / 230 = 43Amps
so now you have your design current for your cable calc.
the cable you need for a 10kw shower depends on installation methods (clipped direct)
if it has loads of insulation along the route and other factors you might need a 16+mm cable (this is why we calculate cables in the first place)
and to answer your question, the members here get that bored and wound up from giving people the same advice everyday on how to wire a shed they get ratty
Using 6mm to supply an 8.5kw shower is WRONG.
Unless your a qualified electrician you should NOT be doing the job because of the many variables, and safety is paramount.
But real world scenario is often very different, and in your working life you will often come across situations that conflict with calculations, and regs.
When that happens you need to ask, how so !!
As an example there are situations where an 8.5 kw shower will be fed from a 6mm cable on a 32 amp mcb over many years and show no signs of thermal damage, or have given any problems to the user.
Calculations and regs will say otherwise, real life is often very different.
Of course your maxing these situations out, which is far from a good idea.
next time your running an 8.5kw shower.
Check your 230v supply and see what your really getting. Clamp test the shower and see what its really pulling.
Then maybe you will see why sometimes 6mm will appear to suffice despite all the theory.
ITS still WRONG and I don't dispute that but it is possible.
My comments are for qualified electricians, not for Joe public.
So Joe public take note. The fall out I am receiving is to protect YOU not me.
We are putting in new shower supplies in at Clapham.
5.8kW = 37A
40A OCPD required
single cable in surface trunking has a max of 41A for 6mm cable.
6mm cable it is then...
Here we go again.
Why conclude that someone is a fool without thinking your statement through.
How can you possibly say that 6mm is fine, and then follow up by saying (by not allowing any de rating factor)
That's the entire point of being a qualified electrician.
You WILL include de rating factors into your calculations, joe public will not.
What I am saying is that its wrong to make a blanket decision regarding 6mm.
Hence my comment (Broadly speaking, up to 8.5kw 6mm beyond that 10mm) but and its a big but other variables have and should always be taken into account.
If your unsure what those variables are or how to apply them then consult a qualified electrician.
I sometimes feel that often comments are miss-read, miss-understood, or even miss-phrased by the poster.
But I find it a bit sad and disappointing when there are people that you respect, waiting to pounce on your every word with the sole intention of calling you a fool, blind, or even incompetent.
Nothing I have said is either wrong, or inaccurate.
Sometimes you just need to think outside the box, and give the other guy a bit of breathing space.
As qualified electricians we should all be able to do this without throwing around insults based on our individual points of view or opinions.
As said real world it simply doesn't work that way.
That's why on the forum you will call a 6' 6" bloke all muscle and weighing 18 stone a dick head.
And in the real world, keep it to yourself and call him a dick head under your breath lol xx
So you are back and immediately you are being a dxck.
Please don't hand out detailed advice on the public forum
Thanks
i think you have a typo mate.Please do not call me that.
It was NOT advice for the Op but a direct REPLY to the quote saying that a 6mm cable could not be used. The reply was quoted so I though that would be obvious. On top of that I wrote WE. As in WE are doing this. WE are qualified electricians. and WE are doing the work.
i think you have a typo mate.
you put 5.8kw i think you mean 8.5
Reply to Size of shower cable in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net