Hot tub supply

[Paul K]

Hi everyone,

I have a redundant 40amp fuse on its own breaker which was originally for a shower. It’s capped off in the loft, can I use this supply to power a hot tub?

Cheers in advance.

 

[DefyG]

Theoretically - Yes, but it may need de-rating if the hot tub doesn't require such a large supply.
Presumably as previously for a shower it is a RCBO or otherwise RCD protected supply?

 

[Jock from the north]

Hi everyone,

I have a redundant 40amp fuse on its own breaker which was originally for a shower. It’s capped off in the loft, can I use this supply to power a hot tub?

Cheers in advance.

I would refer to the hot tub manufacturers electrical requirments

 

[Paul K]

Theoretically - Yes, but it may need de-rating if the hot tub doesn't require such a large supply.
Presumably as previously for a shower it is a RCBO or otherwise RCD protected supply?

I’m a rank amateur when it comes to electrics, so d be getting a spark in to do the work. It would just be a lot easier and cheaper running it through the loft and down the side of the house than having it all redone.

Can the fuse be changed to a lower amp?

 

[littlespark]

It can be reduced in size, but it would have to be rcd protected

 

[westward10]

That consumer unit looks like it has been adapted that mcb should not be located there and that Main Switch (RCD) is not an RCD.

 

[Jock from the north]

I’m a rank amateur when it comes to electrics, so d be getting a spark in to do the work. It would just be a lot easier and cheaper running it through the loft and down the side of the house than having it all redone.

Can the fuse be changed to a lower amp?

Yes but would have to be an rcbo unless you are using armored cable ,but then it would need an rcd at hot tub end .much easier changing that to an rcbo but unsure if you would get a brand new rcbo in that range ,maybe someone else will know.im sure I'll be corrected im not that familiar or can't remember the layout of that type of boards but the mcb seems to be in the wrong side of mainswitch but maybe there's a manufactured piece of busbar feeding mcb .the live I believe would enter on the right hand side of mainswitch .its also only rated at 63 amps which seems odd if its your main board for house .it looks like it's been altered at some point .it also says rcd on it which it isn't. But your sparky will keep you right .do you no your earthing system type .does it say Pme on main cut out fuse

 

[Jock from the north]

That consumer unit looks like it has been adapted that mcb should not be located there and that Main Switch (RCD) is not an RCD.

You beat me to it lol

 

[PS Electrics]

That consumer unit looks like it has been adapted that mcb should not be located there and that Main Switch (RCD) is not an RCD.

I thought that but I think it is OK there is space to the left of that MCB for a 2nd MCB. It is a 2 Module CU.

The case must be able to be cut to suit the modules I am presuming. Got that from looking at an example online.

Of course the Main switch is labeled RCD which is not correct and is misleading.

This is most likely a Sub Board and if that is the case is the supply to this RCD protected perhaps?

 

[Jock from the north]

I thought that but I think it is OK there is space to the left of that MCB for a 2nd MCB. It is a 2 Module CU.

The case must be able to be cut to suit the modules I am presuming. Got that from looking at an example online.

View attachment 119849

Of course the Main switch is labeled RCD which is not correct and is misleading.

This is most likely a Sub Board and if that is the case is the supply to this RCD protected perhaps?

Yes I think your right it was hard to tell from original picture I thought it was the main consumer unit .it would make sense with the 63 amp main switch

 

[westward10]

I thought that but I think it is OK there is space to the left of that MCB for a 2nd MCB. It is a 2 Module CU.

The case must be able to be cut to suit the modules I am presuming. Got that from looking at an example online.

View attachment 119849

Of course the Main switch is labeled RCD which is not correct and is misleading.

This is most likely a Sub Board and if that is the case is the supply to this RCD protected perhaps?

You are correct I quickly thought the mcbs were to the right and one had been put to the left.

 

[Jock from the north]

You are correct I quickly thought the mcbs were to the right and one had been put to the left.

Me to

 

[Paul K]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, I’m going to get a new consumer unit installed for some old fuses anyway so I’ll just change integrate that one into the new board. What I wanted to do was avoid having a new cable run from the front of the house to the back. Hopefully I can make use of the shower cabling to solve that problem.

That RCD switch controls nothing at the minute, when I first moved into the house here was no gas so that RCD was for the storage heaters which has a separate consumer unit to the right. I capped them all off when I removed them as soon as I had my gas piped in.

Really appreciate everyone’s input.

 

[brianmoooore]

The label on your CU is incorrect. It's just a main switch on the right. There is no RCD.

 

[DefyG]

which has a separate consumer unit to the right.

Not sure we are getting the full picture here!

The photo of the 2way consumer unit is NOT an RCD but you mention one to the right of it?
I also suspect another CU as a 2way (6 & 16A mcb's) doesn't seem sufficient for storage heaters! or whole house, (ie where are your cooker, ring finals and lighting connected?)
Do NOT get confused with the incorrectly labelled Main Switch as others have said it is NOT an RCD and by look of it the shower install was non-compliant as it wasn't RCD protected!

Can you step back a bit and take a photo of the whole consumer unit(s) set up, including meter if indoors.

 

[littlespark]

Depending on the requirements of the actual hot tub, the cable size should be adaquate, but it is likely sitting in the attic as a flat grey twin and earth cable.
If you were to extend this to outside, you would need to use something appropriate for outside, as twin and earth can not be used externally.

We still need the electrical requirements of the hot tub to advise fully.

 

[PS Electrics]

Not sure we are getting the full picture here!

The photo of the 2way consumer unit is NOT an RCD but you mention one to the right of it?
I also suspect another CU as a 2way (6 & 16A mcb's) doesn't seem sufficient for storage heaters! or whole house, (ie where are your cooker, ring finals and lighting connected?)

From what the OP said, my understanding is there is a Consumer Unit with fuses that supplies this board so this is where all the house circuits will be. The concern seems to be about not running a new cable front to back of house. If the cable is of the correct size and tests out ok then that should not be a problem. The OP will need a new House Consumer Unit but seems to be aware of that.

Do NOT get confused with the incorrectly labelled Main Switch as others have said it is NOT an RCD and by look of it the shower install was non-compliant as it wasn't RCD protected!

Most likely the shower was a 16th Edition install, if it was it would have been compliant at the time. Probably going to need a new sub board though as Newlec is Newy & Eyre which badged manufacturers products. This being an Electrium (Wylex) MCB which now look obsolete unless you source the secondhand market. This is on the assumption a smaller size MCB will be required.

Can you step back a bit and take a photo of the whole consumer unit(s) set up, including meter if indoors.

This would be helpful just to be 100% on what is actually there.

 

[Paul K]

Not sure we are getting the full picture here!

The photo of the 2way consumer unit is NOT an RCD but you mention one to the right of it?
I also suspect another CU as a 2way (6 & 16A mcb's) doesn't seem sufficient for storage heaters! or whole house, (ie where are your cooker, ring finals and lighting connected?)
Do NOT get confused with the incorrectly labelled Main Switch as others have said it is NOT an RCD and by look of it the shower install was non-compliant as it wasn't RCD protected!

Can you step back a bit and take a photo of the whole consumer unit(s) set up, including meter if indoors.

Th box on the right supply’s everything. The box in the middle used to power the storage heaters which have been removed. The box on the left is the old shower mains.

A new consumer unit is being installed the middle box is going. The black box is obviously being upgraded. The cabling for the shower is the easiest way to get power to the back of the house and the hot tub.

 

[Paul K]

From what the OP said, my understanding is there is a Consumer Unit with fuses that supplies this board so this is where all the house circuits will be. The concern seems to be about not running a new cable front to back of house. If the cable is of the correct size and tests out ok then that should not be a problem. The OP will need a new House Consumer Unit but seems to be aware of that.


Most likely the shower was a 16th Edition install, if it was it would have been compliant at the time. Probably going to need a new sub board though as Newlec is Newy & Eyre which badged manufacturers products. This being an Electrium (Wylex) MCB which now look obsolete unless you source the secondhand market. This is on the assumption a smaller size MCB will be required.



This would be helpful just to be 100% on what is actually there.

Have a look at my reply to

From what the OP said, my understanding is there is a Consumer Unit with fuses that supplies this board so this is where all the house circuits will be. The concern seems to be about not running a new cable front to back of house. If the cable is of the correct size and tests out ok then that should not be a problem. The OP will need a new House Consumer Unit but seems to be aware of that.


Most likely the shower was a 16th Edition install, if it was it would have been compliant at the time. Probably going to need a new sub board though as Newlec is Newy & Eyre which badged manufacturers products. This being an Electrium (Wylex) MCB which now look obsolete unless you source the secondhand market. This is on the assumption a smaller size MCB will be required.



This would be helpful just to be 100% on what is actually there.

have a look at my reply to defyG.

 

[brianmoooore]

That's an old wood frame Wylex, I think. Can't be many of those still in service - I haven't seen one for years.
I think the one thing we can say for sure on this thread is that the fusegear needs upgrading as a matter of urgency.