8.5 kw shower on 6mm ?

[devonsparky]

I know this has been talked about somewhere before but what are your thoughts?

I have seen the run that a re-wire would need and it isn't good!! It is not a long run and the cable comes out of the wall in the loft and staright into the 45A pull switch so not running through loads of insulation.

 

[somersetsparks]

Put it on a 32A Fuse and don't worry to much, try to keep away from insulation where possible, On I&T's I have seen hundreds and never the the slightest bit of heat damage even with a 9.5. I would never wire it like it but would be happy to leave it with a C3 on a test.

 

[Octopus]

The relevent question is how likely would the customer be to be under the shower, on full power for?

 

[i=p/u]

Yeah, protect the cable and walk. Dont forget the cheque

 

[Welchyboy]

The relevent question is how likely would the customer be to be under the shower, on full power for?

A common misconception some electricians make is that the hotter you make an electric shower, the more current it uses, this is not true, the current will be around 8.5kw constantly, it's the flow of the water pressure allowed through the heating element that changes, not the current used by the element

Just thought id say...

 

[devonsparky]

So would you leave the 6mm in and feel confident ................. or suggest to the lady that she needs carpets/chases or trunking etc

 

[somersetsparks]

If the 6mm is in good condition, leave a 30A fuse / 32A mcb to protect the cable, It won't trip in the time it takes to have a shower anyway it will trip at 1.5x the rated current in an hour i.e. 48A.
i certainly wouldn't worry about it.

 

[i=p/u]

and obviously the cable is tested for an hour and is how fuses can do this ..

 

[telectrix]

agree with above posts. if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Spazz]

I was doing a council kitchen last week, 9.5kW shower on a 6mm cable with a 40A MCB protecting it.

Refured it the council, who sent their sparky over who cleared it as safe.

Covered in insulation 6"above and below.

I could not believe that the council would let that stay and say it was safe