Higher current RCD required?

[philjwb]

Hi,

I am upgrading one of the electric showers in my house from 8.5kW to 10.8kW and I want to check weather a higher rated RCD should be installed.

I currently have 2x 8.5kW showers, both connected with 10mm^2 cable and 40A MCB's and a single 80A/30mA Contactum RCD (B8003/2) in my Contactum consumer unit.

I have purchased a new 50A MCB, which I will use to replace the MCB for the new 10.8kW shower, but I am now concerned that the current rating of the RCD could be exceeded if both showers are used simultaneously. Should I also upgrade the RCD (eg to a Contactum 100A/30mA B10003/2)?

Any advice gratefully received.

Phil

 

[telectrix]

i would be inclined to leave it in but monitor it for signs of overloading. though why anyone in their right mind would want 10.8kW showers is beyond me.

 

[Engineer54]

i would be inclined to leave it in but monitor it for signs of overloading. though why anyone in their right mind would want 10.8kW showers is beyond me.

One up on the Jones next door maybe!! lol!!

I'm using a 4.2KW (maybe 4.7kw) over here and that provides pretty hot enough water, even on the coldest mornings. I don't know where they get these ridiculous KW ratings from. I often wonder if these units actually draw that sort of load, ....or if it just looks good on the box!! lol!!

 

[philjwb]

Well the current shower (Triton) is struggling to produce a decent flow on cold mornings, so upgrading the power rating should produce a better flow.

 

[RISElectrical]

the flow of water will be directly proportionate to your mains pressure, if you have rubbish water pressure then even 100kw shower isnt going to help you there

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or do you mean a flow of hot water

 

[philjwb]

I think the water pressure is fine. It's an electric shower not power shower, so only cold water feed. The flow rate through the shower is ok if I turn the shower temperature down, and it is especially poor on cold days since the water has to be heated more. A higher power shower should heat the water more quickly and the output flow rate vs temperature rise is better according to the specs.