hiya new to this but needing help as my electrician has let me down.......

[carolmcg]

been trawling the internet over xmas trying to see who can help and I found you. hope you can assist with my question.....my shower switch has melted the cabling and I replaced it with another 45a switch (main wall outside bathroom). The replacement has now also melted after 4 months. I have now purchased a 50a double gang socket and was wondering if I needed to change my circuit breaker - hager 32a at present. My cooker circuit breaker is 40a. The shower is 7.5kw. thanks


PS how do you post properly on this ?

 

[ukpablo]

mate, seriously u need to call a professional to check out why it is melting. a 7.5kw shower should not be melting a 45A shower switch unless there is an underlying problem. I cannot comment anymore on this, apart from leave well alone and call a spark.

 

[carolmcg]

the advice I have been given is that the single socket is too cramped and the cables have rubbed the insulation off

 

[Guest123]

the advice I have been given is that the single socket is too cramped and the cables have rubbed the insulation off

If this is some sort of wind up then please stop now.

If it is not and in this instance if your 'electrician' has let you down......please contact another one.

 

[ukpablo]

look, replacing a switch for a bigger one is not the answer. how long is the cable run, where is it run, is it rcd protected? why is it melting? why has the breaker not tripped? how big is the cable? the list is endless!

 

[accordfire]

the advice I have been given is that the single socket is too cramped and the cables have rubbed the insulation off

How? Cables shouldn't move inside any back box.......if they are, something is wrong.

Secondly, a double gang back box won't accommodate a single gang switch.

There is an issue with the current running through the cable/switch if it is melting. Quite possibly you have some kind of short circuit somewhere, which isn't being identified by any protective devices you might have installed.

Are the cables themselves burned/blackened/brittled in any way?

When you say switch melted - perhaps a pic?

As others have said, it seems time to call a proper electrician in, for your own safety if nothing else - dangerous electrics round something like a shower, is a serious matter, and not one I'd be prepared to risk in my home.

 

[carolmcg]

should say it was a diy hut which said socket was cramped not a properly qualified electrician. that is why i am seeking advice. hope this is ok.

 

[ukpablo]

of course it is ok to seek advice, u def in the right place.................and the advice is seek a professional. leave alone until looked at.

hope this helps

 

[carolmcg]

now purchased double switch, double dry lining box.

the original switch itself was single and had play to it, it was moved to decorate - despite saying paint round it!

the cables are brittle - melted through. Earth wires are perfectly in tact.

 

[carolmcg]

i dont want to call a new electrician unless I know what we are both talking about. would never compromise on safety.

 

[Guest123]

i dont want to call a new electrician unless I know what I and he is talking about.

As a qualified electrician I'm sure he would.

My own opinion is that when you last changed the switch, the connections were not fully tightened leading to a high resistance connection causing a build up of heat.

As this is the second time it has happened I reccomend the circuit being fully inspected and tested by a qualified electrician.

 

[accordfire]

now purchase double switch, double dry lining box.

the original switch itself was single and had play to it, it was moved to decorate - despite saying paint round it!

the cables are brittle - melted through. Earth wires are perfectly in tact.

If the cables are brittle the problem is more than just the switch.

There is possibly a load problem somewhere on the cable, and it NEEDS to be investigated from breaker to switch before it is used again. The shower needs to be looked at too.

In principle, a 32A breaker, via a 45A pull switch, should be fine with a 7.5kW shower - and if you've melted two switches already there's either a fault on the cable or in the shower unit.

Seriously, call an electrician - and by all means, whatever he says, post on here - we'll soon tell you if he's talking rubbish or not, being reasonable on cost or not.

Of course, there are electricians on here all over the UK - one is very probably close to you, and using such would give you the advantage of come back through the forum if you're not happy. Just a thought.

 

[carolmcg]

thanks for this - will try to see if anyone in my area is open. holidays today.

it is an off, on switch rather than a pull cord and the casing began to heat up after using it. the circuit blew yesterday and when i unscrewed the switch there is a blackened mess.

 

[accordfire]

thanks for this - will try to see if anyone in my area is open. holidays today.

it is an off, on switch rather than a pull cord and the casing began to heat up after using it. the circuit blew yesterday and when i unscrewed the switch there is a blackened mess.

Understand - same applies really though whichever type of switch.

What area are you in - as I say, sure there are guys on today who might be able to help - someone is bound to be local.

 

[poirot]

Hi, im sure there will be an electrician willing to work today, you could try the competant person website which lists all part p regisitered electricians. You can do a search using your postcode to find someone local.

 

[carolmcg]

i am in the g83 area

 

[accordfire]

i am in the g83 area

That's up Arrochar way is it not? I used to get up that way a lot as a kid!

Pop a post in the forum asking if any of the Scots lads are available. I know there are a few on here.

Make the title something like "Electrician Needed G83 area" - you should get a reply.

 

[carolmcg]

more towards dumbarton area.

 

[accordfire]

more towards dumbarton area.

Ah - bottom of the Loch rather than top then.....

Nice area, from memory.

I hope you find a sparks local to you anyway....

 

[carolmcg]

one coming at 3 - will let u know. yas Bill right at the loch can see Ben Lomond from here.

 

[accordfire]

one coming at 3 - will let u know. yas Bill right at the loch can see Ben Lomond from here.

Sounds nice - even this time of the year - I'd rather be up there in the peace and quiet than down here on the South coast of England just now, I can tell you! Snow, or no.

Let us know what your sparks says - was he one from the forum or not, out of curiosity? Either way - let us know what he says, and we'll keep you right

 

[carolmcg]

all sorted now - thanks for your help and advice - keep up the good work!!

 

[DurhamSparky]

did he fix it for you???

 

[IQ Electrical]

We need closure!

 

[Kamikaze]

Yeah, come on! We need to know. You can’t keep us in suspenders like that.

 

[telectrix]

probably busy in the shower

 

[millwall ken]

been trawling the internet over xmas trying to see who can help and I found you. hope you can assist with my question.....my shower switch has melted the cabling and I replaced it with another 45a switch (main wall outside bathroom). The replacement has now also melted after 4 months. I have now purchased a 50a double gang socket and was wondering if I needed to change my circuit breaker - hager 32a at present. My cooker circuit breaker is 40a. The shower is 7.5kw. thanks


PS how do you post properly on this ?

Are you for real mate? Do you have a wife? Kids? LEAVE well alone and consult an electrician before you cause a damn fire.

 

[mogga]

Ken I would assume your MALE therefore Id assume Carol would be female but it is amazing the lengths some people go to to avoid paying an electrician coming out aand doing things correctly so in answer to your first question Id probably say YES for real but asking advice and seeking help (all be it at a late stake in the process ) and she has put a request in the "Looking for forum" BTW Guys carol has posted she got it all sorted

 

[carolmcg]

i was seeking advice so I would not be ripped off or appear really stupid before I found an electrician. Yes he fixed it and as I had the right parts he did not over charge. would use this forum again - yes I am female but can tackle basic diy - change plugs, rewire lights etc but not deal with hard core wiring!

 

[IQ Electrical]

What was the verdict then Carol, what did the electrician actually have to do?

 

[carolmcg]

he stripped back the cabling, tested the circuit, fitted a double gang switch. He saw that the neutral and earth were rubbing and now that there is a bigger switch - much easier to avoid this in the future.

 

[telectrix]

for what it is worth, i always tell my clients, with regard to shower switches, that the switch is an isolator and best left i n the on position. turn the shower on and off with the shower controls. each time the switch is operated with a load on, it will arc, causing premature failure.

 

[IQ Electrical]

he stripped back the cabling, tested the circuit, fitted a double gang switch. He saw that the neutral and earth were rubbing and now that there is a bigger switch - much easier to avoid this in the future.

I think the break has affected my IQ (no pun intended)!

What is a double gang shower switch and how would the neutral and earth 'rubbing' cause any melting?

 

[millwall ken]

Ken I would assume your MALE therefore Id assume Carol would be female but it is amazing the lengths some people go to to avoid paying an electrician coming out aand doing things correctly so in answer to your first question Id probably say YES for real but asking advice and seeking help (all be it at a late stake in the process ) and she has put a request in the "Looking for forum" BTW Guys carol has posted she got it all sorted

I didn't bother to read the name mate, I was in a state of shock at the post.

 

[millwall ken]

i was seeking advice so I would not be ripped off or appear really stupid before I found an electrician. Yes he fixed it and as I had the right parts he did not over charge. would use this forum again - yes I am female but can tackle basic diy - change plugs, rewire lights etc but not deal with hard core wiring!

If you don't want to be ripped off then you consult two, three or four electricians WHO can actually see the problem there and then in front of them. Most sparkies wouldn't charge you a call out fee just to see what the problem is!!! In fact, doing it this way, you will get a few different quotes for the work. Rewiring is not a job for a DIYer. NOR is mucking about with a shower circuit. Sorry if I seemed harse but believe me it wouldn't take much for you to get a serious electrical shock or cause a fire.

 

[Guest123]

I think the break has affected my IQ (no pun intended)!

What is a double gang shower switch and how would the neutral and earth 'rubbing' cause any melting?

I'm guessing by a 'double gang' switch it's one of these......

As for the rubbing??????

 

[SimpleSimon]

If that what was said I'm guessing she'll be back in another four months :/

 

[SimpleSimon]

Or is it meant that the insulation of the neutral was being pinched in connection??though that shouldn't cause a blackened mess described earlier to that extent.

 

[Kamikaze]

I think the break has affected my IQ (no pun intended)!

What is a double gang shower switch and how would the neutral and earth 'rubbing' cause any melting?

Einstein's favorite limerick was:
There was a young lady called Carol
who could travel much faster than light.
She departed one day
in a relative way
and returned on the previous night.

I got a feeling she will be back...lol

 

[Des 56]

If she had a bit of overheating of the insulation caused by a loose/bad connection,the spark has bared it back and put a new/bigger switch on and tested,why would anyone think there will be future problems ?

He seems to have done what most would have done
If he did not, what else was he supposed to have done in addition to the above ?

If he was engaged after she posted and attended quickly,why on the one hand do we hear how underated and underpaid we are, and on the hand start talking down call out fees etc

She seems to have had good service, at short notice, at a difficult time of year
How many of you question inflated taxi fares etc at this time of year and dont bat an eyelid

 

[IQ Electrical]

I'm certainly not slagging the service she received, just interested in the exact nature of the fault!

 

[Des 56]

Sorry IQ
It was not with you in mind,just an opinion against the general feel of the thread

 

[Kamikaze]

If she had a bit of overheating of the insulation caused by a loose/bad connection,the spark has bared it back and put a new/bigger switch on and tested,why would anyone think there will be future problems ?

He seems to have done what most would have done
If he did not, what else was he supposed to have done in addition to the above ?

If he was engaged after she posted and attended quickly,why on the one hand do we hear how underated and underpaid we are, and on the hand start talking down call out fees etc

She seems to have had good service, at short notice, at a difficult time of year
How many of you question inflated taxi fares etc at this time of year and dont bat an eyelid

Des,
We are not disputing that the electrician has sorted the problem. However, the explanation of what the cause was is in question.

 

[DaveyD]

for what it is worth, i always tell my clients, with regard to shower switches, that the switch is an isolator and best left i n the on position. turn the shower on and off with the shower controls. each time the switch is operated with a load on, it will arc, causing premature failure.

My thoughts were the same as yours TT regarding arcs. I replied to her other thread earlier today with the same. My children took to using the isolator as an on/off switch rather than get their arms wet turning on a cold shower while it warmed up - four children with two having two showers a day! Soooooo, if I was called out I would have asked that question and then after test and repair explained that this isolater is NOT an simple on/off switch.

 

[Des 56]

Fair comment on the fault issue being the subject

Anyway, I am going to have a stab at being Liet Columbo

Well, seing as its a fixed load and there didn't appear to be mention of the overcurrent doing its bit,the cable is rated for the shower,its not too long a distance, not covered in itchy stuff and not burnt or overheated along its length.it would be reasonable to suspect that a poor terminal connection was made, and when the replacement was put into use,they re used the poor conductors for connection again, consequence, switch burns out once more
New switch fitted,conductors stripped back for cool copper,terminals tight and long may it live

I suspect the question could be,did she just fit a new switch (previously) to the burnt copper cores

 

[IQ Electrical]

Sounds about right!

 

[DaveyD]

Anyway, I am going to have a stab at being Liet Columbo

Brilliant! You should have started with 'There are a couple of loose ends I'd like to tie up. Nothing important you understand.'

 

[millwall ken]

brilliant! you should have started with 'there are a couple of loose ends i'd like to tie up. Nothing important you understand.'

lol.........

 

[Kamikaze]

Fair comment on the fault issue being the subject

Anyway, I am going to have a stab at being Liet Columbo

Well, seing as its a fixed load and there didn't appear to be mention of the overcurrent doing its bit,the cable is rated for the shower,its not too long a distance, not covered in itchy stuff and not burnt or overheated along its length.it would be reasonable to suspect that a poor terminal connection was made, and when the replacement was put into use,they re used the poor conductors for connection again, consequence, switch burns out once more
New switch fitted,conductors stripped back for cool copper,terminals tight and long may it live

I suspect the question could be,did she just fit a new switch (previously) to the burnt copper cores

Well done Sherlock Ohms,
Impressive...most impressive! I have underestimated the power of your force. I have seen the future, and I'm going to make it into bed now....lol

 

[SirKit Breaker]

for what it is worth, i always tell my clients, with regard to shower switches, that the switch is an isolator and best left i n the on position. turn the shower on and off with the shower controls. each time the switch is operated with a load on, it will arc, causing premature failure.

Like wise. I also whenever possible fit a 100a DP isolator on occasions where they dont or wont have an unsightly pullcord or red switch on show. When the isolator is fitted in airing cupboards etc.