Shower Consumer Unit Wiring

[Shmeefly]

Hi Everyone

I have fitted my own shower and researched what Consumer unit and RCD's I needed and now I have fitted it all and wired it all up I just wanted to 100% confirm with people in the know such as you guys that I have done it right, I have included a pic so you can see what I have done and just to say the wire coming in from the bottom is from the main consumer unit going into the top of the new RCD.

Thanks

View attachment 39278

 

[Cadgey123]

Hi Everyone

I have fitted my own shower and researched what Consumer unit and RCD's I needed and now I have fitted it all and wired it all up I just wanted to 100% confirm with people in the know such as you guys that I have done it right, I have included a pic so you can see what I have done and just to say the wire coming in from the bottom is from the main consumer unit going into the top of the new RCD.

Thanks

View attachment 39278

Please put some Earth sleeving on

 

[Shmeefly]

Ok will do

 

[Shmeefly]

Please put some Earth sleeving on

Aside from that does everything look in order ?

 

[telectrix]

as post#2. otherwise looks OK. but give all terminal screws another pinch. they usually settle .

 

[LewisM]

Doesn't look too bad get some earth sleeving though this isn't the States! Also is the cable 10mm2 and how have you installed it?

 

[The Ghost]

How many kilowatts is the shower. That looks like 6mm² to me which means the fuse is over the current carrying capacity of the cable. Not good. You would have to check the earth continuity and the Insulation resistance as well as test the RCD and do an Earth Fault Loop Impedance test to confirm it is ok apart from the above.
And I am not sure the top would meet regs as there does not appear to be a gland, could be wrong but then I can't see it.

 

[123]

Doesn't look too bad get some earth sleeving though this isn't the States! Also is the cable 10mm2 and how have you installed it?

It's 6mm as the cpc is solid (it's stranded on 10mm)

 

[Andy78]

What is the installation method reference for the cable run ?
What kW rating is the shower ?
How is the distribution cable connected in the main consumer unit ?
Does the top of the enclosure comply with the required IP ratings ?
Why have you selected a C curve MCB ?
Will you be testing this alteration to make sure it is safe, if so how ?
Will you be reporting this work to building control, if so how?

 

[The Ghost]

Good observation on the C type @Andy78 I guess as it is old colour cable this was a like for like??

 

[telectrix]

How many kilowatts is the shower. That looks like 6mm² to me which means the fuse is over the current carrying capacity of the cable. Not good. You would have to check the earth continuity and the Insulation resistance as well as test the RCD and do an Earth Fault Loop Impedance test to confirm it is ok apart from the above.
And I am not sure the top would meet regs as there does not appear to be a gland, could be wrong but then I can't see it.

6mm is good for 47A if ref. method C.

 

[The Ghost]

Thinking it was probably reference method 101, and he may have a 10.5 kw shower?

 

[Octopus]

Who knows? Unless the op has test kit nobody can say for sure what's going on ........

 

[Dannyg8810]

If the op had a test kit I’m pretty sure the op shouldn’t be asking if it’s ‘ok’ and there wouldn’t be a bare earth

 

[Shmeefly]

Doesn't look too bad get some earth sleeving though this isn't the States! Also is the cable 10mm2 and how have you installed it?

Hahahaha Yes wouldn't want my work compared to theres lol

 

[Shmeefly]

Hi guys the wire coming in from the top is 10mm and was already installed from the cupboard to the shower when I moved in, and the shower is a 8.5 kw. I was told 6mm cable would be fine for the rating of the shower and the consumer unit is a shower kit from screwfix with a 63a rcd & 40A mcb. the distribution cable is coming from a 32a mcb which I was thinking of changing and yes the top does have a gland just out of sight.

 

[Shmeefly]

every step I have taken has been taken from advise from a friend which is why I am double checking with you now and nothing is connected which is why I didnt get round to putting sleeving on the earth as I have other bits to get as well as sleeving yet

 

[KEV 1 N]

Hi guys the wire coming in from the top is 10mm and was already installed from the cupboard to the shower when I moved in, and the shower is a 8.5 kw. I was told 6mm cable would be fine for the rating of the shower and the consumer unit is a shower kit from screwfix with a 63a rcd & 40A mcb. the distribution cable is coming from a 32a mcb which I was thinking of changing and yes the top does have a gland just out of sight.

I see two solid core cpcs, so they are 6mm2

 

[Taylortwocities]

Not sure if this has been mentioned above, but this is notifiable work. Did you open a case with building control before you started work?
Who is doing the testing and certification? If its you, do you have the relavent calibrated test equipment to carry out all of the necessary tests that enable you to complete an Installation Certificate?

 

[Shmeefly]

I haven't opened a case with them no and a friend who is an electrician is doing the testing and certification for me once I have finished but he is on holiday atm so cannot help me at mo so i'm doing what I can on my own which is why I am asking for help atm

 

[Shmeefly]

So some factual advise would be appreciated so I can do as much as I can correctly before he arrives back

 

[telectrix]

then as long as your electrician is going to check it before energising, i see no problem.

 

[123]

On these type of threads the "Electrician" always seems to be on holiday

 

[streamer]

I am always amazed at the number of DIY folk who have an electrician friend who is on holiday at the time that they decide to try some electrical work so they ask for advice on here. Perhaps it's just a massive coincidence. If you do have a friend who is an electrician please just wait until he/she is home.

 

[streamer]

#123 you are as cynical as me, and you type faster.

 

[Shmeefly]

Well with the money they earn its not a surprise they go on holiday so often hey !!! Now I'm looking for help not to be criticised over having a go myself

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

Three facts for you.

You don’t really know what you are doing and don’t have test gear. That is dangerous.

So some factual advise would be appreciated so I can do as much as I can correctly before he arrives back

 

[kingeri]

I bet your friend forgot to take his phone with him as well didn't he?

 

[Bobster]

I bet his friend doesn't exist....

 

[kingeri]

So some factual advise would be appreciated so I can do as much as I can correctly before he arrives back

This doesn't make sense to me. He is the electrician, and for an electrician this is a quick job. He would, I'm sure, be much happier doing the whole job himself. It may take him as long to check what you've done and rectify any errors than to do it himself. He should only be willing to put his name to his own work, or work that he has personally supervised.

 

[KEV 1 N]

On these type of threads the "Electrician" always seems to be on holiday

The old "my friends an electrician" ploy!!

 

[Andy78]

Well with the money they earn its not a surprise they go on holiday so often hey !!! Now I'm looking for help not to be criticised over having a go myself

Unfortunately the internet does not work like that. You don't have a right to demand just the comments you are expecting. This is a free and open platform.

The best advice here is to get your electrician friend to advise you as they will be signing the certificates. This should be no problem for you to wait for as you should not be energising this until it is proved safe by testing.

 

[The Ghost]

The thing is @Shmeefly, how is the cable routed to the shower? Is it in stud wall with insulation? or underfloor in insulation or just tacked to the wall all the way to the shower? It is important. The cable is not 10mm² it is 6mm². Which may well be ok for a few reasons. You say in your first post you researched what you needed then later your electrician/friend advised you

every step I have taken has been taken from advise from a friend

researched what Consumer unit and RCD's I needed

Its those kinds of inconsistencies that raise questions about the posters mhmm?

 

[PEG]

I have just pressed the probes of my MFT on the terminals in that photograph.......and it's live!

(IR's good,though...)

 

[Shmeefly]

The thing is @Shmeefly, how is the cable routed to the shower? Is it in stud wall with insulation? or underfloor in insulation or just tacked to the wall all the way to the shower? It is important. The cable is not 10mm² it is 6mm². Which may well be ok for a few reasons. You say in your first post you researched what you needed then later your electrician/friend advised you


Its those kinds of inconsistencies that raise questions about the posters mhmm?

Thankyou Vortigern you seem to be the 0nly one who is here to help,
The wire was already installed when I moved in so I'm unsure exactly how it is routed :-( It goes up one floor through the middle of the floors then drops into the bathroom out of the wall, as I said it was already here so just working with what was already installed. My friend is not by any means a close friend so I'm not expecting a massive amount of support to be honest apart from he said he would come and check it and certify it when he gets back

 

[The Ghost]

Well on the basis of the facts presented it would seem you may be safe to get in the shower. I would insist on you first though However I would just wait for it to be tested to be absolutely sure. So if I read it right, you have replaced a shower that was already there? It has been mentioned that you have a C type 40a MCB which can present problems for automatic disconnection of supply and may not switch off in time. Although at 40a you are in slightly different territory than the usual ring final circuit but never mind about that. I suggest in any event you change it for a B Type 40a MCB before anything else. It is more likely to be a safer bet.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I have just pressed the probes of my MFT on the terminals in that photograph.......and it's live!

(IR's good,though...)

Is the RCD operating within the required spec too?

 

[Shmeefly]

Well on the basis of the facts presented it would seem you may be safe to get in the shower. I would insist on you first though However I would just wait for it to be tested to be absolutely sure. So if I read it right, you have replaced a shower that was already there? It has been mentioned that you have a C type 40a MCB which can present problems for automatic disconnection of supply and may not switch off in time. Although at 40a you are in slightly different territory than the usual ring final circuit but never mind about that. I suggest in any event you change it for a B Type 40a MCB before anything else. It is more likely to be a safer bet.

No not replaced, the people who had the house before, started installing it then sold the house, and thanks again Vortigern I will replace with a B type tomorrow as well as do a continuity test

 

[Shmeefly]

Well on the basis of the facts presented it would seem you may be safe to get in the shower. I would insist on you first though However I would just wait for it to be tested to be absolutely sure. So if I read it right, you have replaced a shower that was already there? It has been mentioned that you have a C type 40a MCB which can present problems for automatic disconnection of supply and may not switch off in time. Although at 40a you are in slightly different territory than the usual ring final circuit but never mind about that. I suggest in any event you change it for a B Type 40a MCB before anything else. It is more likely to be a safer bet.

No not replaced new install, the people who had the house before, started installing it then sold the house, and thanks again Vortigern I will replace with a B type tomorrow as well as do a continuity test

 

[telectrix]

@ leesparky kent. my mistake by using the word trainee as in police officer in my previous post.i meant to refer to a normal PC on £37,000/year.

 

[Shmeefly]

@ leesparky kent. my mistake by using the word trainee as in police officer in my previous post.i meant to refer to a normal PC on £37,000/year.

Great

 

[Taylortwocities]

as well as do a continuity test

And insulation resistance test, and EFLI and RCD....etc

 

[Shmeefly]

Yes I will be testing insulation and earth too

 

[Andy78]

Yes I will be testing insulation and earth too

If you had test kit all along and the knowledge with which to use it, then why did you need to ask the forum if it all looked ok ? Why did you not just test it ?

What test kit do you have ?

 

[MJPD29]

Theres doing a bit of electrical diy and then theres instalking your own elevtric shower. Id get an electrician in to test soonee rather than later. Electric showers can be dangerous things if not done properly

 

[Taylortwocities]

. Electric showers can be dangerous things if not done properly

Especially when installing using probably the cheapest MCB/RCDs around.

 

[Shmeefly]

If you had test kit all along and the knowledge with which to use it, then why did you need to ask the forum if it all looked ok ? Why did you not just test it ?

What test kit do you have ?

I'm going to hire a Megger 1553 tom or tuesday to fully test it anything else

 

[Andy78]

I'm going to hire a Megger 1553 tom or tuesday to fully test it anything else

Not really as this is either a wind up or you're Walter Mitty. Either way, I'm out.

 

[MJPD29]

I'm going to hire a Megger 1553 tom or tuesday to fully test it anything else

Yes, a qualified electrician

 

[diditrain]

Have you checked for the presence or need for supplementary bonding in that special location?