Shower issue

[NackJich]

Hi first post new member.. Hello everyone.. Diy question but not intending to diy..
A local firm fitted a new bathroom and installed a shower. They replaced the wire to the fuse box and added the unit to the old box as shown in the photo. There was a smell when I went in to the cupboard, and the B32 unit is quite hot to touch, and the wire is warm. I'm planning to upgrade the box anyway and hope to avoid replacing the wire otherwise all my new tiles will have to be replaced. What did they do wrong? BTW the kitchen firm have vanished!! Thanks.

 

[telectrix]

if the cable is 6.0mm and not run through insulation, the you'd just get away with it on a 40A MCB .

 

[Pete999]

Unfortunately the company have closed down. They never left any certificates for

Brilliant.. Yes that's exactly their name.. Luckily I was planning to get that entire mains fuse box replaced anyway so I'm hoping that the wire will be adequate. It's a solid looking piece of cable as thick as my little finger and flat. The unit it attaches to is simply the wrong rating?

RCD Protection is not something you should leave till later, it should have been installed as part of the Bathroom installation, the wire as you call it looks inadequate from where I'm sitting, needs sorting as a matter of urgency, not scaremongering, just saying as I see it, along with others so it seems.

 

[NackJich]

Is there any writing on the cable signifying a size? ie 4 + 1.5 (which is what I think it is) or 6 + 2.5?
The larger number being the live conductors and the smaller being the cpc (earth wire)

Very doubtful there is any certification or scheme membership here, and as you state in OP, the company has vanished....

I'm afraid it a case involving a certain creek and zero number of paddles


If we can work out the size of the cable, then we can maybe advise changing the shower to something less powerful. Or replacing the cable, which is near impossible now if its tiled in.

The lack of RCD will be sorted when you upgrade the consumer unit, and please this needs done asap. In the meantime, using the shower as it is could damage the cable.
As above. Have it tested by another spark.

Keep us informed

Thanks for all your replies. I can't see any writing on the cable but I guess if with the new box there is no heating it may be adequate cabling? I am ringing round electricians.. I will get back to you with the outcome!

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for all your replies. I can't see any writing on the cable but I guess if with the new box there is no heating it may be adequate cabling? I am ringing round electricians.. I will get back to you with the outcome!

Remember if you pay for an inspection, and inadequacies and faults are found to be substantiated, claim back the amount the Electrician charged for the inspection, might need to go the legal route on this visa a Solicitor, more expense I'm afraid, but a sympathetic Judge should award you costs, don't let this go stick to your guns people that do this want/need to be taken to task, good luck

 

[Pete999]

if the cable is 6.0mm and not run through insulation, the you'd just get away with it on a 40A MCB .

Agree Tel but that cable don't look like any 6mm2 I have seen.

 

[Pete999]

Don't think anyone has touched on the important question of Main Bonding has / Was it checked? if the answer is no was it rectified? doubt it.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Looks like a botch job. Call them back to rectify or refund.

I totally disagree with this 'get 'em back in to sort it'.
If they can't do it right in the first place, why on Earth would you want to invite the retards back to screw the job up even more.

 

[Pete999]

I totally disagree with this 'get 'em back in to sort it'.
If they can't do it right in the first place, why on Earth would you want to invite the retards back to screw the job up even more.

Do it under supervision, by a Qualified Electrician, preferably the guy that did the inspection, they won't like it I know, but it will work I'm sure, or pay the inspecting Electrician to put it right, wish I was closer I would volunteer for free just to see the reaction from B&S Bathrooms.

 

[Cid]

I totally disagree with this 'get 'em back in to sort it'.
If they can't do it right in the first place, why on Earth would you want to invite the retards back to screw the job up even more.

Yeah that's true. But if its a company with multiple electricians on their payroll then they could send someone different.

 

[Pete999]

Yeah that's true. But if its a company with multiple electricians on their payroll then they could send someone different.

Judging from the lash up in this post, it's doubtful they have any Electricians on the payroll, like many Kitchen fitting outlets, not called Kev the Kitchen fitter, but Bob the Bathroom installer (Bodger)

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

Please do not use that shower till the board is upgraded and the installation is fully tested and inspected.

 

[NackJich]

The installer was a family run high street kitchen and bathroom firm that had been there quite a while. Obviously now they were cutting corners not just on the units. I will take all your advice and thanks chaps.. No hope of any redress as they are no more!!

 

[Pete999]

The installer was a family run high street kitchen and bathroom firm that had been there quite a while. Obviously now they were cutting corners not just on the units. I will take all your advice and thanks chaps.. No hope of any redress as they are no more!!

Just like the outfit that remodelled my Bathroom, not the electrics, I hasten to add

 

[stevethesparks]

Its very unlikely, but if the company were a NICEIC registered Company then NICEIC should get it sorted for you under their platinum promise scheme.
Have a look through all your paperwork

 

[NackJich]

That's worth checking.. Thanks Steve