Size of shower cable

[Bensen]

Hey what kilowatt showers can be feed off 6mm cable and which need 10mm? I guess the distance from the fuse board also needs taking in to account?

 

[Sintra]

Hi Bensen, distance plays a big part along with other factors including overcurrent protection and installation methods. I see from your profile that you are a plumber so IMO you should leave electrical cable calcs to the sparks.

 

[trev]

Meh, it's only a few wires man. What can possibly go wrong?
Apart from a horrible, painful, fiery death.

 

[Plonker 3]

Meh, it's only a few wires man. What can possibly go wrong?
Apart from a horrible, painful, fiery death.

unless of course you fit a steel DB.

 

[trev]

unless of course you fit a steel DB.

Of course mate. How foolish of me

 

[Bensen]

Thanks would many sparks also do the plumbing on an electric shower. Its a swap or a 25year old plus electric shower that has stopped working.

 

[Bensen]

Thanks would many sparkys be able to take care of the plumbing too. Its an old 25year plus shower that needs swapping.

 

[telectrix]

considering the last plumber that i last had fit the water supply to a shower... brought it out 2 ft. below where i'd marked the studded wall, so the shower unit would have been only 2ft. above the bath and the cable 2 ft. above the shower, i do my own shower pipework now.

 

[Andy78]

Hey what kilowatt showers can be feed off 6mm cable and which need 10mm? I guess the distance from the fuse board also needs taking in to account?

Each shower install would need to be assessed and designed on an individual basis and in accordance with appendix 4 of the regs. The kW rating of the shower and cable length are just 2 of many factors involved. This is definitely a job for someone who has been properly trained in circuit design.

 

[baldsparkies]

Very broadly speaking up to 8.5kw on a 6mm
8.5kw to 10kw will need a 10mm
You need to consider some very important variables including,
The installation method ie is the cable run enclosed in some way or clipped direct.
Is the cable running within some form of insulation ect.
To explain,
The cable under load generates temperatures above ambient, and its ability to dissipate those temperatures will be greatly affected by the way its installed.
You also have to consider the length of run as this can affect the difference between the supply voltage at source and the voltage at the load/shower terminals.
This is known as volt drop and directly relates to the internal resistance of the cable per metre, in relation to its cross sectional area.
The characteristics of the protective device are also important as you need to ensure that the device disconnects the supply before the user of the shower receives an electric shock, should a fault condition develop.
The installations integrity need to be verified to ensure insulation,polarity, along with a low resistance earth return path are able to satisfy these requirements.
A certificate recording these results is produced to provide a paper trail for future reference.
Building regulations under part P also come into play when working in bathrooms as they are known as a special location, and these are divided into various zones for compliance.
If all this makes sense to you and you have the appropriate test equipment and knowledge to use it, then your good to go.
If not, consult a qualified electrician.:icon12:

 

[Leesparkykent]

Very broadly speaking up to 8.5kw on a 6mm
8.5kw to 10kw will need a 10mm
You need to consider some very important variables including,
The installation method ie is the cable run enclosed in some way or clipped direct.
Is the cable running within some form of insulation ect.
To explain,
The cable under load generates temperatures above ambient, and its ability to dissipate those temperatures will be greatly affected by the way its installed.
You also have to consider the length of run as this can affect the difference between the supply voltage at source and the voltage at the load/shower terminals.
This is known as volt drop and directly relates to the internal resistance of the cable per metre, in relation to its cross sectional area.
The characteristics of the protective device are also important as you need to ensure that the device disconnects the supply before the user of the shower receives an electric shock, should a fault condition develop.
The installations integrity need to be verified to ensure insulation,polarity, along with a low resistance earth return path are able to satisfy these requirements.
A certificate recording these results is produced to provide a paper trail for future reference.
Building regulations under part P also come into play when working in bathrooms as they are known as a special location, and these are divided into various zones for compliance.
If all this makes sense to you and you have the appropriate test equipment and knowledge to use it, then your good to go.
If not, consult a qualified electrician.:icon12:

You have just given this plumber a green light IMO lol

 

[Octopus]

Thanks would many sparkys be able to take care of the plumbing too. Its an old 25year plus shower that needs swapping.

What do the manufacturers instructions say about RCD protection?

 

[Guest77]

Hey what kilowatt showers can be feed off 6mm cable and which need 10mm? I guess the distance from the fuse board also needs taking in to account?

Yes please, I also like Mustard.

 

[Guest77]

Very broadly speaking up to 8.5kw on a 6mm
8.5kw to 10kw will need a 10mm
You need to consider some very important variables including,
The installation method ie is the cable run enclosed in some way or clipped direct.
Is the cable running within some form of insulation ect.
To explain,
The cable under load generates temperatures above ambient, and its ability to dissipate those temperatures will be greatly affected by the way its installed.
You also have to consider the length of run as this can affect the difference between the supply voltage at source and the voltage at the load/shower terminals.
This is known as volt drop and directly relates to the internal resistance of the cable per metre, in relation to its cross sectional area.
The characteristics of the protective device are also important as you need to ensure that the device disconnects the supply before the user of the shower receives an electric shock, should a fault condition develop.
The installations integrity need to be verified to ensure insulation,polarity, along with a low resistance earth return path are able to satisfy these requirements.
A certificate recording these results is produced to provide a paper trail for future reference.
Building regulations under part P also come into play when working in bathrooms as they are known as a special location, and these are divided into various zones for compliance.
If all this makes sense to you and you have the appropriate test equipment and knowledge to use it, then your good to go.
If not, consult a qualified electrician.:icon12:

Stuff and nonsence :biggrin:

 

[telectrix]

Yes please, I also like Mustard.

coming from someone who likes creamflow,:ack2:, that's not a very good advert for colmans.

 

[Guest77]

coming from someone who likes creamflow,:ack2:, that's not a very good advert for colmans.

Afternoon Terence :biggrin:

 

[Geordie Spark]

Hi Bensen, distance plays a big part along with other factors including overcurrent protection and installation methods. I see from your profile that you are a plumber so IMO you should leave electrical cable calcs to the sparks.

I'm sayin' nowt!! :uhoh2::38:

 

[telectrix]

I'm sayin' nowt!! :uhoh2::38:

well, that's a first!

 

[Geordie Spark]

coming from someone who likes creamflow,:ack2:, that's not a very good advert for colmans.

Stop picking on the poor lad Tel .... he's not very well.


Something to do with Creamflow pollution I believe.

(mornin' Mark )

 

[Geordie Spark]

well, that's a first!

Who rattled your cage??

Go back to sleep - it's not bedtime yet.