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.

 

[telectrix]

believe. ner ner

 

[telectrix]

Who rattled your cage??

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

can't. i'm having my coffin relined. it's been letting in sunlight.

 

[Geordie Spark]

believe. ner ner

It's all present and correct now.

Thank you for your assistance.


Clever chunt!!!


(lappy just back from repair & the spellchecker has gone AWOL ... probably lyong on the repair shop's floor somewhere)

 

[telectrix]

lyong? your chinese is improving. better than eng54's.

 

[D Skelton]

Very broadly speaking up to 8.5kw on a 6mm
8.5kw to 10kw will need a 10mm

You have just given this plumber a green light IMO lol

And a green light on advice that is wrong!

Why do people persist in their quest to not only help people do things they shouldn't be doing, but to give them duff advice as well?!

I wouldn't go as far as to say 'blind leading the blind' in this particular case. But at least get it right before you advise people to do what they shouldn't be doing. Better still though, just don't advise at all unless that advice is plainly and simply; "get a qualified electrician in".

 

[baldsparkies]

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

Comments removed for the sake of forum decorum and in fear of a wrapping on the knuckles by learned professionals.
I do love em though xx

 

[baldsparkies]

And a green light on advice that is wrong!

Why do people persist in their quest to not only help people do things they shouldn't be doing, but to give them duff advice as well?!

I wouldn't go as far as to say 'blind leading the blind' in this particular case. But at least get it right before you advise people to do what they shouldn't be doing. Better still though, just don't advise at all unless that advice is plainly and simply; "get a qualified electrician in".

I'm terribly sorry, you are of course quite correct.
The cable selection regarding 8.5kw to 10kw on a 10mm is vague and ball park, but other comments were in the post regarding this.
My point is its not a simple answer.
But getting a qualified electrician is not an easy thing these days.
You can think your a qualified electrician, and then thankfully be reminded that clearly your not.
And that's where I now find myself.
So my advise to the original poster with corrections in place is
Get a qualified electrician, and in future I will do likewise.
Thank you once again for your advice.

 

[Silly Sausage]

And a green light on advice that is wrong!

Why do people persist in their quest to not only help people do things they shouldn't be doing, but to give them duff advice as well?!

I wouldn't go as far as to say 'blind leading the blind' in this particular case. But at least get it right before you advise people to do what they shouldn't be doing. Better still though, just don't advise at all unless that advice is plainly and simply; "get a qualified electrician in".

This is why I very rarely dish out any advice on here (not that I could anyway!); sketchy 1st posts, don't know who's asking, can't see the site ... list goes on.

 

[baldsparkies]

Of course all the above is very true.
So difficult to judge the integrity, knowledge, experience, or competence of anybody on this forum.
And I do mean anybody.
Some are no doubt very nice, genuine people, with a wealth of experience under there belt.
Others are arrogant self obsessed masters of there universe who probably make a living sucking on the experience and hard work of the genuine electrician.
Of all the electrical consultants, technicians, engineers, and qualified electricians I have known and respect. Not one of them is or has been a member of this forum. Or feel any need to be so.
I come on here when a little bored and enjoy the banter.
I have spent a lovely evening with friends one of which is a telecoms engineer, the other a solicitor, and another has his own plumbing business.
Our wife's likewise enjoyed the evening, been talking about an up coming cruise that we are all looking forward to.
For me its time for bed, and for those who relate to my comments, and come here for similar reasons (and they know who they are)
I would say take any sarcasm, arrogance, or statements relating to the I no so much more than anyone else brigade with a pinch of salt.
There not an integral part of your life or mine in the real world.
And lets face it, the real world is full of, how shall we say, Plonkers. lol.
Have a really good night fellas, God bless xx

 

[richy3333]

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

Then it aint a like for like saw, particularly given the requirement for RCD protection per manufacturers instructions. Can a plumber spell RCD?