dead shower

[chesters1]

i would get a friend with an apprentice or meter and errr fault find and replace the offending bit you errr let him fix it

 

dont come running to me though if you die in agony in an horrific shower death scenario

Edited June 30, 2007 by chesters1

[ayjay]

Hi Ajay

is there some obvious mark so i can see if its 30amp.

 

Should be moulded into the plastic somewhere. It'll be on the back, so you'll have to take the front cover off and look inside.

[Gray-Catchpole]

Should be moulded into the plastic somewhere. It'll be on the back, so you'll have to take the front cover off and look inside.

 

just spoke to my uncle and nextdoor neighbour, and they both seem to think that the trip switch has gone (Wylex b40) they say even when these go you will get a feedback to the switch(airing cuppboard) hence the half lite bulb, so, my initial thought was to try one of the other fuses, but that cant be done as the shower is a newer version so connection is smaller, so, im off to get a new trip, i will let you know the outcome cheers all.

[Chris Goddard]

Knackered switch 99% sure without even seeing it!! Most likely due to arcing on the terminal as the screw was not tightened enough. Is there a smell of "FISH" at all?? Around the switch?? That would be an absolute clincher without even removing the switch. Seen LOADS of these go over the years Grey!!

[Gray-Catchpole]

Is there a smell of "FISH" at all?? Around the switch?? That would be an absolute clincher without even removing the switch. Seen LOADS of these go over the years Grey!!

 

now you mention it, yes there has been a smell of fish, we couldnt work out what it was, so its the actual switch thats gone and not the r40 switch on the mains board, is that correct

[ayjay]

now you mention it, yes there has been a smell of fish, we couldnt work out what it was, so its the actual switch thats gone and not the r40 switch on the mains board, is that correct

 

Yes. I thought that's what I said yesterday.

[Gray-Catchpole]

Yes. I thought that's what I said yesterday.

 

great stuff folks, thanks for all your help, i will get a new switch in the morning and let you know the results.

[poledark]

Gray, is the smell coming from the shower unit or the switch? If from the shower you will probably find a bad/burnt connection in there.

 

Make sure you switch off first though.

 

Den

[Tog]

Hmmmm? Well - assuming it is a normal 'electric' shower and not just a pumped mixer shower:

 

Wylex B40 is a MCB type trip, R40 would be a rewireable fuse - & not a std size??

If the B40 on the consumer unit has tripped it should have its reset blade down?

You can have these showing ON when they are OFF - the blade stays up, you need to flick it off and on again to reset it.

 

Neither of these is correct for a shower installation that should have its own RCB / RCCD 'earth leakage' trip and be of the correct size to suit the KW rating of your shower.

You also mention a 'switch' in your airing cupboard? (with a neon indicator?), this is most likely to be a 20A type fuse spur, again not correct for a shower.(correct for an immersion heater)

 

I would agree with AJ that your airing cupboard switch unit is dead. Because its the wrong thing to use!

 

Looking at the information you've given us:- I'd recommend you get a competent person to have a gander - I think your 'local' (airing cupboard) switch is seriously underrated, most likely your cable is therefore also undersize and you should have a 2 pole isolating 45A RCD/RCCD on the circuit in your consumer unit.

 

Disclaimer: Never muck about with leccy unless you are sure you have isolated the device and have the fuse in your pocket! (also make sure your 'mate' does not have a spare fuse in his pocket!!!)

Disclaimer II:

Under the new 'part P' regs any mucking about with leccy in bathrooms (and kitchens and outside) is notifiable unless you are replacing like with like - and you would need to inform your planning dept if you want to replace the wiring or upgrade the power rating to the shower - or get a sparks in who has 'part p' to do / inspect the work.

 

I had a similar occurrence some 5 years back - my leccy shower tripped the MCB on consumer unit, when I tried to reset it there was a big flash from MCB and it went back off - upon inspecting the shower I found the incoming cable's earth was not correctly sheathed and had come loose and touched the LIVE terminal inside the shower blowing it off the moulding.

Don't like to think what may have happened had the trip not gone and someone touched the output pipe!

I replaced the electric shower, fitted 10mm sq cable, 45A MK 'quality' pull switch and fitted a 2 pole 45A RCD/MCCB rated to suit the new shower.

I have since checked various parts of the leccy installation in my house which was allegedly rewired by the electric co in the 90's, most of it was sub standard - some of it downright dodgy! - if in doubt get a competent person to check it out......

No - I'm not a 'sparky' by trade (somewhat overqualified!), but do a heck of a lot of electrical engineering.

[topguy123]

Hi Ajay

yes it was pro fitted, about 2 years ago, and has worked fine till now, is there some obvious mark so i can see if its 30amp.

 

chesters, yea i know great arnt thay, and as of today, i have no cover

 

 

check to see if ure fuse is o.k if not then go next door and ask to borrow their shower and if that fails go to the swimming pool and use their shower and if THAT fails u r screwed and will be a smelly geezer 4 ure life lol