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Electrical

9kw Shower using 6mm cable

Anonymous user 23 February 2024 - 3.11 PM

Hi, I hope someone can help me we needed to get a downstairs bathroom created in our house for my disabled son so we had some contractors come in and fit a bathroom with shower the work was completed 2 years ago and everything has been fine until about a month ago when we can now smell an electrical burning smell when the shower is used. We got an electrician in to diagnose the issue and he says the 9kw shower they fitted is on a cable which is 6mm he says this is the issue and they should of fitted a 10mm cable. My question is would other experts agree? It feels weird to me that we have only just noticed the issue after 2 years? If this was something that happened straight after the Bathroom was fitted I would feel happy to speak to contractors about the issues my worry is as it's been so long they won't resolve the issue. Any help with this would be really appreciated. Further info after some helpful answers... The fuse box is on our landing - the cable goes from the fuse box up through the roof then down through our daughters bedroom on the first floor into bathroom on ground floor so its not a short cable does this play a factor in the setup at all? I want to contact the contractors regarding this today but want to also clarify if they should of chosen a 10mm cable instead of 6mm. Thanks in advance of any thoughts on this.

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4 Answers

Anonymous user

You should definately have the cable changed to 10mm and ensure that it is protected by a 30ma RCD. Also make sure that an isolation switch is fitted for local isolation . Either a pull switch in the bathroom or an isolator outside the bathroom.
Answered1 August 2017
6
DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Rating: 5 out of 55572 reviews
Grimsby
10 mm cable should have been used. On a 6mm it's pushing it. The burning smell could be loose connections, either connected to the shower or inside the consumer unit. I wouldn't delay in getting it sorted. A quickie question... is it backed up by an RCD & an MCB or just fuses? Your edit.... yes I think the opinion is 10mm. Did you get a certificate for the job originally? As you should have.
Answered3 August 2017
5

Anonymous user

Agree with all the above. Rule of thumb is 10mm T&E However, the design is not known and thus we cannot discredit the installer. Based on 240 voltage the amperage requirement for this instantaneous shower may be as low as 37. Dependant on length and installation method used for the cable at the very best the 6mm cable may take up to 47 amps. So it could comply. The burning smell needs investigation. Suspect a loose terminal causing resistance. Hope this helps. In further reply: You would need to get an electrician in to look at the route. You could always ask the original electrician for his design calculations and justifications in using 6mm. I suspect his work is covered by his competent persons scheme. Unfortunately stating that you have been told on the internet it's not right won't cut it as we have not seen the install. Also, the cable could have since install been covered by insulation etc thus derating it. To be honest; if this was my job, I would be happier you asking me or if uncomfortable calling my scheme provider and asking them to contact me rather than assumptions from us all.
Answered3 August 2017
4
Tom Crabbe Electrical

No reviews yet

Lyme Regis
rule of thumb is for it to be 10mm but it depends on the cable length from the DB and if its covered with insulation or on the surface act, personally I would always use a 10mm to allow for more a powerful shower In the future tom
Answered2 August 2017
3