Shower question...
 

Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the shower.
Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

Shower question...
 

"Jake" wrote in message
...
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the shower.
Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

If it's an ancient shower thats being replaced, then the cable will most
probably be incorrect for the more modern
electric shower, (more powerfull) so that will need replacing to along with
isolation switch it it doesn't meet the latest regs.
The cable should be ok if it's in proper trunking I think, but if it's
rewired can you not put the cable across the roof space
and drop down into the top of the shower?

Shower question...
 

"polly filler" wrote in message
o.uk...

"Jake" wrote in message
...
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the
shower. Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

If it's an ancient shower thats being replaced, then the cable will most
probably be incorrect for the more modern
electric shower, (more powerfull) so that will need replacing to along
with isolation switch it it doesn't meet the latest regs.
The cable should be ok if it's in proper trunking I think, but if it's
rewired can you not put the cable across the roof space
and drop down into the top of the shower?

It's not in trunking, it drops down from the roof space to the top of the
shower and is held in place against the tiles with cable clips. Looks like
the type of cable I've seen used to connect electric cookers - what's that -
30A rating?

Shower question...
 

On May 13, 11:12*pm, "Jake" wrote:
"polly filler" wrote in message

o.uk...







"Jake" wrote in message
m...
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the
shower. Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

If it's an ancient shower thats being replaced, then the cable will most
probably be incorrect for the more modern
electric shower, (more powerfull) so that will need replacing to along
with isolation switch it it doesn't meet the latest regs.
The cable should be ok if it's in proper trunking I think, but if it's
rewired can you not put the cable across the roof space
and drop down into the top of the shower?

It's not in trunking, it drops down from the roof space to the top of the
shower and is held in place against the tiles with cable clips. Looks like
the type of cable I've seen used to connect electric cookers - what's that -
30A rating?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

30 amps is good for 7Kw in most circumstances. Some showers these days
are bigger than this. It's likely a new isolator/RCCD would be
required.

The danger with the cable in a shower is that condensation could run
down the cable into electrical components in the shower. Really needs
loooking at to determine if this is a possibilty.

Shower question...
 

On May 13, 4:35*pm, "Jake" wrote:
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the shower..
Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

Unprotected surface wiring, not OK - and hasn't been for a long time
AFAIK.

Also sounds like it's flexible cable, rather than solid core.

If it's surface, should be in trunking.

Given it's potentially the most hazardous electrical installation in
the home, I'd prefer to see a single piece of cable, no joins, running
from the CU (with RCD/RCBO), to right inside the shower unit, with no
possibility of fingers or moisture getting near the cable or its
connections.

Shower question...
 

On May 14, 7:35*am, " wrote:
On May 13, 4:35*pm, "Jake" wrote:

Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the shower.
Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

Unprotected surface wiring, not OK - and hasn't been for a long time
AFAIK.

Also sounds like it's flexible cable, rather than solid core.

If it's surface, should be in trunking.

Given it's potentially the most hazardous electrical installation in
the home, I'd prefer to see a single piece of cable, no joins, running
from the CU (with RCD/RCBO), to right inside the shower unit, with no
possibility of fingers or moisture getting near the cable or its
connections.

I think so too. Can a line of tiles be removed?


NT

Shower question...
 

On May 14, 7:35*am, " wrote:
On May 13, 4:35*pm, "Jake" wrote:

Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the shower.
Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

Unprotected surface wiring, not OK - and hasn't been for a long time
AFAIK.

Also sounds like it's flexible cable, rather than solid core.

If it's surface, should be in trunking.

Given it's potentially the most hazardous electrical installation in
the home, I'd prefer to see a single piece of cable, no joins, running
from the CU (with RCD/RCBO), to right inside the shower unit, with no
possibility of fingers or moisture getting near the cable or its
connections.

1. I read the OP as saying cooker cable and from the normal
expectation this would be 6mm or greater twin and earth with an
oversheath of PVC. This may not be as "pretty" exposed to view as a
bit of trunking.
2. Which regulation do you allege prohibits the use of such sheathed
cable in the circumstances or did you make that up? Flat thermoplastic
insulated and sheathed cable (undamaged) is suitable for use both
outdoor and indoors in dry or damp locations.
3. For an unbroken length of cable from the CU where are you thinking
of providing the local double pole isolator?

The like for like swap of an old shower for one of similar rating is a
simple minor works job, however it would be eminently sensible to
provide an RCD at the consumer unit or next to it if the CU is not
suitable for modification. Don't forget also that satisfactory result
of an Earth Fault Loop Impedance test is one of the essential checks
for even minor works,
Note that many shower manufacturers now specify the provision of an
RCD in their installation instructions.

Shower question...
 

In article ,
"Jake" writes:
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The power
cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of the shower.
Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

It still is.

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position, or
should it be buried in the wall?

Doesn't have to be buried in the wall.
Actually, it has a higher current rating if it isn't.
As others have said, you need to check the circuit and the supply
is up to running a new shower, which should also be RCD protected.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Shower question...
 

Jake wrote:
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The
power cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of
the shower. Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position,
or should it be buried in the wall?

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...lectric_shower

and

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...g_A_Cable_Size

should help you decide what power the cable can deliver.

The new shower will almost certianly need 30mA RCD protection.

--
Adam

Shower question...
 

Jake wrote:
Some friends of mine live in a property with an ancient shower. The
power cable runs from the ceiling along the tiled wall to the top of
the shower. Presumably this was permitted in previous installations?

The shower is now out of order, and it is likely a new shower will be
required. Is it still permitted to leave the cable in this position,
or should it be buried in the wall?

Part P allows a like for like replacement. If as other posters suggest,
adding a RCD may well contravene rules and involve Bulding Control which
will put you the wrong side of the law. If you have another £160 for the
required paperwork .......... alternatively just change the shower for a
similar of the same rating.