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Electric Showers Explained
ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH ELECTRIC SHOWER TO BUY?
There are many makes and models of electric shower available and the choice is to say the least confusing, What Make? What Model? What size?
Hopefully the information on this site will help you choose the right electric shower for your bathroom.An electric shower is an instantaneous water heater, which basically means that it heats it own water supply and dose not rely on the hot water supply of the property. An electric shower can be fitted in 99% of property's as long as the incoming cold water pressure is OK. An electric shower also requires its own separate electrical feed adequate enough for the power rating of the shower.
What Size Kw Shower Should I Buy?
An electric showers power is rated in
kilo watts, and the size of the shower in KW s determines the size
of the cable that is required for the installation. For example an
8.5 kw electric shower has a current demand of approx 35 amps so the
size of the cable required to install this shower must have a current
carrying capacity of at least 35 Amps and a circuit protection
device, MCB or mechanical circuit breaker rated at no more than 40
amps. It is important to select the correct cable and MCB for the
power rating of the shower unit, if you are not sure, it is advisable
to contact an electrician to carry out the electrical work, as
electric showers can be lethal if not fitted properly .
Only attempt to fit an electric shower if you have a good knowledge of electrics. If you are going to buy a shower as a replacement for an old shower is advisable to buy the same size shower in kw's. A lot of people buy higher kw rated showers, and when they come to get them fitted, find out that the original cable is not adequate enough for the shower that they have bought. They either end up returning the shower or go to the extra expense of having the electrical circuit rewired. So if you want an easy life replace the shower like for like. If you haven't already got an electric shower, then the choice in kws dose not really matter as the electrician who is going to do the installation work for you will install the correct size cable for the job. An electric shower can not be wired into the ring main or the lighting circuit, it has to have its own separate circuit.
Shower Cable Sizes
8.5Kw = 6mm/40amp mcb
9.5Kw = 10mm/45amp mcb
10.5Kw =10mm/45amp mcb
