UK Old 8.5K shower wired to 30 amp fuse with no RCD. Is it still safe & ok to use?

[littlespark]

Agree with above. It was deemed safe at the time of installation, and only needs upgrading if and when work is done to that circuit.

Maybe save your pennies and get a full board change so all circuits are protected by rcd/RCBO

 

[Vortigern]

As to safe to use, well I have never accepted the idea of water and electricity being used together. Never mind voluntarily standing underneath it, never really sits right with me. Personally I would want an RCD on my shower for safety reasons. If you are upgrading the shower you may find that there is 9.5kw which will mean a new circuit. You can get 7.5Kw still. In fact I am mildly surprised such an old shower is not 7.5Kw as that seemed to be all there was back then.

 

[Intoelectrics]

The 6mm cable wired to the shower unit looks fine, no melting, the copper conductors have no discolouration so I presume it still safe to use without RCD protective device?

RCD protection or RCBO is just an good option and not compulsory?

I’m thinking of replacing the original shower with a newer up to date unit in the near future so probably makes sense to get the RCD or RCBO installed at the same time

Ok, look at it this way. The purpose of the RCD/RCBO is to add additional protection in the event of a fault occurring. The basic idea being that if a fault occurred during use that could potentially kill you this additional device will operate so that you are least likely to receive an electric shock that would result in your death.

Not scare mongering, but my question is; would it be value for money in your own mind to have an additional safety device installed that would give you the piece of mind that you have done your best to prevent a potentially fatal accident in the unlikely, but real possibility of a fault occurring?

It is now, and has been for a long while, mandatory in the regulations that these type of devices are fitted for this type of installation. This is for a very good reason, as you can now appreciate.

 

[brianmoooore]

I wouldn't be at all happy with having an electric shower in my house that wasn't supplied via a 30mA RCD.

First electric shower I installed (before RCDs existed in this country) was rated at 6kW and had a bare, coiled element wire in direct contact with the water passing through it.
The people using it all survived, and one of them became my wife.

 

[Dino44]

Can a new 3 amp Mira XS manual Shower operate with a 30amp unit, from old electric shower.

 

[davesparks]

Can a new 3 amp Mira XS manual Shower operate with a 30amp unit, from old electric shower.

A 30A supply could be altered to make it suitable by an electrician yes.

 

[timhoward]

A 30A supply could be altered to make it suitable by an electrician yes.

Agreed.
What I was wondering is whether changing types of shower and modifying the circuit to include appropriate overload protection still considered a like-for-like replacement?
Personally I'd prefer to be dragging things up to date and complying with the requirement that all circuits supplying a bathroom have RCD protection. I think that's in his best interests really.
I'd also be checking supplementary bonding is up to scratch if leaving it on a rewireable fuse board.

 

[7029 dave]

I would give the CU upgrade priority ASAP

 

[Dino44]

I would give the CU upgrade priority ASAP

Thanku very much indeed for your wise and good info. I have been quoted £140 to fit a new RCD ( 5 Amp) unit, and disable the 30 amp old HRC electric shower unit.Unless anyone disagrees with this please advise.

 

[JBW175]

Thanku very much indeed for your wise and good info. I have been quoted £140 to fit a new RCD ( 5 Amp) unit, and disable the 30 amp old HRC electric shower unit.Unless anyone disagrees with this please advise.

It’s hard to advise without seeing what you’ve already got installed. Even then, nothing beats a site visit where a proper appreciation of the installation can take place.

I’d say you need an electrician to come round and take a look. £140 seems way too cheap in my eyes.