Electric shower issue Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[madaminx]

Hi there

Its a long story but got my entire house done a couple of months ago, inc new bathroom with new electric shower, the shower got installed in June / July and I started using it in August, I've had about 10-12 hassle free showers in that time. Its been starting stopping clicking buzzing scalding and freezing me. The shower was purchased under the advice of and with the person who installed it. I've had 3 plumbers out looking at it and the shower doesn't necessarily do what I tell them it does when I'm using it, nevertheless they have come to the conclusion that the problem lies with the water pressure (still not resolved) As a last resort I called Aqualisa (shower manufacturers) and one of their techies came out to look at it yesterday, came to the conclusion that pressure might be the issue however when he used his voltage meter to check the earth reading from my electrics downstairs connected to the shower (reading read 285 but when he metered the earth in the connection within the actual shower unit there was a zero reading. he advised me that I need to check this out as a matter of priority. I contacted the original installer who has not been very consistent and he was going to call to fix it and now he isn't because he believes that the shower is earthed so I'm confused, and pretty angry as well and not sure if I can use my shower.

Any advice welcome.

[stoneyboy]

madaminx,
You must get a written report from an aqualisa engineer and then persue the original installer through the small claims court if necessary.
If it worked OK when installed I would suspect that the pipework was not flushed and debris is now in the shower.
end

[ericmark]

Shower means bathroom which means Part P so any installer will have been legally obligated to have tested the installation and to have either direct or through a scheme provider submitted all test results to the LABC.

This means the installer will have known of any earth problems or would have either submitted false documents or broken the law in some other fashion.

Way to progress will depend to if installer is member of scheme or worked direct through LABC. If through scheme then you contact scheme provider and they will sort it our. If not then direct to council building control.

When the shower was fitted you should have received two sets of paperwork. From installer either minor works certificate or installation certificate and these should contain the earth reading taken when installed. And normally through post within two weeks a completion certificate which confirms the former paperwork have been lodged with the LABC.

The certificates issued by the installer protect both him and you. If some one alters an installation after the installer has left with the certificate he can prove it was OK when tested. Should he have fudged the test results likely when really tested it will show those results could not have been obtained. It also protects you as electricians know how easy it is to prove the results are false and so normally it forces them to do the job correctly. Plus each 10 years when you get the house tested it will show any deterioration.

Even with a minor works the "Essential Tests" will show a tick to show earth continuity then three installation resistance tests all which should be over 1M ohm. Then the earth fault loop impedance which must be under 200 ohms with a TN more like under 2 ohms. Then another tick for polarity and finally the RCD test where the In will be less than 30ma and the time will be less than 40ms. A full installation certificate will contain a lot more.

Have you got these forms and what are the figures entered on it? The guy from Aqualisa will have also raised paperwork to say it is unsafe. Under health and safety rules everything must be written down. Spoken word is not enough. Normally one has stickers to place on any dangerous items telling one not to use.

Citizens advice and local council building control (LABC) will normally help.