DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I had presumed the instructions below meant that my power shower (no heater - integrated pump) must be fitted to the consumer unit or a separate shower unit attached directly to the cu.

[quote]The mains supply must be 230–240 V at 50 Hz connected to the appliance
via a double pole switched 3 Amp fused connection unit (not supplied) with a minimum 3 mm contact separation gap in each pole.

The minimum cable size (cross-sectional area) required is 1mm2 under normal conditions of installation.
A 30 mA residual current device (RCD) must be fitted. This may be part of the consumer unit or a separate unit.[/quote]

However, I found this review and started wondering. Is it really necessary to wire to the cu as the power to the pump is relatively low? Remember there is no heater in this unit...

[quote]In terms of the electrical connection, due to the fact that this unit operates at 150 watts on a 3 amp fuse, I took a switched RCD spur off the lighting circuit - perfectly acceptable for this sort of current.[/quote]

HiWolfytom, don't know where quote in last paragraph came from but such action is totally unacceptable!
your pumped 'power shower' can run from a local power circuit fed via an RCD fused spur with 3A fuse, remembering if it is in a bathroom the wiring must be done under PART P rules.
It is not permitted to run fixed appliances of this load from a lighting circuit, also the starting current if other lights on at the time will prob. trip MCB, rather inconvenient!!
regards SPARX

Thanks Sparx.

So I can power it from a socket circuit connected to an rcb - and ive just run 10mm cable channelled into the wall from the shower to the consumer unit!

What a waste of time and money...

unfortunate this one , but the only saving grace is that if you wish to put a shower in with heater element in then hay presto your already there . Just wonder that possibly instructions packed in wrong box. Regards Jeff

hi sparks for info only , on fitting an outside wall light , am i right to think that this requires a minor works cert , secondly i pressume that this will need testing and inspecting,if so what level of testing is required . your normal accurate and timely responce would be appreciated. Same question for Cert and test on internal cabinet display lamp wired via junction box off existing light curcuit .Regards jeff

[quote="Jeffmo"]hi sparks for info only , on fitting an outside wall light , am i right to think that this requires a minor works cert , secondly i pressume that this will need testing and inspecting,if so what level of testing is required . your normal accurate and timely responce would be appreciated. Same question for Cert and test on internal cabinet display lamp wired via junction box off existing light curcuit .Regards jeff[/quote]

Hi Jeffmo, If outside light wiring already in place & just putting on fitting can't see need for cert. myself as no different to changing like for like.
Adding lights to existing circuit needs Minor Works cert. for sure,
regards as ever
SPARX

Hi Sparks thanks for that , what level of testing required on cabinet lighting addition please , Continuity, ? insulation ? Resistance ? .Regards as ever Jeff

[quote="Jeffmo"]Hi Sparks thanks for that , what level of testing required on cabinet lighting addition please , Continuity, ? insulation ? Resistance ? .Regards as ever Jeff[/quote]

Hi Jeffmo, All the above, plus installation details ie type of earth, (tt,tns,tn-c-s), protective device for circuit ie MCB type B, 6A
polarity correct, earth loop impedance, all on MInor Works Sample down load from IET web etc
also in back of regs/on-site guide etc.
regards SPARX