Electric shower pull switch isolator

[clematis432]

Hi, my neighbour has had to change his electric shower (6kw) pull switch (32A) 3 times in 4yrs. Apart from it possibly being poor quality switches he,s replacing, I was wondering if there is any reason not to leave the pull switch isolator in the "on" position. Thanks

 

[clematis432]

Not doubting your sincerity Clem, but how do you know that? if there is a duff connection then contact burnout will occur. Bite the bullet and fit a decent wall isolator

Just can,t quite work out Pete, how a duff connection can cause switch contacts to burn out. Surely a bad cable connection would not contribute to excess current going through the switch contacts ? But totally agree a wall mounted isolator is much better than a fiddly pull switch.

You said you had replaced it 3 times in 4 years??
Inside shower; faulty components, low ir, reverse polarity could all affect the isolator

Don,t want to go on and on Charlie about this stupid switch but can,t quite work out/get to grips with how these things would cause an increase in current through the switch contacts(only thing likely to burn out switch) but thanks all for input.

 

[Pete999]

Just can,t quite work out Pete, how a duff connection can cause switch contacts to burn out. Surely a bad cable connection would not contribute to excess current going through the switch contacts ? But totally agree a wall mounted isolator is much better than a fiddly pull switch.

Don,t want to go on and on Charlie about this stupid switch but can,t quite work out/get to grips with how these things would cause an increase in current through the switch contacts(only thing likely to burn out switch) but thanks all for input.

A maintenance spark not knowing what a bad connection can cause Gawd help us

 

[clematis432]

A maintenance spark not knowing what a bad connection can cause Gawd help us
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A maintenance spark not knowing what a bad connection can cause Gawd help us

I know very well the damage a bad connection can do, but what it can,t do, is cause an increase of current. Do you know something I don,t ?

 

[clematis432]

I know very well the damage a bad connection can do but what it can,t do, is cause an increase in current. Do you know something I don,t ?

 

[Pete999]

Oh right? but it can cause arching, heat, high resistance joints, therefore burnt contacts, therefore failure, of circuit therefore failure of switch therefore non functioning equipment ergo shower.

 

[clematis432]

Or do you agree with Charlie that things like reversed polarity, low IR, can cause an increase in fault current ?

Oh right? but it can cause arching, heat, high resistance joints, therefore burnt contacts, therefore failure, of circuit therefore failure of switch therefore non functioning equipment ergo shower.

Oh right? but it can cause arching, heat, high resistance joints, therefore burnt contacts, therefore failure, of circuit therefore failure of switch therefore non functioning equipment ergo shower.

Yes it can cause arcing,heat, high resistance joints all right but all this would be at the bad connection not through the switch contacts, where are you actually coming from ?

 

[Charlie_]

So there has been 4 isolators in 4 years..
Your connections in isolators have been ok..
You seem to be happy with the rating of the isolators..
So I would be now checking out the shower..
How do you know for certain they haven’t been switching it on/off under load?
I would test shower element and whatnot

 

[Charlie_]

When did I say those issues would cause an increase in current?

 

[clematis432]

So there has been 4 isolators in 4 years..
Your connections in isolators have been ok..
You seem to be happy with the rating of the isolators..
So I would be now checking out the shower..
How do you know for certain they haven’t been switching it on/off under load?
I would test shower element and whatnot

Check out the shower for what ?

 

[Charlie_]

Is the isolator double pole?
Does it break both poles at the same time?

 

[Pete999]

Or do you agree with Charlie that things like reversed polarity, low IR, can cause an increase in fault current ?


Yes it can cause arcing,heat, high resistance joints all right but all this would be at the bad connection not through the switch contacts, where are you actually coming from ?

What are the causes of high resistance joints? burnt contacts or something else

 

[Charlie_]

Check the shower to make sure it is still functioning efficiently

 

[clematis432]

When did I say those issues would cause an increase in current?

you said they could burn out contacts if not by excess current, then by what ?

Is the isolator double pole?
Does it break both poles at the same time?

Charlie, night night

 

[Pete999]

I'm out

 

[clematis432]

Check the shower to make sure it is still functioning efficiently

night night