Electric Shower

[mcummins7]

Hi guys,

I put a brand new electric shower into a house last week as the other one wasn't sending out any hot water (I assumed the element or thermostat had gone).

Anyhow, I fitted a new Triton 8.5kW shower and tested it - no problem, working lovely.

Customer rings me today saying that the shower is only giving out cold water!!

Any ideas??

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

gone faulty or tripped mcb or rcbo, what size protective device

 

[telectrix]

could be low water pressure

 

[mcummins7]

Thanks guys.

Mark - I thought the shower wouldn't come on at all if the breaker had tripped as the unit still controls water flow, although I'll check.

Telectrix - I'll check out the flow although it seemed pretty good when I tested and the area is usually 8-9bar mains!!!!!

Suppose you can never rule out USER error!!!

 

[oldtimer]

Did you replace like for like ?
A lot of people who,s 7kw shower breaks down they are eager to get bigger and more power only problem is the circuit cannot take the load

 

[mcummins7]

Checked that thanks - it's got a modern 40A breaker and the original shower was an 8.5

 

[mcummins7]

Seems strange eh lads - I'm investigating Monday and I'll let you know what I found - thanks for your input.

 

[telectrix]

tell user to go by the indicators on the new shower, not to turn the knob to where it used to be on the old one

 

[keniff]

telectrix is on the right track, low pressure can cause a shower to run cold, mine at home does it sometimes aswell. on mine it has a low pressure light.

 

[sjm]

If mains water pressure is 8 - 9 bar this could be too much pressure.

 

[Marvo]

Last time I was in the UK I remember that setting the hot water tap in the shower was a art form. Too little and the shower got hot and cut out, too much and the water was hardly warm. If someone turned on a tap downstairs the pressure fluctuations caused havoc. I can imagine your problem could be any of the suggestions above.

Why are these electric showers so popular? They need a massive electrical supply, they're prone to temperature variations with water pressure variations and the flow rates are usually low. I'm also guessing they're expensive so why did the old type pressurised hot water cylinder go out of fashion?

 

[mcummins7]

Too much pressure is a useful thought. I've put a load of PRV's (pressure reducing valves) in local houses mainly to stop cistern valves and kitchen taps not turning off (hadn't thought of showers)! I'll check the pressure and let you know the outcome. Thanks

 

[beanzntoast]

Hi just to add another idea so dont take it the wrong way,depends on which shower but on some of them after fitting them it could be something as simple as if you dont commission them properly (I'm not saying that you havent)as it explains in the user manual i.e turning the temperature switch fully clockwise then anticlockwise etc etc they have a mind of their own & dont work properly.Just a thought,cheers jason

 

[oldtimer]

I have a power shower ie pumped from an immersion heater (hot water tank) my central heating system heats up the water but I have also got the immersion switch wired up so I have 2 ways of heating the water and yes I have to wait instead of instant hot water and this is through choice because I just do not like electric showers.

 

[martysparky]

Last time I was in the UK I remember that setting the hot water tap in the shower was a art form. Too little and the shower got hot and cut out, too much and the water was hardly warm. If someone turned on a tap downstairs the pressure fluctuations caused havoc. I can imagine your problem could be any of the suggestions above.

Why are these electric showers so popular? They need a massive electrical supply, they're prone to temperature variations with water pressure variations and the flow rates are usually low. I'm also guessing they're expensive so why did the old type pressurised hot water cylinder go out of fashion?

That is dependent on how it was plumbed. There are many DIY showers that have been plumbed from lets say the bath tap pipe so yes when the water is run from the bath is affects the flow in the shower. However if plumbed from the main supply pipe this should not happen.