Shower job

[Griffin]

Got a call from a mate who's a plumber he has a job to 'just change a U/S shower with another same sized unit' (8.5kw)

CU is old wylex with rewirables, No RCD's in sight

I have told him I won't do it until I have checked the following

• Main bonding is adequate and in place
• Check and verify earthing arrangements
• Fit as RCD to shower supply (in accordance with manufacturers instructions)

Obvioulsy this is the safest and most thorough way of doing the job, but could the work be also classed as maintenance or a distress change??????

The customer wants to spend as little as possible (as usual)

Thoughts please guys and gals

G

 

[Risteard]

The safe option is always the best, but the customer always has the final say

I don't believe that the customer has the final say when it comes to matters of safety, either legally or morally.

 

[Phil Mumford]

I obtained some clarification on this one today at an NIC techtalk. The wiring regs DO NOT require that you fit an RCD when swapping a shower. However (as stated by several posters) they do require you to follow manufacturers instructions, obviously.

I believe that manufacturers instruction reflect the regulations and not the other way round. Manufacturers did not require a shower to be supplied by an RCD until they became commonly available - maybe they didn't ask for this until the 17th....

I am content that installing an RCD when doing a 'one for one' shower replacement is not a direct requirement of the regs.

Money being no object though, I would install an RCD every time. Safer is better.

Anyone patented the 50A RCD pullswitch yet?

While I am being silly remember to turn off your immersion heater before you turn the hot tap on....and watch them instantaneous handwash units.......chuffing lethal !!!!