Shower Switch - Required or Not

[NickD]

I'm putting in an electric shower (7kW), which will be protected (and clearly labelled as being for that purpose) by a 30mA 2-pole RCD + 32A MCB (garage/shower type connection unit - no main switch in it, just the RCD & MCB) going outside the bathroom in the airing cupboard at an easily accessible height.

Can anyone think of a reason why in addition to the RCD a dedicated shower switch (pull cord or 'cooker type' or whatever) is *required* by the regs? I've been having a read and can't immediately see anything. Section 701 (bath/shower location) doesn't seem to help. Section 537 (isolation/switching) is relaxed about an RCD being used for isolation (table 53.4)...can be secured in open position...contact positions are indicated...inadvertant closure prevented (unit has a cover)....537.3.2.2 says "shall require manual operation". Hmmm. Does it mean it must *only* be manually operated? Obviously the RCD provides ADS however it only automatically disconnects, never reconnects...

Thoughts? Cheers guys.

 

[Des 56]

Have a look at page 149 of your good book and the answer will become clear to you regarding the selection of your Rcd as an isolation device

What you won't get with the Rcd as an isolation device is a little neon light supplementing the on/off indication

 

[telectrix]

as far as i can see, it's fine.

 

[Octopus]

Best practice = fitting a switch.

Regs =ambigious = need to be clearer.

The fact that you are putting in a CU specifically for the shower makes the switch slightly less important IMHO.

If you were fitting it to a dual rcd board I'd venture to suggest that the DP switch is essential, if nothing else, so you can isolate the shower when the nuisance tripping begins.

 

[MDJ]

I'm putting in an electric shower (7kW), which will be protected (and clearly labelled as being for that purpose) by a 30mA 2-pole RCD + 32A MCB (garage/shower type connection unit - no main switch in it, just the RCD & MCB) going outside the bathroom in the airing cupboard at an easily accessible height.

Can anyone think of a reason why in addition to the RCD a dedicated shower switch (pull cord or 'cooker type' or whatever) is *required* by the regs? I've been having a read and can't immediately see anything. Section 701 (bath/shower location) doesn't seem to help. Section 537 (isolation/switching) is relaxed about an RCD being used for isolation (table 53.4)...can be secured in open position...contact positions are indicated...inadvertant closure prevented (unit has a cover)....537.3.2.2 says "shall require manual operation". Hmmm. Does it mean it must *only* be manually operated? Obviously the RCD provides ADS however it only automatically disconnects, never reconnects...

Thoughts? Cheers guys.

No reason why it is required except professionalism.

 

[NickD]

Have a look at page 149 of your good book and the answer will become clear to you regarding the selection of your Rcd as an isolation device

That be table 53.4 which I alluded to and says it's fine provided it's fit for on-load isolation which it is. That's assuming the good book you refer to isn't Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab, which actually improves with every read (with apologies to Alan Partridge).

What you won't get with the Rcd as an isolation device is a little neon light supplementing the on/off indication

Don't want one. Under neon, loneliness. Motorcycle emptiness.....

 

[DPG]

Back of the net!

 

[NickD]

No reason why it is required except professionalism.

Why does fitting a shower switch regardless of whether it is required or not imply professionalism? I don't feel more professional if I say "I always do it this way cos I always have and everyone else does, even though you can isolate all live conductors without it and no-one ever uses the flipping thing anyway". Certainly don't feel more professional adding superfluous joints and points of failure on a (relatively!) high current circuit.

 

[MDJ]

Why does fitting a shower switch regardless of whether it is required or not imply professionalism? I don't feel more professional if I say "I always do it this way cos I always have and everyone else does, even though you can isolate all live conductors without it and no-one ever uses the flipping thing anyway". Certainly don't feel more professional adding superfluous joints and points of failure on a (relatively!) high current circuit.

Just my view, I suppose if you never had the training you wouldn't understand. To add you came here and asked a question, which meant you wanted opinions, if you don't like others opinions if they are not the same as yours then why bother to ask? what a silly world it would be if everyone thought the same and didn't have a view lol. Another serious answer is "what does the manufacturer say?" does it say on the installation instructions that local isolation or switching is required? apart from professionaliam of course, oops shouldn't have mentioned that, thats an opinion, you don't like opinions do you? lol

 

[wozz]

Nothing in the regs or manuf instructions (over what you have already suggested), well that ive found anyway.

 

[Octopus]

If I was writing the amendments to the 17th ed I WOULD insert the following reg:

"Where fixed appliances are installed on a circuit which is protected by a "shared" RCD, DP isolation must be installed to allow isolation of said appliance. This would apply to cookers, fans, showers, outside lights, outside sockets, etc, etc"


Just my thoughts.

 

[Des 56]

Certainly don't feel more professional adding superfluous joints and points of failure on a (relatively!) high current circuit.

Logical and too the point,spoken like a true proffesional

 

[MDJ]

If I was writing the amendments to the 17th ed I WOULD insert the following reg:

"Where fixed appliances are installed on a circuit which is protected by a "shared" RCD, DP isolation must be installed to allow isolation of said appliance. This would apply to cookers, fans, showers, outside lights, outside sockets, etc, etc"


Just my thoughts.

Exactly, I agree 100% and thank god we have a professional saying it as well, theres hope for the trade yet.

 

[7029 dave]

In my book there is no other way, BUT to fit one, think its just me being old school!!. lol

 

[Des 56]

Gotta be time for a poll

I have never fitted a shower without conventional local isolator, have you?



Regs aside
It would never enter my head to not fit the switch ,but aside from that,when we put one in,the vast majority of folk use it as a on/off facility
Very often I advise people to stop swinging on that string every time they finish a shower,its an isolation device not a functional switch