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.

 

[UNG]

Personally I don't like using RCD's for this purpose they are fickle enough at the best of times and the continual switching must have some adverse affect on the calibration with the additional wear and tear on the
switching mechanism. Bottom line is will it do it's intended function if a fault occurs with all this additional switching

RCD's only need to be tested every 3 months not after every shower LOL

 

[Engineer54]

Personally I don't like using RCD's for this purpose they are fickle enough at the best of times and the continual switching must have some adverse affect on the calibration with the additional wear and tear on the
switching mechanism. Bottom line is will it do it's intended function if a fault occurs with all this additional switching

RCD's only need to be tested every 3 months not after every shower LOL

That is actually a very good point you've made there!! lol!!
Not that most people actually switch off the local isolation switch after every shower mind!!