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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Help! Electric Shower Worries https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1259543746 Message started by sullyfd3s on Nov 30^th, 2009, 1:15am

Title: Help! Electric Shower Worries
Post by sullyfd3s on Nov 30^th, 2009, 1:15am

Hi all,

I've just come across a problem in my bathroom. I have an electric shower with a pull cord switch to operate power to it. When I went to shower this evening, the poker unit came away from the ceiling, minor inconvenience i thought until closer inspection. I notice that two wires in and out of the unit are totally exposed on the 3 phase going in and out or it.

Now the exposed wires are also touching the insulation when this unit is in the ceiling.

It is a new house and only built about 2 years.

In the last day I also noticed the opposite side of the wall where there is an apparent leak somewhere in the attic where I can see the water stains.

I have 3 questions,
1. How dangerous is it that the wires are exposed?
2. How bad is it that the exposed wires are touching the insualtion in the attic?
3. The effects of the leak next to this unit and what could happen.

I'm not going to use the shower while it is like it is, I need to talk to the developer and want an idea of an answer to my questions. It also begs wonder how the rest of the house is wired etc...

Thanks in advance for any advice / help!

Shane

Title: Re: Help! Electric Shower Worries
Post by CWatters on Nov 30^th, 2009, 7:56am

I'm not an electrician but...

If you are refering to the green and yellow wire... that's the earth wire. Not a problem if it's exposed like that.

Should be two screws holding up the switch unit. Turn the power off before fixing it back up.

The leak is a more serious issue. Get it sorted.

Title: Re: Help! Electric Shower Worries
Post by Zambezi on Nov 30^th, 2009, 8:26am

The RHS earth wire (bare copper conductor with the green and yellow sleeving on it) looks like it is not connected, it looks like it stops short of the switch? You need to make sure that both earth wires are connected together securely inside the pull cord.
I could be imagining things but the cable is not very chunky and it looks like a normal pull cord, used for bathroom lights? Are you sure it is for your shower and not for your bathroom lights or possibly a power shower rather than an electric shower?

Title: Re: Help! Electric Shower Worries
Post by sullyfd3s on Nov 30^th, 2009, 11:28am

Thanks for your replies guys, Ya I'm hopefully getting someone in today to see about the leak.

Thanks for the info about the exposed wire, and not presenting any danger.

And yup its an elec shower, seprate switch for the lights and fan.

Cheers guys :)

Title: Re: Help! Electric Shower Worries
Post by londonman on Dec 1^st, 2009, 10:46pm

I reckon that that the screws for fixing that switch only sink into plasterboard. If so then you need to see if there is a joist or someting a bit meatier to get the screws into or else go down your local DIY shed and get some plasterboard fixing screws.

Title: Re: Help! Electric Shower Worries
Post by plugwash on Dec 2^nd, 2009, 1:52am

I wouldn't trust plasterboard fixings for a shower pull switch period, if you can't screw directly to a joist I would nail in a noggin to screw to.