Unsatisfactory EICR is an absolute shower?

Unsatisfactory EICR is an absolute shower?

11:28 AM, 13th April 2021, About 3 years ago 23

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The electrician who recently did an EICR for my property found the installation “Unsatisfactory”, one of the reasons being that the shower circuit (6mm twin and earth) is overrated with a 40A overcurrent device.

In 2017 I had a new 18th edition consumer unit installed and that electrician provided a complete Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate valid for 5 years to the next inspection. This work was done about a month after installing a new 8.5kW electric shower, and there have not been any electrical issues since – until this EICR. I believe that the 8.5kW shower draws 37amps while a 6mm cable’s capacity depends on how it’s installed and the length of the run, in this case, less than 9m.

Obviously, I don’t want to have to change the cable or the shower, which have been fine for the 4 years since the shower was installed, but if he changes it from a 40A MCB to a 32A MCB I’m concerned the shower will keep tripping that. Advice from our Landlord electricians would be much appreciated.

Silver Flier


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Comments

michaelwgroves

11:43 AM, 19th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Silver Flier at 19/04/2021 - 11:32
Unfortunately that's not a solution, as mentioned by baldelectrician.
You currently have a satisfactory installation, this idea will make it unsatisfactory.
Your next EICR if completed by a competent electrician will fail your shower. Then you'll need to pay again to put it right.
No need to meet him, email him the EIC and photo of cable. Once he has this he should then give you a satisfactory EICR. If not, call his CPS and complain. He will not want them checking this. They could remove his EICR. This is basic stuff for a spark.

TheMaluka

12:44 PM, 22nd April 2021, About 3 years ago

I have had a similar problem and found the best solution is to bite the bullet and replace the wire. 10 mm wire is about £3 a meter and easy to replace, just take a photograph of each end to act as a reminder for all the connections. That solves the problem and prevents any further argument.
Install the cable and get an electrician to terminate both ends if you are unsure.

Jontyv

22:15 PM, 23rd April 2021, About 3 years ago

Just checking the regs for Current Carrying Capacity of 6mm2 Twin and Earth flat PVC cable. The current carrying capacity varies from 47A to 23.5A. The lower figure would apply if a length of cable of over 400mm was surrounded by thermal insulation. The figure for cable above a plasterboard ceiling with over 100mm depth of insulation above the cable and the cable resting on the plasterboard is 27A. This is very common with a section of shower cable running in a loft. If this is the case it may be possible to clip the cable to joists or a length of timber attached to roof trusses. A shower drawing 37A using 6mm cables clipped direct (so with a capacity of 47A) protected by a 40A breaker is absolutely fine.

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