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showers and rcds

  • 20-12-2007 10:39pm
    #1
    dolittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭


    can two 40 amp rcds be fitted to a domestic mcb board?
    i know a priority/non priority panel would be a better idea but is it a case of good practice or a regulation?


Comments

  • #2
    RoundyMooney
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,910 ✭✭✭✭RoundyMooney


    It's a case of physics.

    60 or 80A main fuse, or the bog standard 63A in your main board will not cope with two showers for very long.

    A 63A RCD is available as a replacement for the 40A, where the capacity is required.


  • #3
    dolittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭dolittle


    but can two rcds be used instead of a priority panel?
    so that you can use the two showers but ensure that only one is used at a time.


  • #4
    bushy...
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭bushy...


    How would just having two rcds prevent you using both showers together ?


  • #5
    dolittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭dolittle


    it wouldnt
    i never said it would
    just trying to determine if a priority panel is a regulation or a recommendation
    by the two rcds i`m trying to discover if you fit them and tell the client only to use one shower at a time


  • #6
    Hoagy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭Hoagy


    I think the Wiring Rules require you to design your installation to suit the supply capacity, for example 13KW domestic.
    I don't think telling the client to use one at a time would comply.


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  • #7
    dolittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭dolittle


    thats the line we were going down
    couldnt get a definitive answer from the regs book
    pull it out again tomorrow for another look


  • #8
    fishdog
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭fishdog


    but can two rcds be used instead of a priority panel?
    so that you can use the two showers but ensure that only one is used at a time.

    You can have one rcd, no priority panel and two showers.

    All you have to do is have the rcd feeding a 63A contactor, with two showers connected to the other side of the contactor. One shower is connected to the supply when the contactor is energised the other one is connected when the shower is de-energised. The shower that is powered up is therefore protected by the rcd.

    Outside each bathroom install a 2 way switch, either switch can select which shower is energised by energising the coil of the contactor.

    If the shower isolators installed has a neon you can tell which shower is energised at a glance.

    All of the above is within the regulations and safe.

    The priority units are expensive and give alot of trouble.


  • #9
    Hoagy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭Hoagy


    Annex 43A (page 184 in mine) deals with multiple showers.


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