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shower isolator switch

  • 16-02-2019 2:11pm
    #1
    legendary.xix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭


    https://assets.astra247.com/product/12/standard/65323.jpg

    It stopped working while in use! The switch is on. The red light is off. The switch will not switch off now. The fuse box is off for the switch.

    Do the isolator switches have there own fuse that needs to be replaced or is it the switch itself that requires replacing?


Comments

  • #2
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users Posts: 16,871 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    legendary.xix wrote:
    Do the isolator switches have there own fuse that needs to be replaced or is it the switch itself that requires replacing?

    The switch needs replacing.


  • #3
    legendary.xix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭legendary.xix


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    The switch needs replacing.

    Thanks for confirming. My first time having to replace one and it worked fine! Have a nice evening!


  • #4
    salmocab
    Registered Users Posts: 11,282 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    legendary.xix wrote: »
    Thanks for confirming. My first time having to replace one and it worked fine! Have a nice evening!

    Double check your connections. A loose or bad one will heat up a lot and over time you could end up with a major issue


  • #5
    legendary.xix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭legendary.xix


    salmocab wrote: »
    Double check your connections. A loose or bad one will heat up a lot and over time you could end up with a major issue

    The replacement isolator switch has stopped working. Unlike a few days ago, the switch at the fuse box has not tripped. Am I looking at a possible bad connection? Could the fuse at the fuse box need replacing though it's switch has not tripped?


  • #6
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users Posts: 16,871 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    legendary.xix wrote:
    The replacement isolator switch has stopped working. Unlike a few days ago, the switch at the fuse box has not tripped. Am I looking at a possible bad connection? Could the fuse at the fuse box need replacing though it's switch has not tripped?


    The trip switch can be faulty and stay in the on position. It could also be the pull cord switch. I think it's time to call in a registered electrical contractor. He will use a multi meter to determine the cause of the problem. He will test everything from the shower itself right back to the fusebox, replace what needs replacing and issue you a cert when all is working


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  • #7
    salmocab
    Registered Users Posts: 11,282 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    legendary.xix wrote: »
    The replacement isolator switch has stopped working. Unlike a few days ago, the switch at the fuse box has not tripped. Am I looking at a possible bad connection? Could the fuse at the fuse box need replacing though it's switch has not tripped?

    I would say it’s unlikely the Rcbo is faulty its most likely a bad connection. The problem with a shower is it’s high current can cause overheating on a bad connection which can cause damage to the terminal or cable itself. This can happen on any circuit but the shower is probably the most susceptible. I remember from the pic you posted you used a wall switch, was it the right rating for the shower?

    Actually have you tried tripping the rcbo manually as sometimes the internal mechanism trips and the switch stays up.


  • #8
    legendary.xix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭legendary.xix


    salmocab wrote: »
    I would say it’s unlikely the Rcbo is faulty its most likely a bad connection. The problem with a shower is it’s high current can cause overheating on a bad connection which can cause damage to the terminal or cable itself. This can happen on any circuit but the shower is probably the most susceptible. I remember from the pic you posted you used a wall switch, was it the right rating for the shower?

    Actually have you tried tripping the rcbo manually as sometimes the internal mechanism trips and the switch stays up.

    The old isolator switch did feel warmer than usual in recent weeks before it stopped on Saturday.

    I will check bad connection and rating of the switch and report back.

    Possibly one of the connecting wires should have been paired back for a cleaner contact as well.


  • #9
    legendary.xix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭legendary.xix


    legendary.xix wrote: »
    The old isolator switch did feel warmer than usual in recent weeks before it stopped on Saturday.

    I will check bad connection and rating of the switch and report back.

    Possibly one of the connecting wires should have been paired back for a cleaner contact as well.

    I flicked down the trip switch for the shower. I flicked it back up, the red light is on the isolator wall switch. Any thoughts?


  • #10
    salmocab
    Registered Users Posts: 11,282 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    legendary.xix wrote: »
    I flicked down the trip switch for the shower. I flicked it back up, the red light is on the isolator wall switch. Any thoughts?

    Well first up is the trip switch an mcb or an rcbo. Basically is it just a single trip switch or is it twice as wide and have a test button on it? What rating is it and what kw is the shower? I’d check the connections as s bad connection could cause higher current.
    Honestly and I know often here people get a pain hearing this you probably need an REC. the problem with electricity is it’s very easy to get it to work but it’s quite difficult to get it to work safely.


  • #11
    legendary.xix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭legendary.xix


    salmocab wrote: »
    Well first up is the trip switch an mcb or an rcbo. Basically is it just a single trip switch or is it twice as wide and have a test button on it? What rating is it and what kw is the shower? I’d check the connections as s bad connection could cause higher current.
    Honestly and I know often here people get a pain hearing this you probably need an REC. the problem with electricity is it’s very easy to get it to work but it’s quite difficult to get it to work safely.
    Trip switch: G-RCB, B40
    Shower: Mira Elite St, 10kW

    The old isolator switch was 45A and that's what I have gotten to replace it with.


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  • #12
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users Posts: 16,871 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    legendary.xix wrote:
    Trip switch: G-RCB, B40 Shower: Mira Elite St, 10kW

    You need a REC. It's illegal for you to be doi any of this yourself.

    It sounds like a faulty RCBO.

    Get your REC to install a good quality 50amp wall switch.

    They will test everything with specialist equipment & issue you with a safety cert

    EDIT: In the meantime the shower is not safe to use


  • #13
    TheChizler
    Registered Users Posts: 9,400 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    You need a REC. It's illegal for you to be doi any of this yourself.

    It sounds like a faulty RCBO.

    Get your REC to install a good quality 50amp wall switch.

    They will test everything with specialist equipment & issue you with a safety cert

    EDIT: In the meantime the shower is not safe to use
    Illegal to replace an existing wall switch like for like?


  • #14
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users Posts: 16,871 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    TheChizler wrote: »
    Illegal to replace an existing wall switch like for like?




    Illegal to work anywhere on the shower. From the shower to the RCBO


    The isolation switch might be outside of the bathroom but it's part of the shower installation.


    It's been asked & answered several times on the electrical forum


  • #15
    TheChizler
    Registered Users Posts: 9,400 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    Illegal to work anywhere on the shower. From the shower to the RCBO


    The isolation switch might be outside of the bathroom but it's part of the shower installation.


    It's been asked & answered several times on the electrical forum

    Had a quick look there because I had never heard this before (obviously RCBO and I wouldn't touch the actual shower myself, but the switch?), in fact I found this from yourself talking about replacing the pull cord actually in the bathroom?
    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    dodzy wrote: »
    Surely this is not a RECI requirement ?

    No but competent is required. If cable is not tightened properly it can be a fire hazard. I'm replacing one right now that the homeowner fitted less than 3 months ago.

    Have the rules recently changed?


  • #16
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users Posts: 16,871 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    TheChizler wrote: »
    Had a quick look there because I had never heard this before (obviously RCBO and I wouldn't touch the actual shower myself, but the switch?), in fact I found this from yourself talking about replacing the pull cord actually in the bathroom?



    Have the rules recently changed?

    Restricted Electrical Works; this involves restricting the carrying out and certification of all
    Controlled Electrical Works in a domestic setting to RECs with no legal exemption for the
    Owner or Occupier.
    As set out in Statutory Instruments, S.I. No. 264 of 2013, Restricted Electrical Works are:
    1. the installation, commissioning, inspection and testing of a new Electrical Installation
    which is fixed, fastened or mounted or otherwise secured so that its position does not
    change and requires connection or re-connection to the distribution network or the
    transmission network, as the case may be;
    2.
    the modification, installation or replacement
    of a
    Distribution Board
    including customer
    tails on either side of the Main Protective Device or of an Electrical
    Installation in any of
    the special locations listed in Part 7 of the National Rules for Electrical Installations
    , as
    the case may be;
    3. the installation or replacement of one or more circuits in an Electrical Installation,
    including the installation of one or more additional protective devices for such circuits on a
    Distribution Board; or
    4. the inspection, testing or certification of, or reporting on, existing Electrical Installations
    covered by Chapter 62 of the National Rules for Electrical Installations;
    in a Domestic Property.
    Minor electrical work remain outside the scope of Restricted Electrical Works (see
    document CER/13/147 for definition of minor electrical works).


    Any electrical installation in part 7 is restricted works. An electric shower in a wet area in the bathroom is covered by this law. The installation is from the fusebox to the shower & this includes the pull cord switch or the wall switch. the modification, installation or replacement
    of the "electrical installation" (shower, isolation switch, cable & RCBO are all part of the installation).


    Believe it or not certain bulbs in the wet area of the bathroom can only be changed by a REC. I don't expect too many homeowners to be willing to pay a REC to replace a bulb but that is the law.





    I'm not telling OP they shouldn't replace the isolation switch. I'm just pointing out the legal aspect to it so they are fully informed


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