shower problem

[mikel]

I got a call from a customer saying his electric shower was tripping the mcb every few days, there was no pattern to the tripping, shower is used every day and sometimes will go 3 or 4 days without it tripping the mcb and other times it will trip eery day or so. Sometimes trips when shower in use and other times between showers.

I have inspected the cable for signs of damage but found none, mcb is a cpn B40 on a dual RCD board. Insulation resistance on the circuit is >299 Mohms between L/N, L/E, N/E. R1 + R2 is o.21 ohms. Zs 0.71 ohms. I checked the pulll co isolator and it showed some signs of heat damage, so replaced that which resulted in the shower tripping the mcb less frequently. the shower is a mira sport 9.5kw. Has anyone got any ideas what could be causing the mcb to trip in such a random way.

 

[karlb]

9.5kw equates to 41 amps at 230 volts. Could you protective device be too small? What size cable is installed?

 

[ParkySparky]

As Karlb above 9.5kw is a just over 41A at 230v so if this mcb has been overloading regularly it could be deteriorating?

 

[steptoe]

what other MCB is beside the shower one?

 

[Steve3948]

I have inspected the cable for signs of damage but found none, mcb is a cpn B40 on a dual RCD board. Insulation resistance on the circuit is >299 M between L/N, L/E, N/E. R1 + R2 is o.21 . Zs 0.71

>299mohms between L/N ?

Have you tried sticking Amp Meter on it to see what it is actually pulling.

 

[Evans Electric]

Sounds like the circuit is OK , you changed pull switch, so couple of ideas from the posts above :-

Replace the breaker ( 39- 40A maybe just overload ) if possible fit it next to a blank space .

Try Ammeter with shower running . And read the voltage.

What make is a cpn B40 ? Is there a B45A ?

Is the consumer unit in a hot place?

 

[OnOff]

Is it a replacement shower? Maybe higher rating than a previous one? Maybe some muppet just whacked in the new one that was "on special offer" somewhere with no regard for cabling or breaker rating? I'd be checking the cabling too!

Saying that I just scored one of those overhead Triton body driers. The couple I bought it off had the bathroom done first and paid top money. They THEN got the drier only to find it needed it's own supply and the bathrooms in a flat roof extension. Didn't want the hassle of fitting it. When I bought it the bird said it wasn't a huge issue as the under floor heating worked better than expected through the MARBLE floor. Could only find a video of it from Australia. As I understand it, the wife stands under it and comes out looking like the bird in the video!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/P1x3_cOoyrw?feature=oembed

 

[dave2]

Wen I get these issues I always ask if there are teenagers in the house and the answer is always YES.

They tend to just stand under the shower for upwards of 20 minutes daydreaming. Enough time just to operate the mcb if its on the limit.

 

[mikel]

In answer to the questions raised above, its a 32 amp mcb next to the 40 amp one for the shower

Insulation resistance done with shower and pull switch disconnected

CPN is the make of the board and breaker

Consumer unit is in a garage converted to an office but is 'boxed' in by a wooden enclosure

Not tried an ammeter to see what current it is actually 'pulling'.

Think I will try replacing the breaker and see if I can get it with a space on either side and see what happens. Thank you for all the replies

 

[NozSpark]

Is it a replacement shower? Maybe higher rating than a previous one? Maybe some muppet just whacked in the new one that was "on special offer" somewhere with no regard for cabling or breaker rating? I'd be checking the cabling too!Saying that I just scored one of those overhead Triton body driers. The couple I bought it off had the bathroom done first and paid top money. They THEN got the drier only to find it needed it's own supply and the bathrooms in a flat roof extension. Didn't want the hassle of fitting it. When I bought it the bird said it wasn't a huge issue as the under floor heating worked better than expected through the MARBLE floor. Could only find a video of it from Australia. As I understand it, the wife stands under it and comes out looking like the bird in the video!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/P1x3_cOoyrw?feature=oembed

From what I know Triton have discontinued these now:O

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

From what I know Triton have discontinued these now:O

What...

the women or the driers????

 

[NozSpark]

What...the women or the driers????

 

[steptoe]

maybe they were too high maintenance,

and the driers looked they cost a bit to run as well.!

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I got a call from a customer saying his electric shower was tripping the mcb every few days, there was no pattern to the tripping, shower is used every day and sometimes will go 3 or 4 days without it tripping the mcb and other times it will trip eery day or so. Sometimes trips when shower in use and other times between showers.I have inspected the cable for signs of damage but found none, mcb is a cpn B40 on a dual RCD board. Insulation resistance on the circuit is >299 Mohms between L/N, L/E, N/E. R1 + R2 is o.21 ohms. Zs 0.71 ohms. I checked the pulll co isolator and it showed some signs of heat damage, so replaced that which resulted in the shower tripping the mcb less frequently. the shower is a mirs sport 9.5kw. Has anyone got any ideas what could be causing the mcb to trip in such a random way.

You did double check the tightness of all the cable terminations didn't you?

i.e.

shower

shower switch

fuse box, MCB & N bar

Incomer to main switch..

Bad joint could cause a bit of arcing & sparking .. & may be a bit of random surges?

:C

 

[OnOff]

From what I know Triton have discontinued these now:O

Yes, you're right they have. BUT I love a gimmick and the video sold it to me! Guess it won't be long until it'll be a useless feature in the ceiling of the bathroom especially after me, the wife or the kids lose or drop the ONE remote control down the loo!

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 09:04 ---------- Previous post was made at 09:02 ----------

What...the women or the driers????

Sadly the driers. Also the drier comes with a remote whereas women don't.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 09:08 ---------- Previous post was made at 09:04 ----------

maybe they were too high maintenance, and the driers looked they cost a bit to run as well.!

Excellent point. For what they cost to run they could at least 1) Keep themselves looking the the lady in the video and 2) Keep the bathroom looking like the one in the video!