How To - Installing an Electric Shower

Installing an Electric Shower.

Below we have provided a brief guide to fitting an electric shower. The information is intended as a guide only to assist with the selection of a new product.

We would always recommend that these showers are installed in accordance with IEE wiring regulations and relevant building regulations by a suitably qualified registered electrician.

Electric Shower Plumbing Requirements.

Option One - Mains Supply.

For correct operation these showers should be installed to mains cold water feed with a minimum running pressure of 0.7 bar using 15mm diameter pipe work.
A static pressure of at least 1.0 bar is required and you should check that you have a minimum flow rate of 8 liters per minute. Always check manufacturer’s installation guides for exact details as this can vary. For example our NewTeam models require 1.0 bar.

Option Two - Pumped Tank Fed Supply.

If a mains supply is not achievable then you can use your cold water storage tank and install a single impeller pump.

Some showers can use a positive head pump, however, you will need a minimum flow rate of 1 liter per minute from the shower handset to activate the pump. Some electric showers can have restrictive solenoids which do not allow this natural flow of water. If this is the case you will need to install a negative head pump as this will maintain the pressure between the pump and the shower unit.

Fitting a 2.0 bar pump would normally be sufficient as it would easily be able to supply the correct flow and maintain the running pressure.

We have a wide selection of pumps available from our sister web site www.new-team-pumps.co.uk.

Inlet Connections.

Electric Shower - Electrical Requirements.

Before deciding what power or kilowatt rating of electric shower you wish to use, or if you can use one at all the first place to start is at the main fuse and consumer unit.

You need to assess if you have a spare way on your consumer unit with sufficient rating for an electric shower.

All electric showers require a dedicated cable from the consumer unit to the shower itself. You CANNOT take a supply from your ring main or existing electric circuit.

Main Fuse and Consumer Unit.

The main fuse is normally decided by your electrical supplier so, please ask them if you are not sure. We advise caution here as there have been instances of people assuming that because it states 60 amps on the cover that there will be a 60 amp cartridge fuse inside were there has only been a 40amp. Always double check!!

You need to consider all other electrical appliances in your property, you will have to consider all appliances that could be in use at the same time as the electric shower. Items such as kettles, washing machines, ovens and hobs all use large power loads, as will all equipment with heating elements and motors.

For example: you have flat with a 60 amp main fuse you have 2 x ring main circuits, 2 x lighting circuits, and an immersion heater you would than use a 7 Kw shower.

Most properties have either a 60, 80 or 100amp main fuse.

Have a look at our cable sizing chart below and this will help you assess what size fuse rating is needed for a particular power of shower.

If you do not have a spare way on your consumer unit we would recommend you take advice from an electrician as it can be costly to fit a new one and you may then wish to consider an alternative showering option.

You should also consider the practicality of running a new cable from the consumer to the new shower.

Local Isolating Switch.

You will need to install a switch near to the electric shower to turn the power off when not in use also for ease of servicing, repairing or replacing. There are two main types of switches either wall mounted or ceiling mounted pull cords with neon indicators so you know when it is on or off, they are normally described as double pole isolating switches.

Cable Sizing.

The size of cable required will depend on several factors, the length of cable run, the power of the shower, and the material the cable is run through. Always' keep cable lengths to a minimum take the shortest possible route. Never run cables next to hot water pipes or heating pipes as this could lead to damage to the cable.

We at new team showers have created the chart below as a guideline to assist with the installation of electric showers, if in doubt you should always consult a qualified electrician.

This information page is intended to be used as a guideline only and is not to be relied upon as accurate. The installation must be in accordance with the current edition of BS 7671 "The IEE Wiring Regulations" in force at the time of installation. Always consult the supplied manufacturers installation documents.
Please be safe if you are not sure always consult with a qualified plumber or electrician.

Basic Checklist.

1. Check Mains supply or pumped tank fed supply
2. Check consumer unit and assess fuse rating
3. Check cable size and run
4. Choose your new electric shower

You can see our selection of electric showers here.