Fit an Electric Shower
Electric showers work by independently heating cold water, eliminating the need for a hot water tank or for hot water storage. Because the electrical power needed for their heating elements is so great, electrical showers must be connected to independent electrical circuits. In older buildings or in locations where gas-heated hot water is not readily accessible, electric showers are an economical option; in other cases, however, the need for an independent circuit often results in an expensive project. This guide will teach you the basic steps of installing an electric shower and will provide tips for easier installation and warnings.
Steps
- Pick a location for your electric shower that is near the main cold water supply and close to a spot where you can install an independent circuit.
- Consult an electrician for advice on the size and type of independent circuit to install for your shower to ensure that you have adequate electricity.
- You will likely have to include a consumer unit with your circuit.
- Consult a plumber to ensure that your building's plumbing system will be able to accommodate an electric shower.
- Install the independent circuit near the location of the electric shower along with any necessary consumer units or earth cables.
- Wire the independent circuit to an isolating switch, which should be located above the shower.
- This will allow the shower to turn off when not working.
- Attach the electric cable from the isolating switch to the back of the electric shower power unit and wire accordingly.
- Secure a pipe from the cold water main supply to the spot where the shower unit will be mounted.
- Attach a non-return valve or stop tap to the pipe to isolate the shower's water supply from the rest of the building.
- Attach the pipe to the shower unit using a compression fitting.
- Mount the shower unit and the shower head to the wall.
- Turn on the water supply and the independent circuit.
- Check to see that the electric shower is heating the water quickly and efficiently.
Tips
- Installing an electric shower usually means hooking up the shower to the main cold water supply; in rare circumstances, however, your building's water pressure will not be great enough to supply the shower and you will need to provide a separate cold water tank. A plumber can determine if this is the case and provide guidance on installing the tank.
Warnings
- Make sure that all pipes around the electric shower are bonded to the earth and that all electrical wiring is properly grounded. Electric showers are designed to be safe, but the combination of high electricity and running water can lead to accidents if installation is not properly executed.
- Never install an electric shower without consulting both an electrician and a plumber to ensure that your house or building meets the minimum requirements.
- When learning how to fit an electric shower, do not turn on the power from the independent circuit while installing.
Things You'll Need
- Electric shower unit
- Independent circuit
- Pipe (usually 15 mm)
- Compression fitting
- Consumer unit (optional)
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