Shower pull chord with small burn marks??

GreenMint

GreenMint

GreenMint

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Heya guys, just wondered if anyone could help me out with a query, went to see a house to buy yesterday, all looked good aside from a problem with a small burn mark on the shower pull chord housing, the shower they said does not work at the minute, due to them leaving the pull chord turned on and it burnt out. Obviously they said they are planning to rectify this, but I'm not sure exactly to what extent it'll be done or patched up, just really curious to see how many people have had/seen this and know of the kinda damage it could cause?

The burn mark is similar to the one posted below, although smaller, probably a bit smaller than a 1 penny piece.

10200010122799982382132.jpg


Thanks :)
 
I'm aware that its electrical burning, and that there are wires inside, its more to what extent any sort of damage could have been done thats worrying us! :)
 
TimBrad said:
I'm aware that its electrical burning, and that there are wires inside, its more to what extent any sort of damage could have been done thats worrying us! :)
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Only way to find out is flick the braker switch and remove the cover and have a look. Make sure power is off first though.
Doh' missed the your buying it bit. All you'll need to do is replace the unit or maybe even just re do the wiring inside it.
 
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Shouldn't really matter too much - if you're buying a house potentially having to replace the shower cord unit or even shower itself is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
 
Cheers guys, yeah I know if its just the unit etc.. that its not a big deal in the slightest, was more that we're first time buyers, have no experience in this kinda thing so we were worrying it could be more than it looks, but thanks for the reasurance ;)
 
Looks like burning as a result of circuit overloading, you typically get these sort of burn marks on the neutral hole of a wall socket when you overload it with too many appliances. Electrical showers draw a huge amount of energy, it's common for them to draw 8.5kilowatts or more.
 
RobH said:
Looks like burning as a result of circuit overloading, you typically get these sort of burn marks on the neutral hole of a wall socket when you overload it with too many appliances. Electrical showers draw a huge amount of energy, it's common for them to draw 8.5kilowatts or more.
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This.
 
Trouble is you wont know till the cover comes off. If you're worried I suggest you negotiate passing a fixed wiring test into the conditions of sale.

I'm not an electrician but these come to mind in order of likelihood:

1) Defective switch / switch with insufficient current rating
Replacement switch will completely fix

2) Loose connection
Replacement switch will likely fix unless cable insulation has been burnt then problem 3 solution applies.

3) Damaged cable insulation / wire kinked and broken when being squished into the housing. Subsequent arcing caused the burning.
Fix ranges from remaking the connection to fitting new section of wire depending on access and how much spare there is to pull out of the ceiling.

4) Insufficient cable diameter used for supplying the electric shower. Cable overheated, melted the insulation then shorted.
New cable run from consumer unit. This would be likely if the shower was originally 7KW or less and run off a 6mm2 cable. If this was replaced with a more powerful unit the cable would need to be upgraded to 10mm2.
 
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Fourstar said:
4) Insufficient cable diameter used for supplying the electric shower. Cable overheated, melted the insulation then shorted.
New cable run from consumer unit. This would be likely if the shower was originally 7KW or less and run off a 6mm2 cable. If this was replaced with a more powerful unit the cable would need to be upgraded to 10mm2.
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If it wasn't just caused by a loose wire or faulty terminal in the switch the above is the most likely option.
Now, if someone's just replaced the old shower with a new, more powerful one without having the knowledge and ability to upgrade the existing cable run properly then there may be other issues with the system too and if the shower is a whole new system and circuit installed after 2005 then they should have a certificate detailing it's installation characteristics.
In light of this you should get them to have a PIR done at their expense, some HIP packs have this included now I believe.
I wouldn't be happy with them just replacing the switch as it will go again if it is insufficient cabling causing it :)

RobH said:
Looks like burning as a result of circuit overloading, you typically get these sort of burn marks on the neutral hole of a wall socket when you overload it with too many appliances. Electrical showers draw a huge amount of energy, it's common for them to draw 8.5kilowatts or more.
Click to expand...
Showers should be on their own dedicated circuit designed specifically to handle the large load.
 
:)As others have said its a burnt out isolator, not too uncommon (but certianly would reocmmend that shower is not used again until its sorted)

Just needs a new isolator and the cable cutting back (hope its got slack)

That one looks to have quite extensive burning, but even if you get one thats not too bad and the conductor insulation is not badly burnt, its important to cut it back to shiney copper, otherwise you'll be clamping down on discoloured heat damaged copper and it'll be unsound and you'll get the same problem again!

Oh and of course, make sure the terminals are tightened properly... no limp wristed-ness allowed on shower circuits :p

Though if you are looking at a house to buy I'd strongly recommend a perioidic inspection :)
 
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