Electric showers are now a household staple, offering the luxury of hot water on demand without needing a separate hot water system. Unlike traditional gas showers, electric showers heat cold water instantly as it flows through the unit, ensuring a steamy shower every time. However, their power consumption is significant, making it crucial to understand how to manage electrical loads effectively. In this comprehensive guide, discover how to optimise your home's electrical system while enjoying the convenience of a powerful electric shower. 

Let’s begin!

What is the Difference Between a Power Shower and an Electric Shower?

First, let's define a power shower. A power shower combines cold and hot water supplies and a pump to boost water pressure. Unlike electric showers, power showers do not have a built-in heating element. Instead, they use hot water from a connected cylinder, typically heated by a boiler, while the cold water comes from your home's regular cold feed.

Want to learn more? Conor Charnley from Garo delves into shower priority boards, highlighting their importance in dwellings with electric vehicle (EV) chargers and other heavy-duty appliances.

Understanding Shower Amps and Required Fuses

Many homes have more than one shower, often electric. Electric showers come in various wattages and amp ratings to ensure users get the desired flow of warm water. It's essential to wire your electric shower to a protective device with the required amp, depending on the power rating of your shower unit. For example, a 7kW shower unit requires 32 amps. Here's a quick reference list of common electric shower ratings and their corresponding amp requirements:

Most electric showers are rated between 8-9kW, requiring about 40 amps. If two electric showers are used simultaneously, the combined load can exceed the main house fuse rating, potentially causing it to blow. Understanding shower amps is crucial for protecting the main incoming supply. Additionally, using the appropriate consumer unit is vital for safety and efficiency.

Priority and Non-Priority Electric Shower Units

When managing multiple high-power devices like electric showers and EV chargers, understanding priority and non-priority electric shower units is essential. These units ensure that your home's electrical system can handle heavy loads without tripping the main fuse, protecting your consumer unit and preventing potential outages.

Priority Electric Shower Units

Priority electric shower units operate on a master-slave principle, where the master shower always takes precedence. When the master shower is switched on, any slave showers currently in use are automatically switched off. This intelligent system is particularly useful in homes with heavy electrical loads, such as EV chargers, cookers, or high-power bathroom extractor fans. By prioritising the master shower, the system helps manage and balance the overall electrical consumption, ensuring safety and efficiency.

For example, imagine using the electric shower while charging your electric vehicle. With a priority unit in place, the system will ensure that the master shower functions without interruption, even if it means temporarily switching off other connected devices. This setup is crucial for preventing overloads and maintaining a stable power supply, particularly in households with multiple high-demand electrical appliances.

Non-Priority Electric Shower Units

Non-priority electric shower units take a different approach, treating all showers equally. These units restrict the power to only one shower at a time, ensuring that the other is automatically isolated when one shower is in use. This method is effective for homes where simultaneous use of multiple showers is common, but it also ensures that the electrical load does not exceed safe limits.

For instance, in a busy household with multiple showers, a non-priority unit will prevent using two showers at once, thereby avoiding the risk of blowing the main fuse. This ensures that your home's electrical system remains within safe operational limits, protecting the wiring and the central consumer unit.

Choosing the right type of shower unit lets you optimise your home's electrical system to handle modern demands, from electric showers to the brightest lights and beyond. Whether you opt for a priority or non-priority unit, understanding their benefits and functionality is key to maintaining a safe and efficient home environment. 

RCD and RCBO for Showers

An RCD (residual current device) is essential for safety, interrupting the circuit to the shower. A shower RCD unit can be installed beside your existing fuse board, providing RCBO (residual current breaker with overcurrent) protection. This setup ensures user safety in case of a fault, preventing the main supply from blowing. Ensuring the correct shower priority unit is installed can further enhance safety and efficiency.

Key Features of Garo’s Priority & Non-Priority Shower Boards

GARO produces a wide range of shower boards perfect for priority and non-priority units. Here's a look at some of their key features. 

• Simplicity of Usage

• User Guides for Neat Installation

• Enhanced Protection

• Fully Compliant with 18th Edition

• Comprehensive Warranties

Meteor Electrical offers a range of both priority and non-priority units and boards produced by GARO, a leading manufacturer of industrial electrical components. One popular product is the Priority Shower Board 6 Amp IP40 1 Row. For more information or to purchase, visit our website or contact our friendly advisors via email at [email protected] or live chat.

Installation Tips for Electric Showers

Installing an electric shower can be a rewarding DIY project, but following the correct procedures is crucial to ensure safety and efficiency. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you install your electric shower correctly. However, if you're unsure at any stage, hiring a professional electrician is always best to guarantee the installation meets safety standards.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Materials

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials:

• Electric shower unit
• Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
• Drill and appropriate drill bits
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Electrical cable (appropriate size for your shower's power rating)
• Cable clips
• Pipe wrench
• Adjustable spanner
• Shower RCD (residual current device)
• RCBO (residual current breaker with overcurrent)
• Consumer unit with spare ways
• IP rating chart to ensure the unit meets safety standards

Step 2: Turn Off the Power and Water Supply

Safety first! Turn off the power at the consumer unit and the water supply at the main stopcock. Confirm that both are off before proceeding.

Step 3: Position the Shower Unit

Choose a suitable location for your electric shower, ensuring it's within reach of both water and electrical supplies. The unit should be positioned at a comfortable height, with the showerhead ideally positioned so it won't splash directly onto the unit.

Step 4: Mount the Shower Unit

Using a drill, create holes for the shower unit mounting screws. Secure the unit to the wall, ensuring it's firmly fixed. Use cable trunking or conduit to route the electrical cable from the consumer unit to the shower location, ensuring the cable is secured with clips.

Step 5: Connect the Electrical Supply

1. Run the Cable: Run the appropriate electrical cable from your consumer unit to the shower unit. For most electric showers, a ten mm² cable is recommended, but this may vary based on the power rating (check the electric wire colours to match the correct connections).
2. Install RCD/RCBO: To protect the circuit, install a residual current device (RCD) or an RCBO. This device will cut off the power if there’s a fault, ensuring user safety.
3. Wire the Shower: Connect the cable to the shower unit, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, this involves connecting the live (brown), neutral (blue), and earth (green/yellow) wires to the corresponding terminals in the shower.

Note: Remember to check current wiring regulations (BS 7671) and codes to ensure safety at every step of the way. 

Step 6: Connect the Water Supply

1. Attach the Pipe: Connect the water supply pipe to the shower unit. Use a pipe wrench and adjustable spanner to secure the connection, ensuring there are no leaks.
2. Fit the Showerhead: Attach the showerhead to the shower arm. Ensure it’s securely fixed and can be adjusted as needed.

Step 7: Test the Installation

1. Turn On the Water: Slowly turn on the water supply and check for leaks.
2. Turn On the Power: Restore power at the consumer unit and turn on the shower's isolator switch.
3. Test the Shower: Turn on the shower and test the water flow and temperature. Adjust the settings to ensure the shower heats the water correctly.

Step 8: Final Safety Checks

• Check that the shower RCD or RCBO functions correctly by pressing the test button.
• Ensure that the installation complies with the IP rating chart, particularly if the shower is installed in a bathroom or wet area.

By following these steps, you can successfully install your electric shower, ensuring it operates safely and efficiently. Remember, if you encounter any issues or feel unsure at any stage, don't hesitate to consult a professional electrician. Your safety is paramount, and professional installation ensures compliance with electrical regulations and standards.

Key Takeaway

Electric showers offer the convenience of hot water on demand, making them ideal for homes without a separate hot water system. However, they can be energy-intensive, consuming up to 1,460 kWh annually. Proper installation is crucial for safety, requiring protective devices like RCDs or RCBOs and adherence to the IP rating chart.

Priority shower units, which prioritise one shower using a master-slave setup, are beneficial for homes with high electrical loads, such as EV chargers. Non-priority units, on the other hand, ensure only one shower operates at a time, preventing overloads and protecting the main consumer unit.

For those considering a DIY installation, following detailed steps is essential for safety. Alternatively, hiring a professional electrician guarantees compliance with electrical standards. Garo shower boards, available in both priority and non-priority options, offer enhanced protection and compliance with the latest standards. Properly configured consumer units are vital for safely distributing power throughout your home, especially when managing multiple high-power appliances.

For more detailed information on electric showers, consumer units, and installation guides, visit our blog at Meteor Electrical. Our expert advisors are also available to assist with any questions or concerns.

FAQs - Guide to Priority and Non-Priority Showers

Do Electric Showers Use a Lot of Electricity?

Yes, electric showers can be energy-intensive. The average electric shower can consume up to 1,460 kWh of electricity per year.

Are Electric Showers Safe?

Combining water and electricity might sound dangerous, but electric showers are safe when installed correctly. Proper installation and maintenance are key to preventing potential hazards. Understanding the IP rating chart is crucial to ensuring safety in wet environments like bathrooms.

Does an Electric Shower Heat the Water?

Yes, electric showers heat water instantaneously as it flows through the unit. Unlike traditional showers, which rely on external water heaters, electric showers have an internal heating element activated when the shower is turned on. This feature provides on-demand hot water, making electric showers a popular choice for homes without a gas supply or a separate hot water system.

What is the Difference Between Priority and Non-Priority Electric Shower Units?

Priority electric shower units use a master-slave setup where the master shower takes precedence, ensuring efficient management of high electrical loads. Non-priority units treat all showers equally, allowing only one shower to operate at a time to prevent overloads.

Can I Install an Electric Shower Myself?

While it's possible to install an electric shower yourself by following detailed instructions, hiring a professional electrician is recommended to ensure compliance with safety standards and proper installation.