We can only flick the switch if the shower is turned on, otherwise it sparks!
Seems to work for a couple of uses and then flick off again.
Is it a fuse issue (although we haven't changed it)?
Getting very annoying, but also, scared it might be dangerous!
2006-10-24 01:53:13 · 11 answers · asked by howarcg 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
It could be dangerous, especially if the spark caused a fire. You probably have a short on the system somewhere. Losse wire maybe, or wire's touching where they shouldn't.
I also guess I wouldn't want to be in the shower when there's an electrival fault somewhere...
Get a qualified spark to look at it.
2006-10-24 01:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by E=MC2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it has worked ok previously, then there is a fault in the circuit somewhere, probably in the shower unit. Do you mean that you can only reset the CB (switch) when the shower is ON?? without it sparking? The opposite would be normal. ie. closing the breaker with the shower OFF would not trip it untill you turned the shower on again. Possibly water has got inside the shower or the element or other component is faulty. You will have to get a skilled electrician to check it over.
You should have a RCD or RCBO for a shower, not a breaker only!!
2006-10-24 03:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very dangerous. This happened to us but the faulty item was a light fitting. It would turn off at the fuse box turning off electricity to most of the house. When we switched it back on, things would be ok for about 30mins. However, the time lapse was getting shorter each time.When the electrician came out he said that wires were touching where they shouldn't and would soon have caused a fire. You definitely need to get it checked out professionally.
2006-10-24 02:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by Funke123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'ts probably just the sheer power of the shower. If theres other electrical things plugged in it might be caused by a surge due to the amount of electricity it uses. It could also be that your neutral wire is loose in the fuse box. This is a minor problem that can be easily fixed. Have you noticed if your lights dim a little when the shower is turned on and brighten again when turned off? If so it's a loose wire.
2006-10-24 02:02:01 · answer #4 · answered by sonoftheguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is sparking at the switch, the swith needs to be replaced......but first check the wiring to the switch. Maybe it is as simple as a sloppy wiring job.
If it's not the switch........then I begin to wonder if the circuit is up to the power needed for the shower. Could be too many amps for the line.
Time to call an electrician.
No, the fuse is your protector against electrical mishaps. Think of it as a lifeguard.
2006-10-24 02:00:15 · answer #5 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really need to get this checked out. From your description, you have a circuit breaker, not a fuse, otherwise the fuse would blow and you would need to replace it. Sounds like you're tripping the CB with either a power surge or something is wrong in your circuit and that's what's doing it. Get a sparky in!!!! Also, are you sure it's a power shower you have, cos those things tend to run off mains hot water, not electric.
2006-10-24 01:56:22 · answer #6 · answered by twinkle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
youre drawing too much current for the breaker. the 20 stands for 20 amps which is the max amount of current it can and will hold before it either mechanically or thermally trips. what this means is that your heater and the lights are running off of the same circuit/wiring from that breaker. when you turn on the lights also you have exceeded the maximum current for the breaker. the fusebox humming means youre hearing the current passing through the box itself which means that the fusebox is too small for what you are trying to do. which is probably a fire hazard. the only way to fix it is to remove the light and the heater from the same circuit, giving them independent breakers . you can not and should not do this yourself. if your landlord wont do it youre pretty much sol
2016-05-22 05:40:09 · answer #7 · answered by Ivette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems that condesation has damaged the switch...You will need to start and replace the switch....You would know it was a fuse becasue the switch would not work at all.
TURN OFF THE POWER 1st...SAFETY.....
Then replace the switch..
good luck
2006-10-24 01:57:05 · answer #8 · answered by James 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you have a short to the system. might be a good idea to get both a plumber and an electrician to check it out.
2006-10-24 02:01:23 · answer #9 · answered by dread pirate lavenderbeard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
switching off is a safty precausion get the shower checked out
2006-10-24 01:57:32 · answer #10 · answered by cookie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋