Should we replace the electric shower or try to fix it?

[Giulio]

Hello,

We stopped using our electric shower at home because it started leaking water from the wall mounted part of it.

After opening it I've found that there's a leak somewhere, not far from the electric connections.

I see the water sprinkling in the circled area in this image: http://i62.tinypic.com/240ype0.jpg

The shower is a Galaxy Aqua 3000 10.5Kw.

Do you think it's something that could be fixed? or should we look for a new electric shower all together?


thanks,

Giulio

[Bob Minchin]

My first thought which sounds condescending but not meant to be is "if
you have to ask then you possibly ought not to try to repair"
However trying to be constructive....

Depends if you can get the parts? could be a simple seal that has failed
- likely to be a generic O ring or part of the moulded plastic bit has
split and you will need the bespoke part.

Good Luck

[Giulio]

Thanks,


I found the original spares here, I will try replacing the N. 14, which seems to me the broken part.

You are right, it might well be the gasket or the orings, I'll try replacing them all.

I've never repaired an electric shower, what scares me is all that water so close to the electricity. That looks pretty dangerous to me. Though I've seen several electric showers working similarly, and I don't understand how these can be considered safe.

Is there any security mechanisms in the electric showers that I might not be aware of?

thanks,

[Fredxxx]

On 22/01/2015 11:50, Bob Minchin wrote:
> Giulio wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> We stopped using our electric shower at home because it started
>> leaking water from the wall mounted part of it.
>>
>> After opening it I've found that there's a leak somewhere, not far
>> from the electric connections.
>>
>> I see the water sprinkling in the circled area in this image:
>> http://i62.tinypic.com/240ype0.jpg
>>
>> The shower is a Galaxy Aqua 3000 10.5Kw.
>>
>> Do you think it's something that could be fixed? or should we look for
>> a new electric shower all together?
>>
>>
>> thanks,
>>
>> Giulio
>>
>
> My first thought which sounds condescending but not meant to be is "if
> you have to ask then you possibly ought not to try to repair"
> However trying to be constructive....

That would make asking a question, and this group obsolete.

> Depends if you can get the parts? could be a simple seal that has failed
> - likely to be a generic O ring or part of the moulded plastic bit has
> split and you will need the bespoke part.

I would make doubly sure where the leak is and disassemble. Like Bob, I
would suggest a new O-ring may be the fix you require.

Not sure if Fernox LS-X would help in sealing the joint when reassembling?

[Bill]

In message <f97cf8db-c891-403a...@googlegroups.com>,
Giulio <dong...@gmail.com> writes

>I've never repaired an electric shower, what scares me is all that
>water so close to the electricity. That looks pretty dangerous to me.
>Though I've seen several electric showers working similarly, and I
>don't understand how these can be considered safe.
>
>Is there any security mechanisms in the electric showers that I might
>not be aware of?

We have just replaced my son's faulty electric shower. The original
installation had no RCD in the electrical supply.

One is now fitted. Having seen inside the shower, I think it's
essential.
--
Bill

[Bob Minchin]

The safety mechanisms are built in. 1 Pressure switch and 2 over
temperature switch.
Finally the house RCD should trip if the water leaks compromise the
electrics.

[Bob Minchin]

Fredxxx wrote:

>> My first thought which sounds condescending but not meant to be is "if
>> you have to ask then you possibly ought not to try to repair"
>> However trying to be constructive....
>
> That would make asking a question, and this group obsolete.
>

Not quite true - some jobs have particular hazards associated with them
and it is very difficult to judge when offering advice if the questioner
has general awareness or is largely fuelled by enthusiasm rather than skill.

After a few years of reading this group one can begin recognise some our
resident A-holes relatively easily! lol

I'm not suggesting the OP is one of those incidentally!

Bob

[Giulio]

Thank you all for the replies,

I've disassembled the electric shower, as I suspected the connector elbow looks like cracked, and the position of the crack corresponds to the sprinkle pattern. I've ordered the spare part from here:

http://www.showerspares.com/galaxy_shower_spares/galaxy_all/galaxy_aqua_3000_aqua_3000/galaxy_flow_valve_connector_pipe_elbow_sg08024/

I'll try replacing it. LS-X doesn't look like viable in this situation, given the type of damage and its position.

The o-rings look in good shape, so I think I'll be keeping the current ones, if I don't get new ones with the spare.

As suggested by Bob M. I see this work as a potentially hazardous, as I don't understand how the electrical part of the shower is made safe against water spillage.

The RCD imho isn't safe enough in a shower, as it switches only after a shock is taken. Ok it avoids prolonged electrocution, but still the electricity available at home is a lot and even a quick shock with all these ampere seems to me very painful and potentially deadly.

That's why I asked here if electric showers are something people can fix DIY or if it's always better to refer to an expert.

I'm somehow experienced in repairing electrical parts, and as a kid I took enough shocks to be extremely careful in these matters.

From the answers I am under the impression that people do fix these things, so I will give it a try.

After replacing the microwave grilling components, and the thermostat on the conventional electric oven, I'm starting to feel like a pro in fixing appliances. :) :)

I'll keep you posted.

thanks,

[meow...@care2.com]

On Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 1:44:35 PM UTC, Giulio wrote:

> Thank you all for the replies,
>
> I've disassembled the electric shower, as I suspected the connector elbow looks like cracked, and the position of the crack corresponds to the sprinkle pattern. I've ordered the spare part from here:

> As suggested by Bob M. I see this work as a potentially hazardous, as I don't understand how the electrical part of the shower is made safe against water spillage.
>
> The RCD imho isn't safe enough in a shower, as it switches only after a shock is taken. Ok it avoids prolonged electrocution, but still the electricity available at home is a lot and even a quick shock with all these ampere seems to me very painful and potentially deadly.

1. Earthing
2. Equipotential bonding in bathroom
3. RCD
4. Little electrical conduction of a rain of droplets

4 is demonstrated by the use of crude electrode showers, where people bang a nail into a hose, connect it to live and shower under it.

> That's why I asked here if electric showers are something people can fix DIY or if it's always better to refer to an expert.

much safer to diy imho - long as you're capable enough

> I'm somehow experienced in repairing electrical parts, and as a kid I took enough shocks to be extremely careful in these matters.
>
> From the answers I am under the impression that people do fix these things, so I will give it a try.
>
> After replacing the microwave grilling components, and the thermostat on the conventional electric oven, I'm starting to feel like a pro in fixing appliances. :) :)
>
> I'll keep you posted.
>
> thanks,

If we never hear from you again we'll know why :)


NT

[Giulio]

> much safer to diy imho - long as you're capable enough

LOL

[Fredxxx]

I would recommend against top posting as it offends a number here!

Like any hazardous situation, care and some understanding is required.

Personally I would only ever use one hand, and keep the other well away
from anything metallic in any situation that may possibly be live, in
the belief that it would reduce any electrical path across/through the body.

For info, the earth sleeving is black and not the usual green/yellow
variety.

I'm afraid the RCD is all you have for protection. 10mA ones are rare
if you want greater protection.

Despite this, there is an earth wire going to the shower heater.
Although the heater body may be plastic, it's likely the heating element
sheath is earthed, so the water being emitted from the shower is always
going to be close to earth potential.

[meow...@care2.com]

Well... heating elements split open at some point, passing power directly through the water. Hopefully there is an earthed collar around the water output. But even if the showerhead were fully live, standing under the stream would seldom result in shock, so theyre not as dangerous as might be imagined.

Top posting messes with the record of the discussion. Its not usually good practice.


NT

[Brian Gaff]

I'd hope there is or there would be a lot of dead people lying around!

Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Giulio" <dong...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f97cf8db-c891-403a...@googlegroups.com...

[Brian Gaff]

One word of warning of course is that any seals must be of the same type as
the originals, especially if they are where the heating element is.

Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active

"Bob Minchin" <bob.minc...@YOURHATntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:m9qsmv$kn8$1...@dont-email.me...

[John Rumm]

From the 17th edition on, a RCD protected feed is a requirement.
However it was not always so, and its possible to create a safe
installation without a RCD (although one is preferable)

--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[John Rumm]

On 22/01/2015 13:08, Bob Minchin wrote:
> Giulio wrote:

>> I've never repaired an electric shower, what scares me is all that
>> water so close to the electricity. That looks pretty dangerous to me.
>> Though I've seen several electric showers working similarly, and I
>> don't understand how these can be considered safe.
>>
>> Is there any security mechanisms in the electric showers that I might
>> not be aware of?

> The safety mechanisms are built in. 1 Pressure switch and 2 over
> temperature switch.
> Finally the house RCD should trip if the water leaks compromise the
> electrics.

First impressions tend to often not reflect the reality... Gut reaction
it to think "water and electricity in close proximity, can't be good".

However when you start trying to break down the actual shock risks
involved there are not many...

The casework it all insulating - even the chrome bits are usually just
chromed plastic. The metal pipe (if it has one and its real metal) tends
to be floating (electrically).

The conduction path to earth in the shower enclosure is probably not as
good as one might expect (insulating tray in most cases). Any extraneous
metalwork that could bring an earth potential into the room (taps, CH
pipes etc) will (if done correctly) be EQ bonded with the shower, or all
circuits protected by a RCD.

So the worst case is usually an insulation fault in the boiler chamber /
element could result in "live" water. Again RCD/ Conventional earthing
will disconnect the supply in short order in that case. Coupled with the
reality that clean water is not actually a very good conductor in the
first place.

I would suggest the biggest risk from most electrical showers (if you
exclude expiring from old age waiting for a good one) is a fire risk
from the cabling, since the very high currents involved can generate
lots of heat at any connection points.

[John Rumm]

On 22/01/2015 14:16, Fredxxx wrote:

> Personally I would only ever use one hand,

What are you doing in the shower? ;-)

> from anything metallic in any situation that may possibly be live, in
> the belief that it would reduce any electrical path across/through the
> body.

Good advice when poking about in the back of live TVs etc, but it ought
not be too difficult to prove a shower circuit is de-energised before
working on it!

> For info, the earth sleeving is black and not the usual green/yellow
> variety.

Indeed, and the cable clamp not on the right bit of the cable...

> I'm afraid the RCD is all you have for protection.

That is far from true. Plenty of showers out there without RCDs at all!

> 10mA ones are rare
> if you want greater protection.

It does not really make it any safer - remember RCDs do *not* limit the
magnitude of a shock - only its duration. So in a shock situation which
is going to pass 100mA through you, the trip rating of the RCD will have
no effect on the severity of the shock.

> Despite this, there is an earth wire going to the shower heater.
> Although the heater body may be plastic, it's likely the heating element
> sheath is earthed, so the water being emitted from the shower is always
> going to be close to earth potential.

Which under fault conditions could be a couple of hundred volts ;-)

(Although not for long)

[Syd Rumpo]

On 22/01/2015 18:01, John Rumm wrote:
> On 22/01/2015 14:16, Fredxxx wrote:

<snip>

>
>> Despite this, there is an earth wire going to the shower heater.
>> Although the heater body may be plastic, it's likely the heating element
>> sheath is earthed, so the water being emitted from the shower is always
>> going to be close to earth potential.
>
> Which under fault conditions could be a couple of hundred volts ;-)
>
> (Although not for long)
>
>

Just make sure the water has broken into droplets by the time it hits you.

Interesting thought - the water is live due to a fault but you're
showering unaware of this because the stream is broken into droplets.
You take the plastic shower head down in order to give the goolies a
quick rinse...

Cheers
--
Syd

[Rod Speed]

"Fredxxx" <fre...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:m9qqdf$cns$1...@dont-email.me...

> On 22/01/2015 11:50, Bob Minchin wrote:
>> Giulio wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> We stopped using our electric shower at home because it started
>>> leaking water from the wall mounted part of it.
>>>
>>> After opening it I've found that there's a leak somewhere, not far
>>> from the electric connections.
>>>
>>> I see the water sprinkling in the circled area in this image:
>>> http://i62.tinypic.com/240ype0.jpg
>>>
>>> The shower is a Galaxy Aqua 3000 10.5Kw.
>>>
>>> Do you think it's something that could be fixed? or should we look for
>>> a new electric shower all together?
>>>
>>>
>>> thanks,
>>>
>>> Giulio
>>>
>>
>> My first thought which sounds condescending but not meant to be is "if
>> you have to ask then you possibly ought not to try to repair"
>> However trying to be constructive....
>
> That would make asking a question, and this group obsolete.

No, most obviously with a question about how to get the
thing apart with stuff that isn't always obvious how to do that.

Or with a question about how long a particular approach will last etc.

[Tricky Dicky]

Mira showers tend to have a divided case so that the incoming mains connection and pipe work are physically seperated. As for melting connection points we had one of those when following a rush of blood we went down market and bought a Triton shower and this despite my usual tightening of screws till they scream. I suspect it was loose on the shower side of the connector which in hindsight I had not checked.

Richard

[John Rumm]

Having goolies at 240V only becomes a problem when you stick your foot
on something that's not ;-)

[Vir Campestris]

On 22/01/2015 13:08, Bob Minchin wrote:
>>

> The safety mechanisms are built in. 1 Pressure switch and 2 over
> temperature switch.
> Finally the house RCD should trip if the water leaks compromise the
> electrics.

That's assuming the house has an RCD.

ANdy

[meow...@care2.com]

lol. It would certainly wake you up. More seriously, stick with a plastic shower hose on electric showers. 240v through a metre or 2 of plastic pipe is way safer.


NT

[Giulio]

I've already received the spare part (wow that was quick). I assembled it in the shower and..... drum roll.

no leak any more... it works.

Thanks for the very useful help.

This guy here also helped me a lot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLdiGvZmyGo

[bestelectr...@gmail.com]

Taking a hot water shower after a long hectic day is not less than a blessing. Fortunately, in the UK, we have some best electric shower to intensifying bathing relaxation and showering experience. That’s why our expert team has researched and tried a lot of electrical power shower to find the best one.
https://theelectricshower.co.uk/

[Jim GM4DHJ ...]

On 10/06/2020 15:13, bestelectr...@gmail.com wrote:
> Taking a hot water shower after a long hectic day is not less than a blessing. Fortunately, in the UK, we have some best electric shower to intensifying bathing relaxation and showering experience. That’s why our expert team has researched and tried a lot of electrical power shower to find the best one.
> https://theelectricshower.co.uk/
>

better with a bath then a shower if you are not muslim .....

[tabb...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, 10 June 2020 15:14:03 UTC+1, bestelectr...@gmail.com wrote:
> Taking a hot water shower after a long hectic day is not less than a blessing. Fortunately, in the UK, we have some best electric shower to intensifying bathing relaxation and showering experience. That’s why our expert team has researched and tried a lot of electrical power shower to find the best one.

No it isn't.

[Brian Gaff (Sofa)]

I often think that spammers under invest in learning the language of their
market.
grin
Brian

--
----- --
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...
bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
<tabb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:96342c9b-0a29-4d33...@googlegroups.com...

[GB]

You're simply wrong. Showers are waaaaay better than baths, and
everybody knows that. Though not electric showers, as they only provide
a feeble drop of water.

What difference does it make if you're Muslim, by the way?

[Rod Speed]

"GB" <gbusenet...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:rbso1o$k2p$1...@dont-email.me...

> On 10/06/2020 15:18, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:
>> On 10/06/2020 15:13, bestelectr...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> Taking a hot water shower after a long hectic day is not less than a
>>> blessing. Fortunately, in the UK, we have some best electric shower to
>>> intensifying bathing relaxation and showering experience. That’s why our
>>> expert team has researched and tried a lot of electrical power shower to
>>> find the best one.
>>> https://theelectricshower.co.uk/
>>>
>> better with a bath then a shower if you are not muslim .....

> You're simply wrong. Showers are waaaaay better than baths, and everybody
> knows that.

Yep, havent had a bath for more than 60 years, showers are much better.

> Though not electric showers, as they only provide a feeble drop of water.

Yep.

[Peeler]

On Thu, 11 Jun 2020 19:42:19 +1000, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:

<FLUSH the trolling senile asshole's latest trollshit unread>

--
The Natural Philosopher about senile Rodent:
"Rod speed is not a Brexiteer. He is an Australian troll and arsehole."
Message-ID: <pu07vj$s5$2...@dont-email.me>