Those of you who use sparkies on your electric shower swaps

[WaterTight]

Do you find it a bit of a merry-go-round ballache?

I've been turning them down since word dot because the only way I can imagine doing it is...

spark visits, removes old cable and makes safe.
you visit to fit new shower and connect cold in
he visits again to connect cable and test.

Whereas a part p plumber or plumbing spark would make one visit and be done in no time for a cheaper price.

 

[jase158]

Recommend a shower that is same power, water connection on same side, half hour later your done!!

 

[jase158]

You don't need to be qualified for like for like, imagine the amount of work you would be turning down!! Valves, showers, boilers, macerators, insinkerators etc etc

 

[WaterTight]

You don't need to be qualified for like for like, imagine the amount of work you would be turning down!! Valves, showers, boilers, macerators, insinkerators etc etc

really?
also, i need to get me an insinkerator. i've no idea what it does but it sounds damned sexy

 

[jase158]

Yeah check the regs!!

 

[Howsie]

really?
also, i need to get me an insinkerator. i've no idea what it does but it sounds damned sexy

They are a PITA.

 

[WaterTight]

if i don't need to be qualified for a like for like elec shower swap - where might i find a comprehensive guide to the proceedure and testing equipment needed? to do it 100% safe and by the book...

 

[jase158]

When you see one, put your finger in it or wash your hands with it!! Depending on which one you get!!

 

[jase158]

Testing? The regs say like for like is fine, doesn't say anything about testing!!

 

[WaterTight]

i meant turning off the power. testing it's off. connecting the cable. testing it's working. that sort of testing. not testing testing. just testing.

 

[WaterTight]

i need an idiots guide. the kind written for someone with no pre-existing practical knowledge in a certain area.

 

[WaterTight]

the type of person you couldn't trust to sit the right way round on a toilet

 

[jase158]

Hmm, I would like to retract everything I have said so far, on the grounds that the regs changed in April and I am not sure what the new regs are (bit more research needed)

 

[Barry98]

Do the part p

 

[WaterTight]

not sure i can justify 2.5k for elec shower swaps and pump swaps.

 

[jase158]

Can't remember who it is by by but you need a multimeter and there is a book how to use one, I bought a basic tester from maplin yesterday that flashes when power is connected. Most showers have a light these days to tell you it is connected and if you turn isolator off the shower shouldn't turn off. Few things to remember. 1. All showers should have isolators for power. 2. You need like for like power 3. 10mm cable. 4. 40amp circuit breaker. If you have all these then no sparkle required.

 

[Linkyplumb]

Exacty for this reason, I went back to college over a six month period to get 17th and test and inspect quals.
Fed up with sparks letting me down at the last minute.
Can now do the normal shower type stuff, that we encounter as plumbs and heat guys, but can also do full rewires and board changes.

Well worth it in my opinion.

 

[jase158]

Part p is cheaper then 2.5k. Should be able to do it for 1000 maximum

 

[WaterTight]

if you're gas safe and also do large jobs regularly it's no doubt worth it. but for a guy like me who does almost all small jobs it's prob too difficult to justify the cash. i'd have to about 35 shower swaps before i paid for the course.

love love LOVE the idea of doing a course though.

 

[WaterTight]

i read it's 800 quid if you have some experience or 2.5k for a 3 week course to get part p if you've no elec experience.

 

[jase158]

Become best friends with a sparkie, do a skill swap!!

 

[WaterTight]

I don't do friends.

 

[WaterTight]

Otherwise, great idea.

 

[cr0ft]

if i don't need to be qualified for a like for like elec shower swap - where might i find a comprehensive guide to the proceedure and testing equipment needed? to do it 100% safe and by the book...

Wiring Regulations Bookshop - Everything An Electrician Needs - 9781849192750 – Guidance Note 3: Inspection and Testing, 6th Edition/

 

[cr0ft]

And any 17th Edition Test Meter will do the job.