Removing Shower

[SC00BY]

Hi,
Can I remove my electric shower and replace the switch/supply with a plug socket?
thanks

[VHG]

You are not allowed a mains socket in the bathroom.

[Zacs-Master]

That's not strictly true. They can if they are 3m away from a bath or shower.

[SC00BY]

its the supply, its outside the bathroom.
The suply goes from the dist boarg to a fused unit, then out of that into the bathroom. (if you see what I mean!) i've removed the shower so can i now have a take off to a double socket?

[Zacs-Master]

So the socket is outside the bathroom?

[The Builder]

Do you mean the isolator switch for the shower is on the wall outside the bathroom?

[SC00BY]

Yeah. The isolator is outside the shower room. On the wall. Ive removed the outlet from the isolator to the shower. I want to run 2 double sockets off it.

[Zacs-Master]

Then, no problem. As long as the work is carried out to comply with part P of building regs and is certified.

[The Builder]

Yes, it just means you'll have a radial circuit instead of the usual ring circuit.

BUT ... the existing breaker/fuse in the Consumer unit (for the shower) must be replaced by a 16Amp or a 20Amp MCB. The present one will be anything from a 32 to a 45Amp.

[SC00BY]

Ok, next question. The shower room is upstairs, can I drop supply down through the floor? Then obviously into one socket, then spur off to the other?

[The Builder]

If you threw this question into a room full of electricians, you're likely to come up with fourteen different answers.

It wouldn't really be a spur... just an extension to a radial circuit. (You'll also get a whole bunch of arguments from electricians over that statement as well.)

Anyway, you're proposed set-up would comply providing the breaker is no more than 20A

Mmmm, the great, grey area of Certification and Notification.

Officially, you're not installing a new circuit.. so that's Ok. Also, you're not actually in a kitchen or bathroom .......

But, also officially, you aren't simply replacing a socket... you're introducing new ones, so it would be notifiable. That does mean that, by law, it should be done by a registered electrician.

[SC00BY]

A mine field!

Didn't see it as an extension of a radial.... but yes thats what it is. (its fr two rooms next to each other.

As you dont need a cert for a spur! I should be ok. Will change the MCB for a 16 A.

[The Builder]

On reflection, Scoobs, I don't think it is notifiable..........

http://www.niceic.com/Uploads/File1247.pdf

Adding sockets to an existing radial is not notifiable.
Since the breaker is being changed to a 16A, does that make it a new circuit/
I'm not even going to go there.

Even if it's all kosher to DIY, I must say one thing. Please make sure you're confident on how to do this. Yours, and your family's safety are far more important than legal niceties.