Beatrice Lang
Electric showers are convenient because they can be installed in any type of water system and only require a cold water supply. However, they may not always deliver the desired water pressure. If you're looking to replace your electric shower with a mains mixer, you'll need to disconnect the power supply from your fuse board with the help of an electrician. You can use the existing cold water supply, but you'll need to run a hot water supply to the shower, which can be done under the floor or in the loft. It's important to note that you'll need to check if your mains pressure is sufficient and ensure that your plumbing system can support a mains mixer.
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What You'll Learn
Disconnect the power supply
Disconnecting the power supply is a crucial step when converting an electric shower to mains. Here are the detailed steps and considerations for this process:
First and foremost, safety should be the top priority. Before beginning any work on disconnecting the power supply, ensure that the electricity supply to the shower is turned off at the fuse board. This is essential to prevent any electrical hazards or accidents.
Next, identify the power cable that supplies electricity to the electric shower. This cable is typically connected to the fuse board and runs to the shower unit. It is important to trace this cable carefully to avoid any mistakes. Once the cable is located, safely disconnect it from the fuse board. This step may require the expertise of a qualified electrician, as they can ensure a proper and safe disconnection.
In some cases, the power cable may be hidden behind walls or tiles. If this is the case, carefully remove any obstructions, such as tiles or wall coverings, to access the cable. It is important to work cautiously and avoid damaging any surrounding structures or pipes.
After disconnecting the power cable, it is crucial to properly label and cap the wires. This will prevent any accidental reconnections or short circuits. Ensure that you follow standard wiring colour codes when capping the wires to avoid confusion during future maintenance or modifications.
Finally, verify that the power supply to the shower is completely disconnected by using a voltage tester or similar tool. This step is important to ensure that there is no residual electricity flowing to the shower unit, ensuring a safe working environment for any further installation or modification work.
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Run a hot supply
To convert an electric shower to mains, you will need to run a hot water supply to the shower. This will involve some plumbing work and possibly some electrical work as well. Here are the steps you can follow to run a hot supply:
First, you need to decide where the hot water will come from. If you have a combi boiler, you can use it to supply hot water to the shower. If you don't have a combi boiler, you will need to install a hot water cylinder, either open-vented or sealed. This will require some plumbing work and may involve adding a tank in your loft if you have low water pressure.
Next, you will need to plan the route for the hot water pipes. The hot water supply can be connected to the shower either under the floor or in the loft, coming down. Make sure to measure and plan the route carefully, taking into account any obstacles that may be in the way.
After you have planned the route, you can start installing the hot water pipes. Cut the pipes to the appropriate length and use the correct fittings to join them together. Ensure that any soldering or gluing is done correctly and securely.
Once the pipes are installed, you will need to connect them to the shower. Turn off the water supply and carefully make the necessary connections to the shower unit, following the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to check for any leaks once the water supply is turned back on.
Finally, you may need to adjust the water pressure to ensure that the hot and cold water pressures are roughly the same. This is important to prevent the cold water from overpowering the hot water and resulting in a lukewarm shower. You may need to install a pressure-balancing valve or make adjustments to the existing plumbing system.
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Check water pressure
Before converting an electric shower to mains, it is important to check the water pressure to ensure that it is sufficient. A minimum running pressure of 1 bar is required at the mains entry to operate an electric shower system effectively. The water flow rate should be at least 8 litres per minute, and the maximum static pressure should not be more than 10 bars.
If the mains water pressure is insufficient, there are a few options to boost the water pressure. One option is to install a pump to increase the water pressure. For example, a Triton T450i single impeller pump can be used to supply water to most electric showers. Another option is to install an integral pumped shower, such as the T90xr, although these are not suitable for a 10.5kw or thermostatic unit. It is important to note that pumped showers must be fed from a cold water cistern and should not be connected directly to the mains cold water supply.
Another way to increase water pressure is to choose a more powerful combi boiler with a higher flow rate. The flow rate refers to the amount of water that can pass through the boiler to feed taps and showers. A higher flow rate will result in higher water pressure. However, it is important to ensure that the mains pressure delivered to the property can support the boiler's maximum flow rate, or else the boiler may not perform optimally.
Additionally, when choosing an electric shower, consider its kilowatt rating. Generally, a higher kilowatt rating will result in a stronger water flow, assuming that the mains pressure is sufficient.
Finally, if you are unable or unwilling to replace your boiler or shower, you can boost the pressure of your electric shower by installing a Shower Power Booster. This involves cutting the water pipe and inserting the pump, and it can be done as a DIY project without the need for an electrician.
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Hire a qualified electrician
If you're considering converting an electric shower to mains, it's important to hire a qualified electrician to ensure the job is done safely and effectively. Electric showers can be replaced with a thermostatic mixer shower, which will provide a more powerful shower experience. This is a more complex process than simply replacing the electric shower with another electric one, and it requires handling electricity and water, which can be dangerous if not done correctly.
A qualified electrician will be able to safely disconnect the power supply from your fuse board and ensure that the hot and cold water supplies are correctly configured. They will also be able to advise on any additional work that may be required, such as running a hot water supply to the shower or installing a pump to improve water pressure.
If you have a combi boiler, it is important to note that a shower mixer valve designed for use with a combi boiler should be sufficient unless the mains pressure is exceptionally low. In this case, it may be necessary to install a pump, but this must feed from a tank as it is against water regulations to fit a pump directly to the mains water supply.
Converting an electric shower to mains may also require some tiling work, especially if you are relocating the shower unit or installing a new one. A qualified electrician will be able to advise on any necessary preparations, such as drilling and sawing holes for electrical and water pipe access. They can also ensure that the shower unit is securely installed and that all connections are safe.
It is always recommended to seek professional assistance when dealing with electrical work, especially in an environment where water is also present. By hiring a qualified electrician, you can ensure that your electric shower is safely converted to mains, providing you with a more powerful and enjoyable showering experience.
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Prepare the shower unit
If you are replacing an old shower unit, make sure it is fully removed. Ensure that the fuse for the electric shower is off to avoid any accidents. You should also isolate the water supply to the shower by turning the isolation valve. If you are installing a new shower, ensure that any pipes do not contain water and that any electrical wires are not live.
Now, locate an appropriate access point for water and electricity connections on the wall where you plan to install the shower. Unscrew your new shower and hold the back unit against the wall, covering the electric cables and water pipe. While holding the back unit in place, loosely connect the shower unit to the water supply pipe to ensure it fits and covers any holes. Drill the holes for the screws and wall plugs, and push the wall plugs into the holes.
Feed the pipe and electric cable through the correct holes in the casing of your shower unit. Screw the unit into the wall plugs, ensuring it is tight and secure. Connect the water inlet pipe to the pipe connection in your unit using a pipe wrench.
If you are installing from scratch, you will need to drill and saw a hole for access to the electrical and water pipe. Cut any new wires to size, removing the plastic outer layer to access the three wires within: brown (live wire), green (earth wire), and blue (neutral wire).
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to replace your electric shower with a thermostatic mixer shower. This will require safely disconnecting the power supply from your fuse board and running a hot supply to the shower, in addition to the cold supply.
You will need to replace your electric shower with a power shower. A combi boiler runs from the mains, so a shower mixer valve designed for use with a combi should work, unless the mains pressure is exceptionally low.
A mixer shower will be a lot more powerful than an electric shower. It will also be cheaper to run and give you a better shower experience.
You will need to ensure that your plumbing system can support a mixer shower. The hot and cold water pressure should be almost the same, otherwise, you may end up with lukewarm showers. Additionally, if your wall has tiles, you may need to retile certain areas.
Replacing an electric shower with a mixer shower is generally not a difficult job, especially if you have a combi boiler. However, it is important to note that you will need to safely disconnect the power supply and ensure that you have both hot and cold water supplies for the mixer shower.
