6mm core getting hot

[Patty]

Hi,

The 6MM core running from may shower to fuse box is getting hot and smelling pretty bad when I shower.

The cable has been installed since I moved in over 10 years ago.

I replaced the shower which was 8.5 KW so I assume that the 6MM was fine and didn't need replacing.

I assume the cable has been installed over 15 years ago.

Could this be the age of the cable or simply the shower when turned up causing this.

I have a 30amp fuse in the distribution box.

any help appreciated.

Regards Patty

[ARWadsworth]

Get the connections checked at the pull/wall switch and at the shower and at the fuse box. The bad smell (like fish?) is probably a result of a loose contact that results in burning the cable. A 30 amp supply for a 6mm cable is usually adaquate. Installation methods and voltage drop need to be accounted for though. It is worth remembering that cables do get warm when fully loaded but I am concerned about hot.

Adam

[Patty]

Many thanks Adam.

I have traced the cable and the Combi boiler is feeding of this cable via a box on the wall.

so basically 6mm cable is cut feeds into a box and the combi boiler is using this feed. | | off to Combi [ ] ------------------- | | 6mm

I think the Wiring into the box may be lose or the box basically old and burnt.

Looks a bit of a botched job but it was here before I moved in.

Can't get to it easily and without light.

will replace the box and see if that helps.

[fred]

In article , ARWadsworth writes

Is it really ok to have a 35A load on a 30A fuse? I know it'll only be a light duty cycle but thought it might overheat the fuseholder.

[SM]

It could be the cable breaking down or the connector.

Is 6mm OK for a 8.5 Kw??

I had a fishy smell in my bedroom???? couldn't trace it to anything, had the carpet up & everything, then suddenly I had the main light on and the smell was there and immediatley realised that was the problem, the fiitting had broken down, only a few years old aswell.

Hope this helps

SM

[ARWadsworth]

Sorry for the delay. Blueyonder have not done newsgroups this weekend.

Well spotted about the 35 amp load, I misssed that. A 30 amp fuse will not blow at 35 amps for a long time (if at all), but the fuseholder will not overheat. It is still not good practice. Depending upon the installation method a 40 amp fuse may be used.

Adam

[Gil]

If the cable run is long you may be getting in to trouble - modern good practice recommends 10mm cable and 16mm if the cable run is over 20 metres. If you have an older fuse box with a cartridge fuse recommendation is 8kw max.