Published: 14 July 2014
Category: Q&A
Ray Smith asks this question concerning bathroom lighting that dims when the electric shower is turned on, and the possible reason for this problem. It has been answered by the ECA (Theme - Installation Tips):
This Q & A is one of thousands posted in our Technical Expertise area, and answered on a daily basis by our Voltimum Experts.
Question: I've just finished an house extension for a customer who required a 9.5kW electric shower wired in 10mm and having a 40A circuit breaker, one ring main (11 doubles), two lighting circuits with approximately six lights on each, plus a smoke alarm.
I’ve installed a dual RCD mains board with a 63A 30 RCD feeding the above circuit's various MCBs.
However, when the electric shower is switched on, the lights dim until the shower is switched off.
Would it make a difference if bulbs were changed to low energy, or if I raised the RCD rating to 80A?
Answer: This could either be an incoming supply rating issue (too small).
Alternatively, this problem could be caused by a loose connection.
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