Electricity (safety) Regulations 2010
The electrical work for a ShowerPowerBooster is minimal.
The easiest option is to plug the transformer into a socket within 2 metres of the pump. If the socket is further away you can buy our 3 metre extension leads. The pump can be up to 12 metres away from the socket. If in a airing cupboard the plug is outside in another room just remove the plug, drill a 8mm hole, push the cable to the transformer through the wall, and even extend the 12 volt DC power supply up into the loft using our 3 metre extension leads if the pump needs to be in the loft.
All customers are deemed to be ‘competent’ to simply plug in the standard 3 pin plug we provide on the transformer we supply into an existing plug socket. You can put a switch on the 12 Volt DC cable from the transformer yourself as this is also safe, but if you need to do more than this the Electrical (safety) Regulations 2010 prescribe certain tasks that you can carry out in your own home provided:-
You have the necessary knowledge and skills.
The power is turned off.
You are not anywhere where conductors or terminals are live or could become live.
These are listed in regulation 64 of the Electricity (safety) Regulations 2010 and includes:
Fitting plugs, cord extension sockets or appliance connectors to a flexible cord.
Replacing switches, socket outlets, lamp holders, ceiling roses, water heater switches, thermostats and elements.
Repairing light fittings.
Moving, repairing or replacing flexible cords connected to permanently connected outlets or ceiling roses.
Disconnecting and reconnecting permanently wired appliances.
Moving switches, sockets and lighting outlets, but only if they are wired with tough plastic-sheathed cables.
Installing, extending, or altering any cables (except the main cables that come from the street to your switchboard). You have to get the finished job checked and tested by a licensed electrical inspector. You cannot connect your work to the electricity supply yourself. The inspector will connect it, test it, and issue you with a Certificate of Compliance (see below) if it complies with safety requirements.
Replacing fuse wires and fuse cartridges.
Repairing appliances.
The pumps themselves are 12 volt dc and fully waterproof (not just splash proof). This means they are perfectly safe if installed in a bathroom and even if thrown in the bath you will not be electrocuted (and the pumps will just keep running).
Power Usage
The shower power booster takes a maximum of 12.6 Watts and can therefore be powered off a lighting circuit or from a standard power circuit. When pumping against a closed valve this falls to 9.5 watts.
12 Volt Transformers
All Shower Power Boosters come complete with a 3.0 amp or 5.0 amp 12 volt transformer with a standard UK 3 pin fused plug, 1 metre of 240 volt cable, 1 metre of low voltage DC cable. It is possible to buy 3 metre long low voltage extensions leads from the showerpowerbooster.com web site and the cable can be extended to up to 12 metres if required.
Input voltage
Input voltage 100 volts to 240 volts 50/60 Hz
Connecting to The Mains
The pumps are designed to be left on in standby so the 3 pin plug can be left permanently live.
If you do not have an existing plug it is recommended that a spur is taken off an existing power or lighting circuit so that the transformer can be plugged in using the 3 pin plug.
Fully Automatic Pumps SP2B, SP22S, SP21S
These pumps are designed to automatically turn on and off when a tap is turned on or off so plug it in and forget it.
Standard Manual pumps SP1
These pumps need a manual switch which in its simples form is just plugging it in manually and removing the plug as required.
If you do not have an existing plug it is still recommended that a spur is taken off an existing power or lighting circuit so that the transformer can be plugged in using its own 3 pin plug.
For electric showers and combi boilers it can be wired in such a way that the pumps come on at the same time as the electric shower or combi boiler. For gravity showers they can be made to come on and off at the same time as the lighting.
The simplest solution is possibly plugging into an existing 3 pin plug and adding a switch that can be at shoulder height on the 12 volt low voltage side of the transformer (or a ceiling pull cord). 12 volt wiring can be undertaken safely by a DIY fitter and can be in areas such as shower rooms.
Click on the link below to see the latest ShowerPowerBooster 2021 Fitting Guide.
