Electric Showers: What the Electrician Needs to Know

Electric showers draw a lot of power – often 8.5kW to 10.5kW or more – so they need their own dedicated circuit with a suitably sized cable and protection. They're among the largest single loads in most homes.

Swapping, say, an 8.5kW shower for a 10.5kW one isn't always like for like. The existing cable and protection may not be rated for the higher load, and the consumer unit or even the supply may need checking. An electrician should confirm before you buy.

Electric showers have a double-pole isolator – usually a ceiling pull cord in the bathroom or a switch outside it – so the shower can be fully switched off. The circuit needs RCD protection, and the work is notifiable in England and Wales.