elec shower/ main fuse

dubdad

am getting an electric shower in 9.0-9.5kW
have and old 'fuseboard' and i want to get this upgraded at the same time, to a new rcd/mcb type consumer board . just browsing the litreture for the showers and most installers recommend having a 80a main fuse to the consumer unit.
i realise uk is 240v and we are 230v so does this mean that the standard esb fuse of 63a(?) is sufficient.
i heard that a fuse upgrade costs about 150euro is this accurate

also some advice on the size of consumer unit to get, 3-bed semi, but i also want to build a small extension in a couple years and also get power into the garage

lastly i was advised to ask the sparks to put in an rcbo instead of an rcd/mcb for the shower circuit because they give better protection but may cost a little more?

2011

First of all I would suggest that you employ the services of a registered electrical contractor and take his/her advice (BTW I am not one).
Based on what you have said and without seeing your house here are my thoughts:

have and old 'fuseboard' and i want to get this upgraded at the same time,

For domestic the norm is a 63A main fuse. This is suitable for an instantaneous shower such as the one you described.

i heard that a fuse upgrade costs about 150euro is this accurate

The upgrade of the existing fuseboard normally means that the existing board will be replaced with a new board containing MCBs, RCDs etc. This unit would also include a new main fuse. Expect to pay more than €150 (in total) for the new board to be supplied and fitted.

also some advice on the size of consumer unit to get, 3-bed semi

A 2 x 12 mod board should be plenty. Good to see someone thinking ahead.

M cebee

you may have 10sq tails if it's a DZ board-these will need 'upping' to 16sq -
if that's the case

you'll need a 'registered contractor' anyhow -could be a bit of work involved to do it right


there are guidelines in the back of the rules(page 328) for fuseboard upgrade