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Sauna outside

goldenboy1818

Hi guys another question. New clients want a 9kw outside sauna put in place.

Initially the wanted a single plase 10mm supply but now are suggesting we need to fit a 3 phase supply to the sauna. 3 x 16amp supply and 4mm 5 core swa.

Does anyone have any experience of this ? Can you get a 3 pause 16amp rcbo ? The board is 3 phase but we never fit 3 phase breakers as its just standard houses.

Also its a pme system do you think id need to add a earth rod for safety here, maybe just an additional rod alongside normal earth set up ?

Thanks guys 

  • 0 in reply to Simon Barker
    1. Not sure how I can achieve no rcd on this really , doesnt seem right 
  • 0 in reply to goldenboy1818

    how I can achieve no rcd

    SWA to the house, and then hard wired and obvious in the sauna room.. 

    Agree, seems a bit odd, but maybe they know their heaters are hygroscopic.

    If its a shed with an insulating floor , then a lot of the earthing concerns go away.
    If however the floor is cement or earth or something that gives a wet foot connection to terra-firma, then the earthing thing and the risk of tingles when stepping out onto the floor is going ot need consideration. (a PME earth may be a noticeable no of volts away from the garden terra-firma potential)

    M.,

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    Its still requires rcd for the other sauna circuits so may be a pain to do this

    Normally they are a all wooden building 

  • 0 in reply to goldenboy1818

    703.411.3.3 says it all.

  • 0

    I guess there will need to be lighting etc in the sauna "building" as well? - so would a local CU/DB make sense (with RCD for the lighting).

    Where's the 3-phase requirement come from? Most 2- or 3-phase heating appliances can be readily converted to single-phase use.

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    The manufacturer is suggesting that the 3 phase is the preferred option. Just not sure where I would site a local cu as its a small sauna 

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    They can be converted, but 3 phase will lead to some cancellation, rather than addition, of any element leakage to earth, and the currents are lower and cables are smaller for the same power levels. - there is presumably 16A free on each phase, perhaps finding  45A on any one phase would be harder.
    I know there seems to be some UK nervousness about using all 3 phases in a domestic setting,  but much of Germany has been doing it that way since before the war without significant problems.  Many are not obvious, being underground, but there are plenty of  overhead to the house 'Dachstanger' = roof post supplies  in use. It may be we worry too much.



    Mike

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    Yea I can take the swa directly into the 3 phase board so can get 3 phase out there ok, its just splitting it then to give some of it rcd protection (lights/fan/etc) and not the heater. Still doesnt sit that well with me no rcd protection 

  • 0

    The manufacturer

    Is this of the sauna heater or of the whole (shed) package?

    Just not sure where I would site a local cu as its a small sauna 

    Hopefully the overall designer has made some provision ... if not an IP rated CU on the outside of the shed somewhere might be an option.

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    The sauna heater guys are advising 3 phase and no rcd on the heater

    With a 3 phase supply i would have to have a 3 phase board and break it down and give some parts rcd protection, plus the rotary. A right pain really

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