How Does an Electric Shower Work

The electric shower works by the same concept as any other appliance that gets hot during usage.

A concealed heating element powered by electricity continuously heats cold water to the desired temperature for showering.

The heating element in an electric shower has a moderate resistance, which makes it possible for it to get really hot when electricity moves through it. So, basically, cold water flows into the shower unit at a high pressure of at least 1.0 bar/1.5 bar and picks up heat past the element then it heads out through the nozzle and all the way to the showerhead.

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How It works

You probably are wondering how it is possible for all this to happen without an electric shock. Well, if the wiring is done correctly, there is no way you are going to risk an electric shock when using an electric shower. This is because the electric current that is responsible for heating the water is passing through a concealed heating element. As such, the water does not get into direct contact with the electric current.

Temperature Control

An electric shower allows you to vary the temperature of the water coming out through the shower head by the press of a button or adjusting a knob. This is because it comes fitted with thermostats and flow sensors that regulate the temperature of the water. Apart from that, other electric showers have built-in mixing tanks that help regulate the temperature of the water for your convenience. Depending on the time of the year, the thermostats in the electric showers could be less effective in controlling the temperature of the water. For instance, you cannot expect the water temperature of the shower during the summer to feel the same way it felt on a winter season.

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In a nutshell, cold water flows into a shower unit with a lot of pressure when you press the ON button. This water enters a small reservoir inside the unit where it is heated by the powerful heating elements. Once heated, the water meets with cold water in a thermostatic valve where it is adjusted to the temperature you selected using the temperature dial on the shower unit. There is a pressure flow sensor inside the unit’s output pipe, which triggers the circuit to switch off the shower in case the pressure is too low. This mechanism, together with the thermal cut-out function ensures that hot water pumps out through the shower head just the way you like it.

If you feel like you know enough about how electric showers work now and want to find out which is the best on the market, we also have you covered. Check out this article we wrote for you on the best electric showers.