Redring Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-
Accessory Kit
The accessory kit that comes complete with the shower usually comprises of: Handset Riser rail and brackets Handset holder Shower hose Hose retaining ring
Back to top -
Amp
Short for "ampere" - this measures the amount of electricity moving through a wire. A unit measure for the flow (current) of electricity.
Back to top -
Audible Controls
The control makes a sound when operated to confirm it has been made.
Back to top -
Bar
A unit of water pressure - equivalent to a head of water 10.2metres high or 14.5 lbf / in² (P.S.I.) or 100 kPa.
Back to top -
BEAB
British Electrotechnical Approvals Board. The organization that is responsible for carrying out a safety assessment to a relevant British Standard.
Back to top -
Cold Mains Water Supply
The cold water feed that comes into the house via rising main.
Back to top -
Combi Boiler
Boiler providing hot water for space heating and also direct hot water. Heats hot water directly when required. Usually consists of a boiler attached to a wall, often in the kitchen.
Back to top -
Combination Boiler Plumbing System
(High pressure system) These systems heat your water as it is used. There is no requirement for water to be stored in a cylinder.
Back to top
-
Compression Fitting
A traditional water connection provide by crushing a ring of copper or brass known as an olive onto a water pipe thereby providing a seal. Requires spanners to make connection.
Back to top -
Cut-Out
Device designed to limit temperature to a set level.
Back to top -
Digital Mixer Shower
Digital mixer showers allow the mixing unit and user controls to be sited separately using a wireless connection. The mixing unit is available in two models: a pumped shower version for boosting gravity fed systems or a mixer valve unit for use with high pressure and combi systems.
Back to top -
Easy Fit Connection
A means of connecting a water pipe without spanners just push the pipe in and the connection is made.
Back to top -
Electric Shower
An instantaneous electric shower draws water directly from a cold water supply and heats it as it is used. You do not need a stored hot water supply for this type of shower.
Back to top -
Facia
The front cover of the shower.
Back to top -
Flow
The amount of water that flows in a given time, usually quoted in Litres / minute.
Back to top -
Flow Controls
Buttons / knobs used to control the amount of water flowing through the unit.
Back to top -
Fuse
A device designed to provide protection for a given circuit or device by physically opening the circuit. Fuses are rated by their amperage and are designed to blow or open when the current being drawn through it exceeds its design rating.
Back to top -
Gravity System
A system that is fed by means of a header tank only. Not connected directly to the mains cold supply. A cold water tank usually located in the roof space, and a hot water cylinder, frequently in the airing cupboard.
Back to top
-
Handset
Shower head - a device designed to produce a spray pattern from the shower.
Back to top -
Handset Holder
A device that is fixed to the riser rail and holds the shower head. It also allows angular adjustment of the shower head.
Back to top -
Head of Water
Term used to describe how high a stored tank of water is mounted. Is normally measured from base of tank to the point of use.
Back to top -
Header Tank
Small open tank of water that provides gravity feed of water to a hot water cylinder.
Back to top -
Heat Exchanger
Used to transfer heat to water. Cold water in hot water out.
Back to top -
IEE Wiring Regulations
The rules for electrical installations. The latest edition of BS:7671 Requirements for Electrical Installation (IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition) was published in January 2008. Qualified electricians work to these guidelines.
Back to top -
Instantaneous Electric Shower
An instantaneous electric shower draws water directly from a cold water supply and heats it as it is used. You do not need a stored hot water supply for this type of shower.
Back to top -
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of power equal to 1000 watts. A unit of measure of the amount of electricity needed to operate electrical equipment.
Back to top -
Kilowatt hour (kWh)
1kWh is 1000w energy used over a period of 1 hour. The unit you pay for on your electricity bill.
Back to top -
kPa
Kilopascal; a metric measure of pressure based on force per unit area. (1 kPa = 4.01 inches of water). It is the metric equivalent to PSI (Pounds per square inch).
Back to top -
lbf/in²
Old imperial unit of pressure. Pound force per square inch.
Back to top -
Lime Scale
Created as a result of heating water, the impurities are deposited on the inside of tanks and elements and showerheads. The higher the temperature the more is produced. Dependent on water hardness (how pure the water is). Will affect performance if allowed to build up.
Back to top -
Mains fed system (Unvented hot water system)
A high-pressure cylinder of water, heated by a boiler or immersion heater, usually providing high volumes of water.
Back to top
-
Manual reset cut out
Device designed to provide protection to a heating circuit once operated can be reset by pushing a button on the top of it.
Back to top -
Manual Temperature Control
Manually adjustable temperature control.
Back to top -
MCB
Miniature Circuit Breaker is an automatically-operated electric switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit
Back to top -
Mixer Shower
A shower using a valve to combine / mix the domestic hot and cold water supplies to provide the required temperature and flow.
Back to top -
One shot cut out
Device designed to provide protection to a heating circuit once operated needs to be replaced.
Back to top -
Phased Shutdown
Switches power off to the heating elements and allows water to carry on flowing for a short period of time. This allows the residual hot water to be flushed from the unit, ensuring a cool start for the next user. Provides safety to the user.
Back to top -
Power Select
Allows the power level to be changed higher or lower.
Back to top -
Power Shower
A shower that uses a pump to boost the flow of water to give a powerful shower spray. Generally used where there is insufficient water pressure on gravity fed water supplies.
Back to top -
Pressure Relief Valve
A device that is designed to prevent excessive pressures building up inside a product due to a blockage. Needs replacing once operated.
Back to top -
Pressurised
When something is raised to a higher pressure than normal
Back to top -
PSI
Old imperial measurement of pressure – Pounds per Square Inch.
Back to top -
Pump
A device that creates a flow of water. Resistance to this flow create pressure.
Back to top -
RCD
Residual Current Device detects an imbalance between Live and Neutral and switches off electricity. Provides safety to user. Use to be known as ELCBs Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers.
Back to top -
Riser Rail
A vertical rail assembly, fixed to the wall, to allow height adjustment of the shower head.
Back to top -
Rotary Controls
Round dial that is turned to control the function. E.g. temperature rotary control – controls the temperature with a round turn dial.
Back to top -
Shower Hose
Is the connection from the shower to the handset – Water flows through the hose and out of the handset to provide the shower spray.
Back to top -
Solenoid valve
A tap that opens and closes by electricity.
Back to top -
Spray Mode
The number of different sprays patterns the handset has to offer. E.g. 6 Spray mode = 6 available spray patterns of water that handset has to offer.
Back to top -
Temperature Stabilized
The shower auto corrects the flow of water across a range of incoming pressures thereby maintaining a stabile temperature, and provides safety to the user.
Back to top -
Thermostatic
A system that contains a device that regulates and maintains a set temperature. Provides safety to the user.
Back to top -
Thermostatic Mixing Valve
A mixing valve that mixes hot and cold water and compensates for variations in temperature and/or pressure of the incoming water supplies, to maintain a set temperature blend.
Back to top -
Thermostatic Temperature Control
Automatically maintains selected temperature.
Back to top -
Water Pressure
The force of the water available in a water supply system.
Back to top -
WRAS
Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (UK)
Back to top
