HELP! Electric Shower Wiring Worries

[sullyfd3s]

Hi all,

I've just come across a problem in my bathroom. I have an electric shower with a pull cord switch to operate power to it. When I went to shower this evening, the poker unit came away from the ceiling, minor inconvenience i thought until closer inspection. I notice that two wires in and out of the unit are totally exposed on the 3 phase going in and out or it.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1746/21866865.jpg

Now the exposed wires are also touching the insulation when this unit is in the ceiling.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4413/39881847.jpg

It is a new house and only built about 2 years.

In the last day I also noticed the opposite side of the wall where there is an apparent leak somewhere in the attic where I can see the water stains.

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/8628/73992031.jpg

I have 3 questions,
1. How dangerous is it that the wires are exposed?
2. How bad is it that the exposed wires are touching the insualtion in the attic?
3. The effects of the leak next to this unit and what could happen.

I'm not going to use the shower while it is like it is, I need to talk to the developer and want an idea of an answer to my questions. It also begs wonder how the rest of the house is wired etc...

Thanks in advance for any advice / help!

Shane

[joed]

Please resize your images so they fit on a screen without scrolling. 800x600 is a good size.

[moto]

The bare wires would be the ground wires, so not a safety hazard.

The switch needs to be mounted to something more solid though. I would have expected it to be mounted on a metal box attached to the joists.

Where are you located? I've never seen or heard of an "electric shower" before.

[sullyfd3s]

Sorry Joed - fixed

moto, Thanks for your reply, ya it appears not to be fixed well at all, that will be sorted when its remounted.

I live in Ireland, very common over here, can be mains water straight into the unit or off a cold tank. The unit on the wall heats the water directly. Instant hot water, but can be heavy on electricity.