One for you Sparkys

[Noberator]

In a toilet with a hand wash basin is it wrong to have a light switch in their not far from the wash basin ?

Should it be a pull switch or could the light switch be relocated outside of the toilet?


I'm thinking possibility of an electric shock.

[chippie]

Pull cord switch on the inside is the usual fitment.....
Without consult IEE regs, IIRC, there should be no electrical switch/socket within 3 (? Not sure about the distance) metres of any bath/sink/taps, except for the usual electrical outlet for razors which feature a double wound isolating transformer....

[natedog]

Any electrical item approved for use in a zone may be used in another zone with a higher number, but not in a lower number zone.

Zone 0 
Requires electrical products to low voltage (max. 12 volts) and be IPX7 (the mechanical protection is unimportant).

Zone 1
Requires electrical products to low voltage (max. 12 volts) and be IPX7 (the mechanical protection is unimportant).

Zone 2 
Requires electrical products to be IPX4 or better, or SELV with the transformer located in zone 3 or beyond.

Zone 3 
The regulations do not specify any IP number for zone 3, however reference should be made to the manufacturers data in case it indicates any exclusion. Portable electrical equipment is not permitted other than that using a SELV or shaver unit.

Beyond zone 3 
When the size of bathroom extends beyond zone 3, portable equipment is allowed, however they should be positioned such that that their flex length does not enable them to be used in any zone.


I think a "normal" light switch is ok beyond zone 3. Pull switch is better option though

[Deleted]

I thought modern electrical fuse boards now had a circuit trip protector fitted so that these hazards were now at least very minimal if not completely isolated ?

[natedog]

They have. Assuming it works, the shock you get from licking a live cable shouldn't be any worse than licking a battery like when you were a kid. Or a window if you're from Birmingham. This is how come you are now allowed a normal 13A socket in a bathroom, providing certain conditions are met

[brman]

Oct 28, 2014 21:42:51 GMT 1 natedog said:

They have. Assuming it works, the shock you get from licking a live cable shouldn't be any worse than licking a battery like when you were a kid. Or a window if you're from Birmingham. This is how come you are now allowed a normal 13A socket in a bathroom, providing certain conditions are met

Yikes, don't try that!

I am a sparky so, although this an old thread, I thought I would correct a little mis-understanding

The RCD does not in anyway limit the voltage or current drawn. Volts are what makes it hurt, current is what kills and it isn't protecting you from any of that so it will still f&*ing hurt across your tongue!
What the RCD does is limit the time the voltage will be there and the current will flow. So it is less likely to kill you but it will still hurt as much, just not for as long

As to the orginal question, you can have a socket in a bathroom as long as it is 3m away from the boundary of zone 1. This regulation isn't for your average sized bathroom, it is covers things like walk in showers in the corner of a bedroom where the whole bedroom classes as a bathroom.
In a bathroom a switch can be used as long as it outside the zones. Zones are now defined differently to that drawing but lets not worry about that.


To cap it all, a toilet is not a bathroom so doesn't have to meet any of these regulations! Sounds stupid but there you go. However there is a cover-all regulation though that does apply - "all electrical equipment must be suitable for the enviroment in which it is installed". So, putting the switch right next to the wash basin would not meet this reg unless it is a waterproof one. Trouble is, where is safe is down to opinion......