Bathroom zones washing machines

dokkan1080 · May 19, 2021

Are washing machine allowed in a bathroom if they are outside of zone 2 and go into a flex outlet thats fused outside the bathroom?

And for good measure its in a cabinet?

telectrix · May 19, 2021

not a problem as rar as i can see. you can wash your socks and feet at the same time.

Dartlec · May 19, 2021

The question would be which regulation would disallow them.

If outside of zone 2 then there is no specified requirement for IP rating (Do washing machines have one? I'd guess they are built to have some resistance to dampness at least given damp hands pressing buttons, etc?)

If there is no socket (or it was >3m from zones) then no issue there either. Flex outlets are commonly used for electric fan heaters on the wall in a bathroom....

Maybe an argument about the washing machine itself is 'suitable for influences' depending on whether it might get sprayed by shower etc.

It would need to be on an RCD of course, but so should all circuits in the bathroom....

The only concern I'd have might be issues with the machine itself being of poor construction, rusting etc and perhaps becoming a risk of shock. Not sure if bonding it would make things safer or less safe in that case...<discuss>

These days I'd probably want it on a type A RCD (or ideally it's own Type A RCBO circuit), but other than that I can't think of any other regulation that might cause an issue. If it's in a cupboard/cabinet then even less so tbh.

Dartlec · May 19, 2021

telectrix said:
not a problem as rar as i can see. you can wash your socks and feet at the same time.

Which are being washed in the machine in this scenario? ?

Welchyboy1 · May 20, 2021

washing machines are generally ipx4 rated so could actually be in zone 2 as long as spur supply is outside

pirate · May 21, 2021

It's commonplace in Spain. That doesn't mean it's a good idea, but I don't know how many deaths there have been from this custom. A pal has a tumble frier in his shower room...or maybe that's a shower in his utility room? Either way, he is happy to stick a big towel in the dryer while he showers, so he has a nice warm towel when he has completed his ablutions. (Wimp!)

Dartlec · May 21, 2021

pirate said:
It's commonplace in Spain. That doesn't mean it's a good idea, but I don't know how many deaths there have been from this custom. A pal has a tumble frier in his shower room...or maybe that's a shower in his utility room? Either way, he is happy to stick a big towel in the dryer while he showers, so he has a nice warm towel when he has completed his ablutions. (Wimp!)

Is this some new health food fad I've not heard of?