Bathroom zoning question

[Pauldicker]

Guys
Quick question regarding moving my bathroom pull cord to a switch.
I was measuring my bathroom zones as per 7671, and I would like to put a light switch 0.73m outside of zone 2, the problem is I could not see anything relating to a light switch in particular only a socket, And pull cord switches.
All the circuits are RCD protected.

 

[telectrix]

whilst it is good practice to fit a wall switch outside the bathroom,that far outside zone 2 might be acceptable.

 

[Pauldicker]

whilst it is good practice to fit a wall switch outside the bathroom,that far outside zone 2 might be acceptable.

Thanks, the main reason I did not want to fit outside the bathroom is I have two cheeky girls who would find it fun to turn off the light while someone is in there, and I would chuckle when the wife is in there.

 

[Andy78]

Thanks, the main reason I did not want to fit on outside is I have two check girls who would find it fun to turn off the light while someone is in there, and I would chuckle when the wife is in there.

That sounds reason enough to put it outside to me, you know, for a laugh.
Did you mean Czech girls or cheeky girls ? If you meant cheeky girls do you mean the cheeky girls ? and were the cheeky girls Czech ?

 

[westward10]

How high from the floor will it be.

 

[Pat H]

A plate switch is allowed outside the zones of a bathroom. A switch should be at least 0.6 m from the edge of the bath or shower (outside the zones) and must be suitable for the location. The cords of cord-operated switches are allowed in zones 1 and 2 and are recommended for bathrooms and shower rooms to account for the humidity and condensation that could occur.

So as long as its an appropriate Bathroom IP rated (IPX4) plate switch it can be just outside Zone 2 so 730mm is 130mm safely outside zone 2

 

[Pauldicker]

How high from the floor will it be.

It will be between 1.3 and 1.5m off the floor but not sure yet as I need to have 150 clearance from the towel radiator.

 

[Pauldicker]

A plate switch is allowed outside the zones of a bathroom. A switch should be at least 0.6 m from the edge of the bath or shower (outside the zones) and must be suitable for the location. The cords of cord-operated switches are allowed in zones 1 and 2 and are recommended for bathrooms and shower rooms to account for the humidity and condensation that could occur.

So as long as its an appropriate Bathroom IP rated plate switch it can be just outside Zone 2 so 730mm is 130mm safely outside zone 2

I did see the reference to a plate switch but presumed that related more towards a switch for an electric towel heater,
Yes your right it is over 1300 outside zone 1 and 730 outside zone two.

 

[telectrix]

put it outside.use a metal faceplate. connect L to the earth terminal. cheeky girls won't do it twice. ( joking btw).

 

[Pauldicker]

That sounds reason enough to put it outside to me, you know, for a laugh.
Did you mean Czech girls or cheeky girls ? If you meant cheeky girls do you mean the cheeky girls ? and were the cheeky girls Czech ?

Bloody typo's

 

[Pauldicker]

put it outside.use a metal faceplate. connect L to the earth terminal. cheeky girls won't do it twice. ( joking btw).

 

[westward10]

Are you intending to reuse the pull switch or are you using a plate switch, I ask because of the 1.5m.

 

[Andy78]

A plate switch is allowed outside the zones of a bathroom. A switch should be at least 0.6 m from the edge of the bath or shower (outside the zones) and must be suitable for the location. The cords of cord-operated switches are allowed in zones 1 and 2 and are recommended for bathrooms and shower rooms to account for the humidity and condensation that could occur.

So as long as its an appropriate Bathroom IP rated (IPX4) plate switch it can be just outside Zone 2 so 730mm is 130mm safely outside zone 2

There is no requirement for anything to be IPX4 outside the zones as far as I know.

 

[Pauldicker]

Are you intending to reuse the pull switch or are you using a plate switch, I ask because of the 1.5m.

No a plate switch I am not sure on the height yet all my others are at around 1.35m but I'm conscious of the clearance from my chrome radiator so may have to raise it slightly

 

[Pauldicker]

I might just put the L on the Earth and wait for the wife to switch it on.

 

[westward10]

There is no requirement for anything to be IPX4 outside the zones as far as I know.

No it only applies to zones 1 and 2 but outside the zones you have to take Reg 512.2 into consideration.

 

[Andy78]

No it only applies to zones 1 and 2 but outside the zones you have to take Reg 512.2 into consideration.

Yep I'm very aware of that, but no specific IP rating for outside zones is stipulated. IPX4 is suitable for splashes, but splashes are unlikely to be encountered outside the zones.
Collection of moisture through condensation is more likely the culprit 730mm outside of zone 2. Appx 5 defines this as code AD2 which is satisfied by IPX1 or IPX2.

 

[Pauldicker]

Yep I'm very aware of that, but no specific IP rating for outside zones is stipulated. IPX4 is suitable for splashes, but splashes are unlikely to be encountered outside the zones.
Collection of moisture through condensation is more likely the culprit 730mm outside of zone 2. Appx 5 defines this as code AD2 which is satisfied by IPX1 or IPX2.

So a plain whit Mk light switch will suffice. I don't fancy on of those outdoor grey switches.

 

[Pat H]

My worry is wet people with wet hands walking from the shower and switching the switch.
Granted you aren't in the bath or the shower but even so..
So pull cords are safer. Then again if the lighting is on an RCD your protected.

 

[Pauldicker]

My worry is wet people with wet hands walking from the shower and switching the switch.
Granted you aren't in the bath or the shower but even so..
So pull cords are safer. Then again if the lighting is on an RCD your protected.

I did consider that, however the wettest I think hands will be is damp.
So I'm not expecting water to be running off hands.

 

[westward10]

You can never guarantee that switch will not get splashed with water.

 

[Pat H]

Your in the shower in the evening and the light goes off (blown bulb maybe) the first thing somebody would do is get out and try the switch. Probably dripping wet. So it can happen so if a wall switch is a must then I'd have it RCD protected. which means at worst you get a little zap.

What about something like this:
Bathroom Sensor Switch | Tile Switch | Touch Switch PIR Movement Switch - http://www.sensor.co.uk/switches/bathroom_switch/

 

[sparksburnout]

That sounds reason enough to put it outside to me, you know, for a laugh.
Did you mean Czech girls or cheeky girls ? If you meant cheeky girls do you mean the cheeky girls ? and were the cheeky girls Czech ?

Czech girls what websites have you been visiting apart from this one then Andy?

 

[sparksburnout]

Your in the shower in the evening and the light goes off (blown bulb maybe) the first thing somebody would do is get out and try the switch. Probably dripping wet. So it can happen so if a wall switch is a must then I'd have it RCD protected. which means at worst you get a little zap.

What about something like this:
Bathroom Sensor Switch | Tile Switch | Touch Switch PIR Movement Switch - http://www.sensor.co.uk/switches/bathroom_switch/

It is bl^^^dy RCD protected, he said it was in the OP. I wish folks would read things......

 

[Pat H]

It is bl^^^dy RCD protected, he said it was in the OP. I wish folks would read things......

I didn't say it wasn't. I do think its safer to re-iterate RCD protection when talking about plate switches in bathrooms. You can't be sure the whole thread will be read in the future when another poster is searching for answers.

 

[westward10]

Never assume an rcd is God's gift for you not dropping dead from an electric shock.

 

[Pat H]

Never assume an rcd is God's gift for you not dropping dead from an electric shock.

Ah but touch it again and you may just be brought back.

 

[sparksburnout]

I think a switch would have to be absolutely drenched in water, dripping down it, in order to get a shock. That is obviously why the 0.6M distance is stipulated, so the shower head, for example, won't be directed at it. I don't think a person, however wet, would be in danger from operating the switch, personally.
I mean wet from the shower, not wet generally.

 

[westward10]

I think a switch would have to be absolutely drenched in water, dripping down it, in order to get a shock. That is obviously why the 0.6M distance is stipulated, so the shower head, for example, won't be directed at it. I don't think a person, however wet, would be in danger from operating the switch, personally.
I mean wet from the shower, not wet generally.

I agree but is the accessory going to be effected but water splashes, yes you can't guarantee it won't. My opinion is to put it outside the room or fit a pull switch.

 

[Andy78]

You can never guarantee that switch will not get splashed with water.

You could say exactly the same about any accessory above counter in a kitchen or in a downstairs WC with a basin.