Lightswitch in toilet

colshaws · Oct 23, 2011

Hi all,
Have been to a house to assess for a board change, two things I am unsure of. 1 there is a socket in the loft connected to the lighting circuit which I have recomended it be removed, am I correct. 2 the wall mounted light switch in the downstairs toilet is situated about 2 feet above the hand basin, do the same regs that apply to bathroom switch's also apply to toilet/cloakrooms and if so what would you recomend and note on the installation cert.
Many thanks

i=p/u · Oct 23, 2011

well you could put a ticker onto the socket in attic saying for areiel amp only or even put 3A fused spur in before it, the light switch cant be helped if is small bathroom maybe a code 4 but il stand yo be corrected

yellowvanman · Oct 23, 2011

No problems with both observations.

Restrictions on light switches etc is only in bathrooms and rooms with a shower!

Deleted member 19807 · Oct 23, 2011

I agree with yellow, nothing wrong with either as per the regs.

Paul.M · Oct 23, 2011

Nothing wrong with a socket in the loft long as it states on the socket 'tv amp only' (as per IPU), or fuse down to 3A or change it to a round 3 pin plug socket.

Deleted member 19807 · Oct 23, 2011

paul.m said:
Nothing wrong with a socket in the loft long as it states on the socket 'tv amp only' (as per IPU), or fuse down to 3A or change it to a round 3 pin plug socket.

can you point me to the reg that says it has to be labled please.

cheers

Paul.M · Oct 23, 2011

hifly said:
can you point me to the reg that says it has to be labled please.

cheers

In this case if a skt in the loft is being fed from a 1mm or 1.5mm cable a normal plug skt can be used only if indicated of its use. Reg 514.1.1 "except where there is no possibility of confusion, a label or other suitable means of identifications shall be provided to indicate the purpose of each switchgear and controlgear." Ie a socket rated at 13A on a supply cable being protected by a 6A mcb. If the home owner plugs in a 3Kw heater into it, what will be the result?

Normal plug = put up a notice "tv amp only/max 3A).

Rounded 3 pin plug = you/they can only plug in a 5A max plug.

Paul.M · Oct 23, 2011

WWaWaiWait a minute, round 3 pin plugs, are they 3A or 5A max? Can't remember, I've been working all weekend and the Stella is now kicking in

.

telectrix · Oct 23, 2011

generally 5A as far as i know. that's the small ones. the big buggers are 15A. just like my gran's house.

Paul.M · Oct 23, 2011

Ok its official, Stella dose not effect long term memory. I thought it was 5A honest

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needasparks · Oct 23, 2011

can't see people getting confused with its use, how offen does a hoover or the like get used in the loft. at the most it would be a leadlight.

Jimmyb · Oct 23, 2011

you are only changing the board just make a note of the issues on the cerftificate if the client doesnt want to do anything about them as you are only to make sure your work is upto current regs. tbh i would be fine with the socket (if labelled) & switch and wouldnt note it.

telectrix · Oct 23, 2011

there is however , a serious safety issue here. imagine the scenario of an elderly lady, say 76-80 years of age, doing a bit of arc welding in her attic. when the 6A MCB tripped, she would have no lights and might fall down the loft hatch in:6: the dark. something about division of circuits? the socket should be on a dedicated 40Acircuit.:56:

Paul.M · Oct 23, 2011

telectrix said:
there is however , a serious safety issue here. imagine the scenario of an elderly lady, say 76-80 years of age, doing a bit of arc welding in her attic. when the 6A MCB tripped, she would have no lights and might fall down the loft hatch in:6: the dark. something about division of circuits? the socket should be on a dedicated 40Acircuit.:56:

You must know my mother in-law

.

cjp1 · Oct 23, 2011

telectrix said:
there is however , a serious safety issue here. imagine the scenario of an elderly lady, say 76-80 years of age, doing a bit of arc welding in her attic. when the 6A MCB tripped, she would have no lights and might fall down the loft hatch in:6: the dark. something about division of circuits? the socket should be on a dedicated 40Acircuit.:56:

Quality!!!

TPES · Oct 23, 2011

If you've been asked to asses for a board change in a house then a socket in a loft or a switch in a toilet should not effect you changing a CU. I would certainly write on the EIC that a periodic inspection is recommended. Then code faults, but your customer has not asked you to go around the house yet reporting potential faults?

You only need to asses the board change and then issue an EIC for the work your doing, which will be the change of the CU.

Maybe I've read you OP wrong

Des 56 · Oct 23, 2011

telectrix said:
there is however , a serious safety issue here. imagine the scenario of an elderly lady, say 76-80 years of age, doing a bit of arc welding in her attic. when the 6A MCB tripped, she would have no lights and might fall down the loft hatch in:6: the dark. something about division of circuits? the socket should be on a dedicated 40Acircuit.:56:

She may be wise to have a stand bye 12 volt car battery and a car headlamp

With a bit of welding skill she should have a descent welder and light to get on with if the 40 amp mcb should ever pack up

The charger will of course run off a socket spurred off the lights,which could be labelled to suit

telectrix · Oct 23, 2011

but then again, she'd probably be so high on her home grown cannabis, that the fall wouldn't hurt her.

Paul.M · Oct 23, 2011

Just put a none matained em light at the top of the loft hatch just incase

.

cjp1 · Oct 23, 2011

What will she do If she takes on more work and needs to upgrade her welder to a 3-phase unit in the future ? does this allow for future expansion?

telectrix · Oct 23, 2011

tap into next door, both sides, through the loft. bit of luck her neighbours will be on different phases. ( and i will continue to use the word "phase", as "line" is a mark on the wall where you are fitting a socket, etc., or a line of coke.