Shaver Point - RCD

[Spazz]

I have already looked in the regs, but cant find what Im looking for as I not sure if they apply to this:
Just been asked for a price for installing a mirror on a bathroom wall. There is a shaver point there now, so that will have to come away.

I know that if this new mirror has a shaver point on it then I can use the cable and circuit from the shaver point - and if its just a light I need to see the circuit the shaver point is on and make sure I use a 6A circuit.

What I am not sure about is if the property does not have a RCD do I have to insist with one being fitted. Of course I would be trying to get them to have an RCD fitted anyway.

 

[Octopus]

If all you are doing is changing 1 accessory for another then the RCD is not essential, however as its a bathroom it would be good practice, IMHO, to raise the issue with the client.

 

[Spazz]

Thanks Murdoch - I just wanted to check as I was not sure as it is changing an item for different item, it might have to go on the lighting circuit if it don't have a shaver point, but we will see.

I always try and get the customer to put an RCD in their house (everyone knows what I think of RCDs - they are life savers).

 

[Octopus]

Others may have conflicting views though!

 

[Rockingit]

Hmmm....off the top of my head, as the shaver point is an isolated supply I would think it's exempt from needing an RCD in a bathroom (though not the cable of course if you were installing it from scratch). As said, if it's effectively a like for like swap then all's good.

 

[Spazz]

If it is like for like I take its not notifiable even though its in the bathroom

If I have to extend off the lighting circuit (because it only has a light - no shaver point) am I right in saying this is notifiable as its an extension and must be RCD/RCBO protected as its an extension of an existing circuit?

 

[Octopus]

If it is like for like I take its not notifiable even though its in the bathroom

If I have to extend off the lighting circuit (because it only has a light - no shaver point) am I right in saying this is notifiable as its an extension and must be RCD/RCBO protected as its an extension of an existing circuit?

Yes....

 

[Darkwood]

i would be inclined to interupt the circuit and fit a high level rcd spur, if not you will need to check that the bathroom bonding is in compliance meets requirements for bathroom circuits not covered by a rcd, i would say what your doing is bordering on a grey area as its special location but your only really changing like for like (well similar).

 

[needasparks]

I'm with darkwood on this, bit close to the regs on this and would always push the rcd route for the sake of the extra cost. if bonding was in place might be different story as a minimum.

 

[Darkwood]

Heres the catch 22... if you fit a rcd spur you effectively have made an addition/alteration to the circuit and thus its notifiable but seriously i think you can relax the need to notify on this occasion

 

[Spazz]

To be honest - notifying jobs does not bother me!

it only costs £2.50 and I still got some free credits with NAPIT.
I always push for an RCD if not fitted, if an RCD is fitted then I offer a free RCD test - for the sake to 1 min of work its might bring in some extra work. I have checked 4 RCDs in last week and they all close to limits - still waiting for them to say replace them - 1 failed again still waiting for them to say ok - do the work.

 

[Guitarist]

I have already looked in the regs, but cant find what Im looking for as I not sure if they apply to this:
Just been asked for a price for installing a mirror on a bathroom wall. There is a shaver point there now, so that will have to come away.

I know that if this new mirror has a shaver point on it then I can use the cable and circuit from the shaver point - and if its just a light I need to see the circuit the shaver point is on and make sure I use a 6A circuit.

What I am not sure about is if the property does not have a RCD do I have to insist with one being fitted. Of course I would be trying to get them to have an RCD fitted anyway.

Not sure what you are saying here. Whether the mirror has a shaver socket or not, it will most likely need to be fed from a 3A FCU (regardless of whether it is from the lighting circuit or the RFC). Until you see the manufacturers instructions it's hard to know.

 

[Spazz]

I have seen some some shaver units on 2.5 T&E on the Socket ring circuit (32A) before.

Im hoping to go down to see it tomorrow and work out what circuit its on, have a look at the instructions, etc.

I was mainly checking does it have to be RCD or not as I was not sure as I didn't think a RCD would pick up any problems with (even water splashing on) the shaver socket.

 

[Guitarist]

As others have said, it's a grey area. You would not be changing the circuit characteristics by changing a shaver socket for an FCU, but you would be carrying out work in a special location and technically not changing "like-for like".

 

[Darkwood]

I see your thinking but you must also remember the the fitting/mirror has a 230v side and its this side that may pose the danger if IP rating breaks down, they change the lamp or they bang a nail in wall to hang a pic of grandma :Oo