Switched FCU in a bathroom?

[Justasking117]

Hi guys,

I've just had some refurbishment work done in my property and unfortunately the builders have run off. As a result the local building control department have had an eicr carried out and one of the points raised was the builders extended the ring straight into a shaver socket then onto a tooth brush holder then onto an illuminated mirror in my bathroom.

They have advised there is no fcu or point of isolation, my new electrician has said we could convert the shaver socket into a switched fcu, is this permissable? It would be outside the zones???

It just doesn't seem right to me, but I completely agree with him it would seem the option with the least disruption.

Many thanks in advance,

Martin

 

[westward10]

When you say extended the ring are they all connected from a single spur.

 

[Justasking117]

When you say extended the ring are they all connected from a single spur.

Hi,

I'm told the ring main wires go straight into the shaver socket ( e.g. two wires), then one wire to the tooth brush charger (from the shaver socket) and another from the toothbrush to the mirror.

 

[westward10]

Do you know what the EICR actually stated.

 

[Justasking117]

Do you know what the EICR actually stated.

Hi,

Yes ; Unable to locate spurs to down rate supply to bathroom light,

However bathroom light is fed from shaver socket then toothbrush holder then finally light, by light they mean bathroom wall cabinet light

 

[westward10]

Sounds like a multiple outlet spur. Strictly speaking anything connected from a ring final circuit should comply to BS1363 which none of yours do. More importantly though it is a multiple outlet spur which requires a suitable means of protection by way of a BS1363 fuse connection unit. It is possible this is in place but cannot be found.

 

[Justasking117]

Sounds like a multiple outlet spur. Strictly speaking anything connected from a ring final circuit should comply to BS1363 which none of yours do. More importantly though it is a multiple outlet spur which requires a suitable means of protection by way of a BS1363 fuse connection unit. It is possible this is in place but cannot be found.

Thanks for doing such a comprehensive reply!

Assuming it is not present as it's a fairly small house, are they able to convert the shaver socket to a switched fcu?

 

[Justasking117]

Thanks for doing such a comprehensive reply!

Assuming it is not present as it's a fairly small house, are they able to convert the shaver socket to a switched fcu?

And ultimately have the fcu located in the bathroom but outside the zones?

 

[Wilko]

Hi - a switched FCU may be installed if it’s outside zones 0, 1 and 2 (from Reg 701.512.3, if I’m reading it right). Personally I’d try harder to find another way to feed these accessories rather than give up my shaver spot. If the wall it’s on is internal you could look at putting the FCU on the other side and come back into the bathroom to feed them, if that makes any sense.

 

[DefyG]

If the wall it’s on is internal you could look at putting the FCU on the other side and come back into the bathroom to feed them, if that makes any sense.

If not internal then alongside the shaver socket so as not to lose the shaver socket.

are they able to convert the shaver socket to a switched fcu?

Doesn't need to be switched, just fused as Wilko indicated (FCU), but all needs to be RCD protected, assuming it is as not mentioned on EICR?

 

[Justasking117]

Hi all,

I just wanted to say thank you for all your positive comments.

In the end we went for a switched fused connection unit on the outside of the bathroom wall.

Thanks again ??