Mains Sockets In Bathroom

[JohnW2]

I sometimes wonder if each future edition of BS 7671 is going to reduce the minimum distance by 0.5 m until it’s eventually harmonised to „outside zones“.

Possibly, but, as I've said, I think it's a bit different from other things which are not allowed 'in zones', in that the main concern, is probably not about the proximity of an accessory to water (or 'wet people') but, rather, probably relates to the risk of things like hair dryers being used by people in baths or showers - and such things have fairly long leads.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

Certainly, yet most, if not all other European countries seem to be perfectly happy with sockets much closer to baths and showers than BS 7671 allows. I follow electrical discussions from Germany and the only fatalities in the past fifteen years or so were caused by a combination of ancient installations and either faulty phone chargers with mains potential on the USB side or severe faults (TN-C installation with transposed line and PEN and a grab handle screwed into a wire that should never have been in zone 1.

 

[JohnW2]

Certainly, yet most, if not all other European countries seem to be perfectly happy with sockets much closer to baths and showers than BS 7671 allows. I follow electrical discussions from Germany and the only fatalities in the past fifteen years or so were caused by a combination of ancient installations and either faulty phone chargers with mains potential on the USB side or severe faults (TN-C installation with transposed line and PEN and a grab handle screwed into a wire that should never have been in zone 1.

That doesn't surprise me, but I can also understand the probable thinking behind those who have created the BS7671 rukes - maybe they think (rightly or wrongly) that there are more 'not sensible' people in the UK than elsewhere?

Having said that, many of the electrical regulations in various countries, as well as the UK, appear to be aimed at preventing events (and consequential injuries/deaths) which are incredibly rare - so who knows?

 

[FrodoOne]

Wet Area "Zones" applicable in Australia.

Switches and sockets in wet areas

This advisory note addresses some common non-compliances found when Fair Trading inspectors conduct inspections of electrical metering installations.

www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

 

[securespark]

The whole world believes in planes and trains, and there's ample evidence of their existence.