led spot lights

[m1ck_b87]

Hi all

Is it perfectly acceptable to have a 230v mains socket under the bath to power some low voltage led spot lights around the bath panel or has any 1 else got a better idea

 

[diditrain]

Have you not asked your scheme provider for their take on this?

 

[Badged01]

with the regs regarding no socket within 3m ...

i have a socket on my landing that is less than 3 meters away from my bath, does that now not comply !??!


Thats OK as long as its outside the 'special location' -- otherwise we'd all be worrrying about sockets etc ... on the walls in the lounge/kitchen beneath the bath/shower.

 

[Badged01]

Unfortunately Sparky regs dont say that at all. All they say is ...

1) Space under bath is outside zones if accessible with tool (no mention of sockets being specifically allowed) ---- 701.323.3

2) Sockets are prohibited within 3m of edge of zone 1 (Only sockets specifically allowed are SELV/shaver sockets .. not even waterproof sockets to IP whatever get a mention ) --- 701.512.3

Regs are open to interpretation but in our "no-win no-fee" culture you may be hard pressed to defend yourself if anything did happen due to that socket you put under the bath. Unless you are a builder who hasnt supplied any paperwork for it so they cant pin it on you!

 

[stuartcourt]

Unfortunately Sparky regs dont say that at all. All they say is ...

1) Space under bath is outside zones if accessible with tool (no mention of sockets being specifically allowed) ---- 701.323.3

2) Sockets are prohibited within 3m of edge of zone 1 (Only sockets specifically allowed are SELV/shaver sockets .. not even waterproof sockets to IP whatever get a mention ) --- 701.512.3

Regs are open to interpretation but in our "no-win no-fee" culture you may be hard pressed to defend yourself if anything did happen due to that socket you put under the bath. Unless you are a builder who hasnt supplied any paperwork for it so they cant pin it on you!

and outside the zone so easy to defend

 

[stuartcourt]

with the regs regarding no socket within 3m ...

i have a socket on my landing that is less than 3 meters away from my bath, does that now not comply !??!


Thats OK as long as its outside the 'special location' -- otherwise we'd all be worrrying about sockets etc ... on the walls in the lounge/kitchen beneath the bath/shower.

we are talking about a socket outside the zones beneath a bath

 

[forestjay]

I think you've got to use your initiative on this one. A socket outlet is fine located under a bath but this a last result wouldn't mount it near taps or drains and ensure its RCD protected!!!!
As said above mounting it under a bath has the same possibilities of getting water in it than any other accessories through the house

 

[Badged01]

The problem is that the bath is in a "special location" so even though underneath the bath is outside the pescribed zones, the underneath area on the floor is still in the special location (bathroom) -- hence no sockets within 3m of the edge of zone 1 applies, regardless of under the bath being outside the zones!

Outside the bathroom is not in the "special location" so the 3m rule doesnt apply -- hence sockets on the lounge/kitchen wall can be within 3m of the bathroom floor/zone1.

Im not the sharpest of minds so Ive no doubt a whizz kid lawyer would soon pick to pieces a defence of the electric shock isnt my problem because the socket was installed under the bath out of the zones?

Ultimately you interprete the regs as you see them and thats the best you can be expeted to do. All I can say is my interpretation of the regs would stop me installing a socket under a bath, especially incase something did happened and the "no win, no fee" lawyers came calling with a copy of my Part P certification for the work!.

 

[driverman]

Ok, as mentioned under bath is out of zone as long as tools are required to remove panel. What about when 203v pumps are installed directly under the bath for jacuzzis? They are usually installed there by a fused spur which is then switched outside the bathroom /airing cupboard etc. I'm sure some installers use a socket and just plug in the pump and switch the socket from outside the bathroom /airing cupboard.

- - - Updated - - -

Ok, as mentioned under bath is out of zone as long as tools are required to remove panel. What about when 203v pumps are installed directly under the bath for jacuzzis? They are usually installed there by a fused spur which is then switched outside the bathroom /airing cupboard etc. I'm sure some installers use a socket and just plug in the pump and switch the socket from outside the bathroom /airing cupboard.