Discuss Wet Locations in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
No it's not.
The disconnection time for TN systems is stated as 0.4s, regardless of whether it's a wet location or not.
Or for TT systems, 0.2s.
Additional protection is required, by supplementary bonding and/or RCD rated at 30mA.
The wet locations as laid out in BS7671 would be either rooms containing a bath or shower, or swimming pools, or saunas. Each of these locations has its own chapter dealing with specifics for those locations.
Interesting questions raised.
In the case of a bathroom, which is classed as a special location, the purpose of the supplementary bonding is to ensure that any simultaneously accessible exposed or extraneous conductive parts are at the same potential, thus minimising shock risk to a person with damp skin who happens to touch more than one such item at the same time.
The other locations you mention, basements, kitchens etc are not specifically classed as wet locations. In which case, the general rules of BS7671 apply, ie automatic disconnection, selection and erection of equipment according to the nature of external influences, etc.
Construction sites have their own rules, either limiting voltage to reduced low voltage (55V to earth), and or the use of RCDs.
I'm sure all the bases are covered one way or another
But it's not 0.4s disconnection time.Any idea why they would not be classed? Is bonding typical in UK bathrooms? Particularly the floor rebar?
A person does not have to touch two objects at the same time (I assume you mean hand to hand here) as they are standing on the floor. Hand to foot is about 200 ohms. At 115 volts this comes to 575 milli-amps. A 0.4 second disconnection time puts a person in that AC 4.2 section of the IEC 60479-1 body graph- 50% probability of ventricular fibrillation.
Under the NEC these areas are required to have GFCI protection in that back in the day ungrounded appliances were documented as resulting in electrocutions at 120 volts.
Hand to foot is about 200 ohms. At 115 volts this comes to 575 milli-amps. A 0.4 second disconnection time puts a person in that AC 4.2 section of the IEC 60479-1 body graph- 50% probability of ventricular fibrillation.
I think I disagree! My 18th Edition course said normal switches ok outside zones and if you have a palatial bathroom and can achieve 3m outside zone 1 a socket is ok too.It's worthy of comment that when risk assessing this situation in a bathroom, comparing with other countries' regulations, the UK does not and never has permitted normal electrical outlets or switches in a bathroom.
But it's not 0.4s disconnection time.
Locations containing a bath or shower (or pool) must have rcd protection, that's usually <40ms disconnection time.
There is no concept of "wet areas" or bathrooms/kitchens/utility rooms in bs7671 - it's whether the Location contains a bath or shower, outside of this bath/shower zone it's just like any other room.
In reality in every residence pretty much all circuits end up having rcd protection, so every area has <40ms disconnection time for earth faults
Yes indeed, sloppy posting on my part. I should have said permitted in bathroom zones now and previously did not permit at all. In reality you will not see a socket or rocker switch in a normal bathroom.
No sockets in UK bathrooms? Why not? And why not rocker switches?
Your original question answers this!No sockets in UK bathrooms? Why not? And why not rocker switches?
Add an iffy extension lead and you can have the Horror movie with the toaster in the bath!No sockets in UK bathrooms? Why not?
Never have seen one and never would fit oneRubbish. Normal switches have always been allowed in UK bathrooms, and I've fitted plenty of them. The old regulation was "not in reach of a person using a shower or bath", which is more than the current zone 1 600mm.
Suitable for the environment is another argument, but Crabtree issued guidance, when they introduced the 4000 series, that they were suitable.
Seen plenty, especially in commercial sector. Fitted some too.Never have seen one and never would fit one
People getting out of the bath dripping wet, and combined with a possibly damp/steamy atmosphere.
Your original question answers this!
Add an iffy extension lead and you can have the Horror movie with the toaster in the bath!
Switches in most domestic situation tend to be on the outside ??Seen plenty, especially in commercial sector. Fitted some too.
JW has strong views on the "manky string" variety!
Yes, in my en-suite at home someone did that.Switches in most domestic situation tend to be on the outside ??
Hopefully common sense!What stops someone from taking power from the hall receptacle?
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