C. U. Position

boberty · Oct 22, 2011

Hi all, I'm currently doing a refurb and have just found out where the client is wanting the c.u. positioning. He is wanting it mounting in the downstaires shower room, it will 2meters above floor hieght and 1.5 from edge of shower. Now i know it is outside of any zones but, thihk it may need moving further or boxing in due to table 8.1 on page 70 of osg. Which does mention sockets to be 3meters away from zone1. I was thinking of getting the c.u. boxed in then there is less chance for water to enter, and it will keep the splinter technition busy. Only other worry is main bethroom is above. lol:willy_nilly:Any ideas warmly welcomed, thank you in advance. rob

malcolmsanford · Oct 22, 2011

You have to make sure your out of the zones 0 and 1 to really have an argument for installing the CU in this room. So that 2m height must be above 2.25 metres from floor level .

IMO even in a cupboard it's not ideal and even trying to justify reg 701.32.3 can not be satisfied really unless you install it under the bath, not a good idea.

IF you definitely outside zone 0 and 1 then you can go ahead with the install. Even outside zones 0 and 1 you will have to insist on IPX4 protection which is over the normal IPXXB or IP2X of a CU cover. So this must IMO be fittied into an enclosure that will afford this protection.

Engineer54 · Oct 22, 2011

Some people are just complete and utter Muppet's aren't they!!! Not even a half wit would think about mounting a CU in a ''Shower Room''. Personally i would refuse point blank of mounting a CU in such a location...

mattmoo1974 · Oct 22, 2011

Just say to him the correct IP rated ccu would cost him £1000 + the dreaded!! im sure he ll soon move it some where more reasonable..
I wouldnt fit it even in a cupboard far to much water about..

telectrix · Oct 22, 2011

is the client australian?

Richard Burns · Oct 22, 2011

This is a very silly idea, there is a recent thread here debating the sense of putting plate switches in bathrooms, let alone CUs. Not a sensible idea at all.
I think you could state this would be against the regulations since all circuits in a bathroom must be 30mA RCD protected and the tails could be considered a circuit (electrical equipment supplied from the same origin and with the same OPD) and if you fitted an upfront RCD at the head then this would contravene nuisance tripping requirements.

telectrix · Oct 22, 2011

but, on the other hand, he would have local isolation for the shower, without having to fit one of those dangly pull switches that keep burning out. :54:

Deleted member 26818 · Oct 22, 2011

The minimum IPX4 rating, only applies to zones 1 & 2.
Outside of the zones, which would be anywhere further than 600mm from the bath or shower, the IP rating requirements are as per the general Regulations.
You would have to decide the IP rating based on the environmental conditions and external influences.

boberty · Oct 23, 2011

Will see what monday brings, I'm not totally happy with proposed position but client didn't want it in a kitchen unit, as it would have been. Mind you the original position would have seen it in the unit under the sink!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He might just have to bite the bullit and have it in one of the wall units.

Engineer54 · Oct 23, 2011

boberty said:
Will see what monday brings, I'm not totally happy with proposed position but client didn't want it in a kitchen unit, as it would have been. Mind you the original position would have seen it in the unit under the sink!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He might just have to bite the bullit and have it in one of the wall units.

Neither of these positions are suitable for a CU position are they!! Surely if moving this CU isn't a problem for this installation, a more conventional position can be found that isn't going to be environmentally hazardous for the CU or for those that need access the unit!!!

Deleted member 26818 · Oct 23, 2011

I have just read Richards post.
He is quite correct when he points out that circuits of a location containg a bath or shower will require 30mA RCD protection.
Whilst the Regulations will allow the installation of the CU in the location, the fact that an earth fault on one circuit will affect other circuits would render the installation non-compliant.